Mayhem Festival Returns in 2024 with Bad Omens, Poppy, Jinjer

2024-06-04

Jinjer. Here's what to expect from the latest edition of the annual event, as Mayhem Festival returns this October.

Jinjer. Here’s what to expect from the latest edition of the annual event, as Mayhem Festival returns this October. – Story by Cat Badra, photo by Alina Chernohor

It’s been years since the Mayhem Festival was a thing. Since 2015, to be exact. But, the festival has officially announced its return in 2014. It’s not like it used to be, though, so get ready for some major Mayhem Festival changes. So, the buzz was true. Here’s what to expect from the latest edition of the annual event, as Mayhem Festival returns this October.

Mayhem Festival Returns in 2024

The 2024 Mayhem Festival returns as a one-day event on Oct. 12, 2024, at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. This is a major change from previous years, because the festival used to always be a touring festival. The good news is that according to organizers, Mayhem will return as a traveling festival in 2025.

What’s also different from previous Mayhem Festivals is the lineup. Mayhem used to consist of a range of old school metal bands, such as Slayer and King Diamond, along with up-and-comers. This year’s lineup consists of paining younger bands, although a few classic bands are in the mix. The 2024 lineup features Bad Omens, Parkway Drive, Poppy, Architects, Jinjer, Kittie, August Burns Red, We Came As Romans, Suicide Silence, After the Burial, Born of Osiris, Seven Hours After Violet, Darkest Hour, Unearth, Holy Wars and more.

For early access to tickets, fans can sign up at the festival’s official website.

One reason the Mayhem Festival of today is so different from past years is because it has different organizers. John Reese and Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour) founded the original Mayhem Festival in 2008, and it ran from 2008 through 2015 as a tour. Some of the big headlines over the years included Disturbed, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold and Slayer.

Now, the Mayhem Festival event is being overseen by Sumerian Records founder Ash Avildsen. He’s also heading up the first Summer Slaughter tour in five years. So, between the two festivals, Avildsen certainly has his hands full.

I went to Mayhem Festival for several years and enjoyed every minute of it. It’s because of Mayhem that I was able to see bands such as Motorhead, Amon Amarth, King Diamond and Rob Zombie. I’m extremely happy to see it return, but I would also like to see organizers branch out and book more non-Sumerian Records bands. There are so many great heavy metal bands that the world needs to see, and Mayhem is a great way for them to get out there and perform live. Here’s to many more years of successful Mayhem Festivals to come.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Metal, Music, Rock News

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