Temperatures in the upper 90s
didn’t keep people away from Discovery Park last weekend for the
14th annual Aftershock, arguably the most economically
significant music festival in the Capital Region. This year’s
event drew a record-breaking 180,000 attendees, who braved the
unseasonable October heat to see blockbuster bands like My
Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit and the Wu-Tang Clan (alongside a
lineup of dozens of other artists of varying levels of
fame).
According to Mike Testa,
president and CEO of Visit Sacramento, Aftershock reliably
generates tens of millions of dollars for the local economy, with
hotels booked out by visitors from well beyond Sacramento.
Speaking to Comstock’s for
a 2025 feature story,
he said that over two-thirds of Aftershock attendees come from
outside the Capital Region and that the most recent event had
generated $31 million for the economy.
But that sum didn’t include what
attendees spent on their clothing — and as photographer Gabriel
Teague discovered, many attendees invest major time and energy
into what they wear to see their favorite bands. That doesn’t
necessarily mean that they shell out for their rock regalia,
though. Some who said they spent $1,000 or more on their tickets
made their outfits by hand or cobbled them together from things
they already owned.
And who are these people when
they aren’t dressed as clowns, pirate queens, horned creatures or
Lord Farquaads? Warehouse clerks, state analysts, dental
assistants, logistics workers — all the people who keep our
economy rolling in ways other than spending freely at a music
festival. Whether their day job has them in scrubs or a company
polo, Aftershock gives them a chance to let their alt flags
fly.
Here’s a short selection of some
notable looks from Aftershock 2026. Did we miss yours? Post it
and tag us on Instagram @comstocksmag.
Interview responses have been
edited for length and clarity.
Mario Melgoza (left), chef
from Sacramento
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
The inspiration for my outfit was
my girlfriend. We’re both nerds at heart and play Magic and
D&D together. She’s a very creative person, and when she was
creating her druid outfit it gave me the inspiration to make
mine, which is more like a warlock of metal. Every patch in my
vest was from previous shows I’ve attended over the years.
About how much did you
spend on your outfit and your full Aftershock
experience?
The outfit itself didn’t cost me
any money, mainly because I made it myself with different
trinkets and parts from other costumes I have at home, but it was
definitely time consuming to make. For the festival itself I did
spend over $1,500, but it was worth every penny and I can’t wait
for next year.
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
This outfit is totally different
from what I wear at work. Since I work in a kitchen, I always
wear a chef coat and have to be normal. Aftershock is where I get
to show the real me without judgement from anyone.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
One thing I can say is stay
hydrated and know that everything is expensive as hell. My
girlfriend snuck in some McDonald’s, and that was a great idea.
Always have some ibuprofen with you because it will be needed.
Aftershock is something everyone should experience once in their
life, and my favorite part is seeing the metal community come
together and just love each other.
Heather Frank (right), dental
assistant from Sacramento
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
I play Magic and D&D. I love
making costumes. I’m a druid at heart.
How much did you spend on
your outfit?
I didn’t spend anything for my
outfit. I made the horns from paper mache; the rest was an old
scarf and some odds and ends from around the house. I create
miniatures so I have a lot of supplies. I guess I got the
fishnets from Amazon lol. I made the shoulder pads from
cardboard, newspaper and eyeshadow. I have magnets glued on the
inside so I can make them wings or shoulder pads.
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
I wear scrubs to work. I love
being able to express myself outside of the regular scrub attire.
It can be so depressing to wear the exact same thing to work
every single day, so being able to go outside and express myself
exponentially helps my mental health.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
Everything is expensive. I snuck
in McDonald’s double doubles (double cheeseburgers), and it was
the best decision I have made in my adult life.
Ceasar Figueroa, metal
processing worker from Fresno
Brittney Snoderly, warehouse
clerk from Modesto, and her daughter Nikki
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
I dressed as a clown because I
thought it was cute, and it went with ICP (Insane Clown Posse)
playing that day.
How much did you spend on
your Aftershock experience?
I spent too much for Aftershock
so that my daughter and I would have a good and fun time.
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
At work I wear jeans and a plain
shirt with the company’s logo. The clown costume was more fun and
more me in a sense.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
It was a great experience except
for all the dirt. It won’t stop me from going next year, and
hopefully I’ll have some new outfit/costume ideas.
Jessica Razo, barista from San
Diego, and Adriana, barista from Arizona
Tuesday Morrissey, remarketing
driver from San Jose
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
Femininity and the raw sex appeal
of metal music inspired this battle dress. This dress is made
from 100 percent upcycled denim, upholstery thread and patches
from anywhere I could get my hands on, I have so many more bands
I want to add!
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
I’m actually extremely restricted
in what I wear to work, I work in logistics for a very
conservative company. Beige, beige and more beige.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
I am beyond excited to be able to
share my artwork with whoever sees this. It took many hours of
work, hand stitching and it was certainly a labor of love, so
thank you Comstock’s for spreading the love! (Follow Tuesday
at @disfigured_tuesday.)
Rosa Mendoza, registered
veterinary technician from Vacaville
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
I am a part of a Facebook group
called Moxii: Women of Aftershock. The admin for the group took
the word “moxie” and put her own twist to it. It fits the ladies
who love rock and metal. We plan events, meet ups, talk about
Aftershock experiences, and the music we love. Women supporting
women. A safe place where women can be themselves, a place where
women can express their own individuality. The theme for this
particular day was Rebel Pirates. I went with my own spin to a
gothic rebel pirate theme.
About how much did you
spend on your outfit and your full Aftershock
experience?
These are pieces I had already
owned. The skirt I purchased from Killstar! Highly recommend. The
corset and my skeleton mesh top I had purchased from Temu. The
pirate accessories and thigh high fishnet tights were from
Amazon. The boots were from the TikTok Shop. The pink banana was
a representation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This was also
to let others know that I had trinkets and bracelets to trade.
I’d say I spent an estimated $180-$200 for my outfit. On my
Aftershock experience, I spent an estimated $1300-$1500. That
includes my VIP ticket, my locker, parking pass, food and
beverages. I did not purchase merchandise this year.
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
I am a full-time registered
veterinary technician. I spend five to six days a week in scrubs.
However, I remain my own individual. I maintain my alt girl
aesthetic even in scrubs. I’m the tattooed, pierced, colored-hair
alt girl amongst the group. I embrace it. I embrace my
individuality. I remain authentic.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
Aftershock is certainly one of
the best things I look forward to all year long. My first
Aftershock was in 2023. I went alone without knowing what to
expect. I was nervous and didn’t want to be alone. I learned over
the years that going alone is a way better experience. You’re not
on someone else’s schedule or time but your own. You get your
money’s worth. Not only is it great for mental health, you get to
meet great people. I learned that these are my people. We all
gathered here for the love of rock and metal. I’ve met so many
amazing people along the way. I’ll keep going back to Aftershock
for these types of experiences!
Denise Lazaro, California
state analyst from Sacramento
What was the inspiration
behind your outfit?
I was dressed as a pirate for
Rebel Pirate Day. Throughout the last year, I started a women’s
group called Moxii: Women of Aftershock.
About how much did you
spend on your outfit?
I spent about $30 on my costume.
It is from Amazon. It was a little too big, but I made it work,
and I wore my purple Ozzy (Osbourne) glasses from the Ozzy
tribute day we did last Aftershock. Fishnets are required, and go
with anything, by the way. Somehow, it makes any outfit we put
together complete.
How does this compare to
what you wear to work?
I am a state worker, state of
California, so at work I dress pretty conservatively. Once in a
while, on casual day, I do throw on a ball cap and one of my
favorite rock T-shirts — one of the tamer ones, of course, and
office friendly. But yes, by day a summer dress and sandals is
the go-to. Winter, I like to wear dresses with tights and Doc
Martens with a sweater, or jeans, boots and a blouse with a
sweater. My closet is black. I may have a problem.
Anything else you want
people to know about your experience at
Aftershock?
We started Moxii: Women of
Aftershock this last year. Rosa (Mendoza) is an active
member!
It is a social group for women
that are rock and metal fans. Alternative, goth girls, metalheads
and all of the above and everything in between. It’s meant to
bring the women’s Aftershock or women’s rock community together
in a safe space where we can chat about whatever our heart
desires in private within the group online and in person. We have
grown to almost 1,000 as of today in less than a year. …
I have been attending Aftershock
since the first one in 2012. I have been heavily involved in
social media. I help moderate the main public group that has now
grown to about 50,000 people. It’s a community that is strong
that is close and amazing in spite of some of the issues that
happened this year. We all rely on the fact that most metal heads
are solid, wonderful citizens that have regular jobs and just
love to rock ‘n’ roll mosh and crowd surf with our
friends.
–
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