The Lost Highway Festival returned for its 2nd year Saturday, July 23rd at San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA, beneath the picturesque San Bernardino Mountains where 20,000+ fans came to the grounds for the music and motorcycle festival.
The weekend was a scorcher, dead in the middle of summer (a few months later this year than last years festival in May) but MORE than worthwhile to brave the heat to spend the day checking out the variety of motorcycles, watching some amazing artists both rock and country music entertaining the crowd, and enjoying hours of summer festival fun!
Surrounded by hundreds of custom motorcycles, booths dedicated to anything motorcycle related, ranging from bike insurance companies, bike parts manufacturers, leather goods and everything in between. And there was no lack in beards, tattoos, and classic motorcycles as far as the eyes could see, uniting bikers and music lovers of all genres in one large event.
The festival featured performances from country super stars, Colt Ford, Tyler Farr, Justin Moore and headlining the event, Brantley Gilbert on the festival’s Country Stage. In the rock realm, veteran rock band, Social Distortion, returned for the second year in a row along with performances by Eagles Of Death Metal, Chevy Metal (featuring Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters), Face To Face, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tony Joe White, Paul Cauthen.
Justin Moore and his “Small Town USA” charm were a huge hit with the crowd…getting everyone in the mood with the well-suited “You Look Like I Need A Drink” for a HOT day. But it was his dueling guitar tribute of “Purple Rain,” that gave him the edge from his predecessors Colt Ford and Tyler Farr.
The amphitheater was overflowing with cowboy boots, cut-offs and baseball caps, a massive video screen on stage showing Brantley Gilbert being released from prison as their backdrop. A backstage prayer from the band followed the video truly seizing the packed arena’s attention.
Gilbert a fan favorite, giving them a surprise by bringing Colt Ford out to sing a duet to “Dirt Road Anthem,” written by the pair (a song that became a best seller for Jason Aldean). Gilbert puts on a wonderful live show… his charm is severely contagious…leaving the crowd high on American sprit.
I went mainly for the country music, but wound up getting so much more out of the event than I thought I would. I will defiantly recommend this festival to all my motorcycle & music loving friends.
For the most up to date information, visit the Lost Highway website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
