JERA ON AIR: The Ghost Inside, Motionless In White & More Close Out Last Day

Time flies when you’re having fun, and as a result, we have already arrived at the third and last day of this year’s Jera On Air. The final day of a festival is always bittersweet, as it means that ‘normal life’ is right around the corner, but luckily there were some bands on the docket together to make this last day great.

THE MENZINGERS:

Time flies when you’re having fun, and as a result, we have already arrived at the third and last day of this year’s Jera On Air. The final day of a festival is always bittersweet, as it means that ‘normal life’ is right around the corner, but luckily there were some bands on the docket together to make this last day great.

After seeing the crowd during LANDMVRKS take stage diving to the next level, with one person literally surfing on top of another person while on the hands of the crowd, we went down to the Vulture stage to witness The Menzingers live. For those unfamiliar, The Menzingers are an American punk rock band known for their energetic and heartfelt music. Their sound can be described as a blend of punk, pop punk, and indie rock, with elements of folk and Americana woven into their songs. We went in completely blank and left as fans of the band, as their melodies were catchy and the lyrics storytelling-gold. They have a knack for crafting hooks that stick in your head and lyrics that resonate with listeners on an emotional level and we are here for it. Check out some of the photos made during the set and make sure to check them out if you haven’t already.

ENTER SHIKARI:

Next up were the always exciting to witness Enter Shikari, playing the mainstage for the eagerly awaiting crowd. Enter Shikari shows are known for their interactive nature, with frontman Rou Reynolds frequently engaging with the crowd. The visual aspect of an Enter Shikari show is also an integral part of the experience. The band incorporates vibrant lighting, mesmerizing visuals, and thought-provoking imagery to enhance the overall impact of their performance, this time paired with pyrotechnics and confetti cannons. The energy and excitement that Enter Shikari brought to the stage was palpable, as they delivered a set filled with their signature blend of post-hardcore of all eras of the band. New songs like (pls) set me on fire and familiar, older hits like Labyrinth & Arguing With Thermometers had the crowd ecstatically singing along and moshing with exhilaration. Due to the limited time that the band had on stage, and the many fan favourites throughout the years, Enter Shikari mixed 4 of their songs into 1 remix in, what they called the quickfire round’. The songs that were part of the quickfire round today were Havoc B, Bull, The Last Garrison & the very popular Sorry, You’re Not a Winner. Enter Shikari never disappoint, and today was no exception. Luckily for all of us, they are returning to The Netherlands in February of next year for their biggest headliner show to date. Tickets can be found here.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE:

Seeing Motionless In White live is always a treat and their Jera On Air performance was no exception! The band’s raging energy combined with their haunting melodies and the bewitching spectacle that is their slightly creepy make-up made for a packed tent with people even spilling out, surrounding the outside. The band kicked off their set with Disguise’s title track, immediately captivating the audience and setting the tone for the rest of the show. The latest album Scoring The End Of The World was highly represented with a total of five tracks, including the title track, the aggressive and anthemic Slaughterhouse and Werewolf.

THE GHOST INSIDE:

Closing out the Vulture stage, for some considered to be one of the headliners of the night (including us), was the highly anticipated performance from The Ghost Inside. From moment one onwards, the crowd was captivated by The Ghost Inside’s raw energy and emotional intensity, with half the tent being a non-stop moshpit.

What made this performance truly special, however, was the profound sense of unity and resilience that emanated from the stage. The Ghost Inside’s triumphant return to the stage after their tragic accident was met with overwhelming support, and their gratitude was palpable. Throughout the set, the band members shared heartfelt stories and expressed their appreciation for the fans who stood by them during their darkest times. They radiated strength and determination, delivering their powerful blend of metalcore with a newfound level of conviction. It was truly a remarkable experience witnessing The Ghost Inside’s resilience and the unwavering support of their fans and we hope this sense comes through in the photos in the gallery below.

JERA ON AIR: Sunshine And Highlights On Day Two

After a tumultuous first day, Jera On Air opened its gates again for a second day with more sun, more bands and similar good vibes. Join us as we embark on a journey to relive the highs, the mosh pits, and the melodic fervour of the ecstatic second day.

STRAY FROM THE PATH:

After fighting a losing battle with traffic, we, unfortunately, missed a few acts on the docket but made it just in time to see Stray From The Path take the stage. Stray From The Path‘s energy is undoubtedly infectious, and set the tone for the rest of the set with opener Needful Things, showcasing their explosive mix of hardcore punk and metal. Stray From The Path‘s setlist was a relentless barrage of politically charged anthems, calling out societal injustices and challenging the status quo. Songs like Goodnight Alt-Right and First World Problem Child showcased the band’s unyielding commitment to social commentary, with lyrics that hit hard and resonated with a generation yearning for change. For those sad that they have missed the set from Stray From The Path on Dutch soil or want to witness it again, the band have announced a brand new show later this year in Melkweg.

FEVER 333:

Next up were a band we have seen quite a few times throughout the years and even saw a few weeks ago at Rock Am Ring: FEVER 333. FEVER 333, known for their high-energy performances and powerful socio-political messages, did not disappoint. Their set was a whirlwind of electrifying energy, as lead singer Jason Aalon Butler commanded the stage with his charismatic presence. Armed with a new band to better align with frontman Jason Aalon Butler‘s creative vision, FEVER 333 have newfound energy and a new, custom-made stage that looks incredible. Butler‘s dynamic vocals, combined with the band’s infectious blend of punk rock, hip-hop, and hardcore, created an atmosphere of pure adrenaline that would last throughout the entirety of their set. Get a glimpse of what the show looked like in the gallery below.

SLEEP TOKEN:

As FEVER 333‘s set came to a close, it was time for us to move to the Vulture stage to witness one of the most explosively-rising bands we have witnessed in the scene in recent years: Sleep Token. With their signature look and unknown identities, Sleep Token continues to captivate audiences with their unique blend of atmospheric rock and metal. Their performance at the festival was nothing short of mesmerizing, as they took the audience on a musical journey through ethereal melodies and heavy riffs while looking enigmatic and mysterious on stage. Sleep Token‘s set featured powerful vocals and haunting instrumentals, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that left the audience in awe. This band is rising quickly and are gaining a dedicated following, evident by the sheer amount of merch that the band slung on a day as today. The merch guy had to close up the booth for a bit to grab more t-shirts from the backstage area due to the phenomenal demand. We are ecstatic to have been able to capture the band’s performance through the lens, which you can check out below.

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD:

As the night progressed and the temperature became quite pleasant, Hollywood Undead were next up on the mainstage docket. Hollywood Undead, known for their unique blend of rap rock and alternative metal, brought a high-energy performance that had the crowd on their feet and singing along. Their setlist consisted of popular party songs ranging from old to new, as well as more serious songs including Another Way Out and Hear Me Now. The band’s live show is one of a kind in our scene. The members don’t take themselves too seriously, drinking on stage and genuinely looking like they are having a good time, and yet deliver an absolute powerhouse performance. A few songs in, Hollywood Undead welcomed a fan on stage to play the guitar for them during Comin’ In Hot, taking their engagement to the next level. Hollywood Undead are a fun band to watch and their live performances are a testament to their ability to engage and entertain a crowd and we have also learned today that the band’s popular song Bullet has a fandom on its own. What a mindblowing, ecstatic response from the crowd did that evoke! Check some shots from their performance below.

PAPA ROACH:

For us, the night came to a close with an epic headliner set from the one and only Papa Roach. The band’s been around the block, and even with the popularity from way back when with Last Resort, Scars and Between Angels and Insects, Papa Roach have consistently released impactful music that resonates with fans, young and old. As a result, the Eagle tent was packed beyond its capacity and the festivalgoers were ecstatic to witness the iconic Papa Roach on stage. Kicking off their set with the powerful Kill The Nose, the pyro-filled tone was set for the evening. High-energy, anthemic songs filled the air as Papa Roach delivered hit after hit, igniting nostalgia in long-time fans and garnering new ones with their impressive stage presence. If I were to have one piece of criticism, it would be the ‘many’ covers that the band performed. Several covers were played throughout the 1-hour set, which, although enjoyable, took away from the opportunity to hear more of Papa Roach‘s original material. Halfway through the set, Papa Roach welcomed members from Hollywood Undead on stage to perform the Swerve version they released together.

As the set approached its close, it was time for the most popular song the band ever released to date. Last Resort was the embodiment of Papa Roach‘s enduring legacy—a song that has transcended generations and become a cornerstone of their discography. Jacoby Shaddix, the charismatic frontman, commanded the stage with an irresistible magnetism, pouring his heart and soul into every lyric. The crowd, an amalgamation of dedicated fans and newfound enthusiasts, sang every word back and even FEVER 333 frontman Jason Aalon Butler made an appearance on stage during the last song of the night.

JERA ON AIR: Heavy Line-Up & Rainfall During Epic First Day

Jera On Air has expanded this year, with the first of the 3 days being promoted from a pre-party of sorts to a full-blown festival evening with an insane and heavy-oriented line-up including Lorna Shore, Chelsea Grin and Parkway Drive. Even a forecast of heavy rainfall could not stop the thousands of fans from having an epic first night at JOA 2023.

We are ecstatic to be at Jera On Air again this year to witness proceedings, and our festival experience started with a band that’s been on our bucket list to see live for a long while now: Code Orange.

CODE ORANGE:

Code Orange‘s set at Jera On Air was an intense and chaotic experience. Their unique blend of hardcore punk, industrial, and metal created a sonic assault that pushed the boundaries of the genre. The band’s raw energy and aggression were palpable, with relentless guitar riffs, pounding drums, and anguished vocals. Code Orange’s performance was accompanied by a visually striking stage presence, featuring dynamic lighting and a frenetic atmosphere. The crowd responded with a mixture of headbanging, moshing, and awe, fully immersing themselves in the band’s sonic assault. Code Orange’s set was an uncompromising display of their experimental and abrasive sound. Code Orange perform like no other and you can check out what the set looked like below.

LORNA SHORE:

As the rain morphed the festival grounds into a massive pool of mud, the main stage was packed beyond the tent to witness the greatness that is Lorna Shore. The band have been riding a wave ever since the release of To The Hellfire, followed by the very-well received album Pain Remains and are now playing for massive audiences all across the world. Jera On Air marks the band’s second appearance in the Netherlands since the line-up change, with a third appearance revealed earlier today: the band will be playing at The Rock Circus in November. Lorna Shore left an impression on the rained-down crowd. Their unique blend of deathcore and black metal elements created a dark and haunting atmosphere. The band’s relentless onslaught of heavy riffs and the inhuman vocals of Will Ramos resonated with the crowd. With a setlist consisting of the band’s most popular songs from the EP …And I Return To Nothingness and the aforementioned Pain Remains, Lorna Shore got the crowd going to a bizarre extent. Lorna Shore are something special and we cannot wait to see them again later this year.

THE AMITY AFFLICTION:

The Amity Affliction brought their emotionally charged brand of metalcore to Jera On Air, delivering a set that struck a chord with the crowd. With a perfect blend of melodic hooks and aggressive breakdowns, their performance was both cathartic and energetic. Lead vocalist Joel Birch poured his heart into every lyric, connecting with the audience on a deeply personal level. The band’s anthemic choruses had the crowd singing along, creating a sense of unity and camaraderie. The Amity Affliction’s set was an emotional rollercoaster that left a lasting impact and good news: The Amity Affliction have just announced their return to The Netherlands. The band will be playing a show in Melkweg on the 9th of December.

BILLY TALENT:

PARKWAY DRIVE:

Where in previous years the Thursday of Jera On Air was more of a ‘pre-party’, this year it was a full-blown festival day with an absolute killer line-up including the almighty Parkway Drive as headliner. The Australian metalcore giants delivered an unforgettable experience that left the audience in awe. As we have come to expect from the band, Parkway brought along a truckload of effects. Pyro, fireworks, and loud bangs made for spectacular visuals, as the Eagle tent (mainstage) turned into a whirling pit with many fans taking to the sky on the hands of the crowd.

Throughout the set, Parkway Drive expertly integrated their new material with their classic hits, creating a perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation. Songs like the emotional title track Darker Still and Soul Bleach showcased the band’s growth and maturity, while anthems like Carrion and of course, the iconic Wild Eyes took the crowd on a trip down memory lane, reminding us why Parkway Drive have become an unstoppable force in the metal scene.

Parkway Drive’s headlining set was an absolute triumph, a sonic and visual spectacle that showcased their evolution as musicians while paying homage to their roots. With their explosive pyro, mesmerizing fireworks, stunning lighting design, and impeccable blend of old and new songs, the band solidified their status as one of the most formidable forces in modern metal, as they have for years now. Check out some shots from their performance below.