The INKCARCERATION Music and Tattoo Festival experienced another massively successful year, nearly tripling last year’s inaugural attendance numbers! Now solidified as one of the nation’s premier rock festivals, INKCARCERATION 2019 featured over 30 bands on two outdoor stages, 65 tattoo artists, reformatory tours, gourmet food trucks, the best drinks and for the first time, the haunted house attraction, Escape from Blood Prison.
Nearly 45,000 fans attended year two, which took place from July 12-14 at the historic Ohio State Reformatory, a.k.a. Shawshank Prison, in Mansfield, Ohio. This year’s colossal line-up was headlined by rock royalty – Shinedown, Godsmack, and Five Finger Death Punch – and featured additional performances by +Live+, Taking Back Sunday, Seether, Skillet, I Prevail, Starset, Red Sun Rising, Motionless in White, Fozzy, Buckcherry, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Andrew W.K., P.O.D., Stabbing Westward, Light the Torch, From Ashes to New, Smile Empty Soul, Eyes Set To Kill, Awake at Last, The Funeral Portrait, Kerbera, Raven Black, Rivals, Impending Lies and The Everyday Losers, plus special performances by The Monster Dolls.
INKCARCERATION Music and Tattoo Festival drew in concert goers from nearly all 50 states, and worldwide as far as New Zealand! All three days of the festival – including all camping and VIP – sold out before day two.
Zach Myers of Shinedown says: “Our first time at INKCARCERATION festival was amazing! From the staff to the crowd to the beautiful backdrop of “Shawshank Prison” – we couldn’t have asked for a better day to play rock ‘n’ roll to an amazing group of humans! We were honored to headline Friday night of the second annual festival. We can’t wait to come back!”
Sully Erna of Godsmack says: “We revisited the Mansfield Ohio State Reformatory, where back in 2000 we shot our “Awake” video. We carved the words “Pain is caused by pleasure” on the wall for the video – that is now a permanent part of the building and the guided tours they do there. You can see that same shot in the music video as well. It’s also the same location where “Shawshank Redemption” was filmed, which is one of my all-time favorite movies and why we had chosen this location to begin with. Definitely brought us down memory lane being back there. Thank you all for having us!”
John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday adds: “INKCARCERATION was a lot of fun for us. It’s a great setting for a festival and touring the Ohio State Reformatory was very cool.”
John Cooper of Skillet says: “I absolutely loved being at INKCARCERATION this year! The crowd was electric and the venue location makes it a one-of-a-kind festival.”
Andrew W.K. says: “The INKCARCERATION festival was one of the most unique places I’ve ever partied. Deeply memorable experiences in a location that’s overflowing with intense atmosphere.”
Howard Jones of Light the Torch offers: “INKCARCERATION is the kind of festival that needs to be experienced and not just talked about. Doesn’t matter what music you like, what you look or dress like… there is something for you here. It’s impossible to not have a good time! Make this the last year you miss out – prison has never been so much fun!”
Sean Danielsen of Smile Empty Soul adds: “We had a great time playing INKCARCERATION this year. Besides having a great line-up, the grounds are amazing and it was really interesting exploring the old prison that has so much history and vibe.”
Alanna Schultz of The Monster Dolls says: “The energy at this festival was amazing! The fans, the artists, everyone that helped make the event happen was so positive and honestly, inspiring. That’s monster fuel for us. We love creating stage shows for events that bring so many great people together, and hopefully, we can continue being a part of the event in the future as it continues to grow!”
James Skrtich of Impending Lies adds: “INKCARCERATION was a blast – beginning to end. Every band we met was amazing to talk to. Everyone on the festival crew was nothing but helpful and amazing. Last but not least, all of the fans we met – old and new – were, as always, the best part of the weekend. Without them, the festival is nothing. We appreciate everyone involved and hope to play again next year!”
Tattoo artist Waverly “Wave” Judd of Raditattoo Me Tattoo adds: “There’s still a buzz in the air from INKCARCERATION among guests sharing photos, videos, and stories like a family reunion. INKCARCERATION is a three-day party full of meeting new people in lines and loving them in the pit. We shared the experience as strangers but plan to return as friends. See you on the Yard in 2020!”
