Exhibition Lands Racetrack – Edmonton, AB | July 11, 2025
By Yuri Woodfall | Photojournalist, Soundcheck Entertainment
Growing Pains, Canadian Pride, and Rock Royalty Revival
The skies over Edmonton finally gave summer a proper welcome as thousands gathered for the inaugural Rockin’ Thunder Festival—a bold new player on the city’s rock calendar. With the sun high and denim jackets on deck, the excitement was real… even if the logistics needed a tune-up. Will Call delays and slightly late gates had early fans grumbling, but the crowd’s goodwill was louder than the complaints. After all, rock festivals in this city have been in short supply, and people were ready—desperate—to rock.
Queensrÿche – Prog Precision with Punch
If there was ever a band to kick off a festival with absolute authority, it was Queensrÿche. They wasted zero time launching into a wall of melody and metallic force that wiped away any lingering annoyance from the gate delays.
Todd La Torre of Queensryche at Rockin’ Thunder 2025. Photo by Yuri Woodfall
Vocalist Todd La Torre was electric—arms outstretched, vocals soaring, and presence commanding. Framed against the band’s iconic emblem, he looked like a preacher mid-revival. This was a sermon in shredding.
La Torre’s vocals were near studio-perfect—operatic, precise, and powerful. The band locked in tight, hypnotizing the crowd into a kind of prog-metal trance. Even the casual fans couldn’t help but bang their heads a little.
Revolution Engine – Local Fire, No Filler
Holding their own between two monster acts, Edmonton’s own Revolution Engine delivered a heavy-hitting, pulse-pounding set that kept the energy high and the volume even higher. Their politically charged lyrics, roaring riffs, and no-nonsense delivery grabbed the crowd by the collar and didn’t let go.
Kenny Canoe at Rockin’ Thunder 2025. Photo by Yuri Woodfall
Lead vocalist Kenny Canoe snarling into the mic with veins popping, ink gleaming, and sunlight bouncing off mirrored shades—Revolution Engine didn’t just show up, they erupted.
It was a proud moment for the local scene—proof that Edmonton can crank out bands who deserve that big-stage spotlight. With fists in the air and boots stomping along to the beat, the crowd showed up hard for this hometown powerhouse.
Toque – True North Strong and Shredding
No one waved the Canadian rock flag harder than Todd “Dammit” Kerns, who showed up and showed out like a man with something to prove—though honestly, no proof was needed. Toque roared onto the stage with a high-octane set of homegrown hits that had the crowd nodding and air-guitaring from note one.
Todd Kerns at Rockin’ Thunder 2025. Photo by Yuri Woodfall
Captured mid-stride and mid-sass, Todd channeled pure rockstar energy—black leather, smirking lips, and a Telecaster held like a weapon of national pride.
Their cover of Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night” was a moment—an anthem turned dance break, with a sea of fans belting it out like it was 1984 again. “We’re here to celebrate CANADIAN rock!” Todd beamed—and that he did, with a power stance and hair that defied the wind.
Bret Michaels – The Glam Hammer Falls
Later in the day, Bret Michaels brought the glam, grit, and good times to Rockin’ Thunder. Opening with “Talk Dirty To Me,” Bret didn’t just walk out—he launched, sending the crowd into a hair-flipping, lyric-screaming frenzy.
Bret Michaels at Rockin’ Thunder 2025. Photo by Yuri Woodfall.
Mid-air, bandana flying, fists clenched—Bret delivered pure Poison-era energy exploding across the stage. This is what rockstar cardio looks like. He gave the crowd a little Western Canada love, too—mentioning his wife and kids from Cranbrook, BC. That personal connection, plus the warm intro from “everyone’s favourite host,” Rick the Temp, gave the set a backyard BBQ energy… if your backyard was full of 10,000 people in band tees.
The band was tight, the crowd was loose, and for a stretch of time, it felt like Poison never left the arena circuit.
Final Thoughts
Rockin’ Thunder’s first day had its hiccups, but the music delivered. From prog-metal masters to hometown heroes, patriotic shredders, and glam-rock royalty, Friday proved that Edmonton’s hunger for rock is alive, loud, and ready for more.
And this photographer? Already loading batteries for Day 2.
