For as long as people have had radios in their vehicles, music has been an integral part of the car scene. Whether that was at your local car meet, a giant holiday showcase, or even just cruising around with your friends on a Saturday night, you know some sweet tunes are going to be blasting. Now, in the Automotive Industry, there are very few events as prestigious as the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) convention, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, each year. Now, what happens when you combine music and SEMA? You get SEMA Fest.
A perfect blend of high-octane rock and drifting, SEMA Fest brought together four outstanding artists to close out the convention week, all while filling downtime between sets with spirited displays of skill and burning rubber.
This year’s lineup included punk rock legends The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, 311, and The Alive. Each artist brought a different sound, feeding different generations, and creating a night with something for everyone. Personally, Jimmy Eat World never fails to entertain.
Now, the sets themselves were outstanding: sound was perfect, the stage expertly set with not a single bad view from anywhere, and each artist performed pretty much nonstop throughout their entire set. Highlights definitely include constant energy from The Alive, as well as the ethereal sounds of Nick Hexum’s voice leading 311.
As I said before, Jimmy Eat World always plays a flawless show, so absolutely no notes there. I really don’t think they could put on a bad show if they tried. The Offspring proved wholeheartedly why they are legends, with an infectious energy that had everyone moving, even at the end of such a long day. I am pretty sure I even saw a lady in her wheelchair bouncing up and down.
Now, while this was technically a shorter festival, I want to really give a hand to those running it. SEMA Fest was run with machine precision from the view I had. Pretty much every aspect of the schedule was done within a minute of what was posted, and every attendee was given access to that. That means people were easily able to figure out exactly where they needed to be for any given event.
As I said earlier, all the musical acts were punctuated with drifting/donut displays as well as Globe of Death — a 16ft steel sphere where riders go upside down inside — performances. The drift displays were definitely a crowd favorite. The entire safety fence was packed each time you heard the motors start warming up. Some of my favorite views of the night came from this fence line.
Beyond the perfect time management, the management team excelled at keeping the venue clean, with next to no trash on the grounds, clean restrooms, and adequate spacing. With this being a sold-out event, it’s always a question as to whether cleanliness is going to be an issue.
There was plenty of food and beverage options on the grounds, though like every festival, prices were decidedly steep. This would be my only true gripe, and that’s not even something I can really put on any of this team.
All in all, SEMA Fest has solidified its place in the scene. For every music and automotive enthusiast, especially if you are already attending the SEMA convention, this is a stellar blend of entertainment and the best way to end a wonderful week.
After four years of continued success, we can be sure we will be seeing announcements for next year very soon!
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