The crowd listens to Straight Line Stitch perform on the Extreme Stage during the Mayhem Festival at the San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore. (2011/File Photo)
If you’re headed to the kickoff of the sixth edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival San Manuel Amphitheater on Saturday, June 29, you will need to be prepared–it’s going to be a hot one.
When I say hot, I’m talking triple digits. As of this morning, Devore, where Glen Helen Park is located, looks like it might hit 104 degrees on Saturday, according to Accuweather.
I’m working on my story about Five Finger Death Punch, who have worked their way from being on the side stage of the fest to being one of the big ticket main stage attractions, and I talked to bassist Chris Kael about his festival tips.
Kael boiled it down to three mandates:
1. Wear sunscreen.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Pace yourself.
“You’re gonna miss Rob Zombie if you’re drinking that much,” Kael said. “I don’t care how much you want to see Rob Zombie, you’re drinking that much and not drinking water all day, you’re gonna miss the show,” Kael said.
I’m going to add a couple of my own to this one:
-I know it’s a metal fest, but San Manuel Amphitheater is a big open area. There’s not a lot of shade inside the venue grounds. I wouldn’t wear black. If you’re going to wear black, at least let it be loose-fitting clothing. Leather pants are a REALLY bad idea.
-Keep some extra water bottles in your car. After a long day of being in the sun, you will still be thirsty, even if the water is a balmy 98 degrees at midnight. Also, anyone who has been to San Manuel Amphitheater knows that leaving can take a while. I don’t know how well a cooler would work in the heat, but it might be worth a try.
What are your tips for surviving Mayhem in the heat?
Other artists playing the show include Amon Amarth, Machine Head, Mastodon, Children of Bodom and more.
Gates open at 1 p.m. Saturday. San Manuel Amphitheater is located at 2575 Glen Helen Parkway in Devore. Tickets are still available for the show and range from $35.50-$75, including the fees. You can pick them up at LiveNation.com.
UPDATE: Here’s the link to more from my interview with Chris Kael from Five Finger Death Punch about Mayhem.