MTV Games have turned up the heat on this summer’s concert season by putting Rock Band on the road. The best-selling video game is going mobile and bringing music to the masses – hitting State Fairs across the country and some of this year’s biggest tours and festivals, including Bonnaroo, the Vans Warped Tour and Crüe Fest, to name a few.
So grab your family and friends and live out your own rock ‘n roll fantasies at the following locations:
Rock Band Truck Tour
Rock Band will begin appearing at State Fairs across the country from North Carolina to California, Minnesota to Arizona and everywhere in between. Sponsored by Energizer, Stride Gum and Hot Topic, fans will be able to rock out on main stages that will feature the authentic concert experience complete with lighting and a monster sound system. For example, fans can sign up to participate in the Energizer “Head-to-Head Drum Competition” that will be held on the Rock Band stage at each event. While going head-to-head in the drum competition, contestants will compete for an opportunity to win a “Rock Band” Drum Kit and other gifts courtesy of Energizer. At the same time, Stride will be looking for those who can rock for a ridiculously long time by giving Rock Band stage bands the chance to rock the longest songs in the Rock Band catalog six times every day. Computer kiosks and a merchandise area will also feature Rock Band products, plus a sweepstakes offer.
Crüe Fest
Beginning July 1, fans attending Crüe Fest can become a real rock star for the night with a chance to become the opening act for Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt in each local market. Fans will compete on the Rock Band Second Stage Experience – a 53’ foot trailer that includes practice areas. There will also be classic rock memorabilia courtesy of the Hard Rock Café as part of the Rock Band Second Stage Experience at Crüe Fest. The artists and guests on the tour will also be able to enjoy the game, thanks to a backstage Rock Band VIP lounge with game demo areas. Mötley Crüe, in a first for the music and video game industry , recently released their first single “Saints of Los Angeles” simultaneously on Rock Band in addition to the traditional outlets and sold over 5X the number of downloads on Rock Band than any other platform in its first week.
Jimmy Buffett
Fans attending the Jimmy Buffett tour will be able to play Rock Band on a custom golf cart – the Sharkart – that will make its way to parking lots at each stop, and feature a flat screen monitor and state-of the art sound system. For more information, visit www.margaritaville.com.
Take the Stage
Rock Band will be teaming up with PLAYSTATION 3 at some of this summer's hottest music festivals and events to offer fans the opportunity to channel their inner rock star and Take the Stage to compete for prizes and bragging rights. See below for a list of events where you can Take the Stage.
Vans Warped Tour
For the long-running Vans Warped Tour, Rock Band will partner with Xbox and 20th Century Fox as part of a promotion geared around the film studio’s upcoming comedy, The Rocker, which features Rock Band in the movie. In between sets by bands such as Gym Class Heroes and Motion City Soundtrack, kids can visit a 40 x 40 branded tent with four gaming stations and a special Rocker-themed stage where they can compete for fun and prizes.
Rock Band can be found at the following events throughout the Summer:
*AST Dew Tour
Now – October
Select cities
N/A
*Brooks & Dunn
Now – 10/5
38 US Dates
Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and ZZ Top (select dates)
*Jimmy Buffett Tour
Now – 10/25
20 US Dates
Jimmy Buffett
Vans Warped Tour
Now – 8/17
US & Canada
Against Me!, Danger Radio, and Gym Class Heroes, Rise Against for Aug. 6-17 only
San Diego County Fair
6/19 – 7/6
San Diego, CA
*Summerfest
6/26 – 7/6
Milwaukee, WS
STP, Alicia Keys, Steve Miller Band, Tim McGraw, John Mayer
Crüe Fest
7/2 – 9/30
US & Canada
Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx A.M., Trapt
Rocklahoma
7/10 – 7/13
Tulsa, OK
Triumph, Poison, Trixter, Lita Ford, Warrant, Enuff Z’nuff, Tesla
Orange County Fair
7/15 – 8/3
Costa Mesa, CA
Ohio State Fair
7/30 – 8/4
Columbus, OH
*Lollapalooza
8/1 – 8/3
Chicago, IL
Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Wilco, NIN, Gnarls Barkley, Love & Rockets, Bloc Party
Western Montana Fair
8/5 – 8/10
Missoula, MT
Iowa State Fair
8/7 – 8/17
West Allis, IA
*All Points West
8/8 – 8/10
New York, NY
Radiohead, Jack Johnson, Cat Power, Chromeo, Secret Machines
California Expo
8/15 – 8/31
Sacramento, CA
Minnesota State Fair
8/21 – 9/1
St. Paul, MN
Los Angeles County Fair
9/5 – 9/7
Pomona, CA
Oklahoma State Fair
9/11 – 9/21
Oklahoma City, OK
Eastern States Exhibition
9/12 – 9/28
Springfield, MA
Texas State Fair
9/26 – 10/13
Dallas, TX
Mississippi State Fair
10/3 – 10/12
Jackson, MS
North Carolina State Fair
10/16 – 10/26
Raleigh, NC
Arizona State Fair
10/17 – 10/26
Phoenix, AZ
*Take the Stage with PlayStation events
Rock Band, praised by Rolling Stone for its “groundbreaking” game play, has already made its presence felt on this year’s concert circuit, having appeared at the Flyleaf – Seether Tour, Bamboozle, Rock on the Range and Sasquatch Festival. Through a variety of promotions and special offers, the game is amplifying the concert experience by offering ticket buyers a chance to interact with music like never before.