Bret Michaels and Dee Snider in New York City.
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Fans of 80s hairbands like Poison, Cinderella and Twisted Sister have a date to mark on the calendar next month. I've never been to Rokisland Fest, but I get tempted to bust out the plastic every year to go. The 2024 lineup features some of the biggest of the big hair era.
Rokisland Fest kicks off January 16, 2024 in Key West. It’s 5 days of big hair and lighters in the air. It’s not cheap. Your credit card will definitely get a work out with prices for a 4 day pass STARTING at about $500… and that’s before you figure in hotel and transportation costs. And for those who know Key West, you’re lucky to find anyplace decent for under $300 a night.
Bret Michaels and Dee Snider in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Here's the daily lineup in case you just want to head down to Key West to catch one night of the festival.
Tuesday, January 16
The kick off party will be at Sunset Pier with Kip Winger, Adam & The Metal Hawks and Paralandra.
Wednesday, January 17
The official night 1 features Wig Wam, Winger, Mr. Big and Night Ranger at Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
Thursday, January 18
See E'nuff Z'nuff, LA Guns, Don Felder from the Eagles and Tom Keifer of Cinderella at Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
Friday, January 19
This is the day I'd want to see most. Trixter, Jefferson Starship, Lou Gramm from Foreigner, Dee Snider from Twisted Sister and Poison's Bret Michaels play Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
Sunday, January 20
The festival wraps up with some great 90s rock with Bowling For Soup, Lit, Buckcherry and Stone Temple Pilots at Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
Honestly... the people watching was just as much fun as what was going on on the stage!
When you're too indecisive to pick one band's shirt.
Jorts count was up to 20 before we even walked in.
Bad day?
As I said at the beginning, the people watching was just as entertaining as watching what was going on on the stage.
Not the start to the day we were hoping for. Fortunately it was a short-lived typical Florida storm.
Now it feels like 1989... until...
... you see the prices of 2022.
It wasn't just Poison.
Motley Crue wasn't offering any bargains either.
My high school pal Scott was a HUGE Poison fan. WWE fans may remember him as "Scotty Too Hotty."
The Westbrook High School reunion continued. This was my first time seeing Jen in 30 years. We grew up in Maine, but that's no excuse. We both live in Pinellas!
Captain Jack Sparrow or Keith Richards?
The younger generation in attendance gave it their best shot but they looked more like drag queens than 80s rock stars.
You caption this one.
I love Rock 'n Roll!
The Stadium Tour in Orlando 013
Joan Jett performed all her classics. Really wish I would've gone to her solo show now at the Hard Rock in Tampa this past spring.
Unskinny Bop Bop Bop Bop
CC Deville's new look!
Talk dirty to meeeeee yeah!
Bret Michaels really seemed to be the one enjoying himself the most. Maybe it's forced or an act, but it's infectious.
CC!
Since nobody brings lighters anymore, the big screens had 'em.
Poison really had the best performance of the day. Big energy.
Selling CD's!? I asked if he had cassettes because I hadn't upgraded to compact disc yet.
Apparently the shirt was wrong.
Motley Crue time!
Shout at the devilllllll!
Nick Mars... still going!
Crue!
Tommy Lee came out from behind the drums to apologize and let everyone know he's taking the rest of the night off because he hurt his ribs.
Girl Don't Go Away Mad... just go away!
Vince's vocals are notoriously lackluster. But when you're at a Crue show, the lights, lasers and rest of the band kind of distract from Vince's karaoke-level effort.
Lights in the air for "Home Sweet Home"
Crue sets are always wild.
Thank you and goodnight.
Def Leppard time!
Def Leppard's light show and video presentation were less wild than Crue's.
Joe's vocals were better than Vince's, but he didn't seem nearly as into performing as Bret Michaels did.
Animal!
Def Leppard was good, not great. Better than Crue but Poison really stole the show.
Good night from Orlando!
