The lines between hardcore, heavy metal, and hip-hop beg for blurring. Their parallel and frequently shared genre histories have transcended 20th century origins and, nearly two full decades into this century, remain some of the most vital contemporary sounds. Yet where generational predecessors often expressed a reluctance around crossover, the youth of today appear disinterested in and dismissive of the divisional hangups of old school gatekeepers. Despite grumbling from those scene elders, a fresh crop of artists have made the 2010s a radical time for crossover, both aesthetically as well as musically.
As such, the time seems ideal for a tour like Grey Day. The traveling summer festival showcases a lineup of acts representative of the aforementioned genres, offering artists and fans alike the opportunity to continue defying the strict sonic distinctions that formerly preoccupied too much of our time. While the roster varies somewhat from date to date, here’s a who’s who guide to the rappers and rockers hitting the stage in the coming weeks for what promises to be an epic live music event.