{"id":490677,"date":"2026-10-09T19:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T19:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/490677\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T19:24:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T19:24:14","slug":"heres-what-people-wore-to-aftershock-in-an-october-heat-wave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/490677\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s What People Wore to Aftershock in an October Heat Wave"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n Temperatures in the upper 90s
\n didn\u2019t keep people away from Discovery Park last weekend for the
\n 14th annual Aftershock, arguably the most economically
\n significant music festival in the Capital Region. This year\u2019s
\n event drew a record-breaking 180,000 attendees, who braved the
\n unseasonable October heat to see blockbuster bands like My
\n Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit and the Wu-Tang Clan (alongside a
\n lineup of dozens of other artists of varying levels of
\n fame).\n<\/p>\n

\n According to Mike Testa,
\n president and CEO of Visit Sacramento, Aftershock reliably
\n generates tens of millions of dollars for the local economy, with
\n hotels booked out by visitors from well beyond Sacramento.
\n Speaking to Comstock\u2019s for
\n a 2025 feature story<\/a>,
\n he said that over two-thirds of Aftershock attendees come from
\n outside the Capital Region and that the most recent event had
\n generated $31 million for the economy.\n<\/p>\n

\n But that sum didn\u2019t include what
\n attendees spent on their clothing \u2014 and as photographer Gabriel
\n Teague discovered, many attendees invest major time and energy
\n into what they wear to see their favorite bands. That doesn\u2019t
\n necessarily mean that they shell out for their rock regalia,
\n though. Some who said they spent $1,000 or more on their tickets
\n made their outfits by hand or cobbled them together from things
\n they already owned.\n<\/p>\n

\n And who are these people when
\n they aren\u2019t dressed as clowns, pirate queens, horned creatures or
\n Lord Farquaads? Warehouse clerks, state analysts, dental
\n assistants, logistics workers \u2014 all the people who keep our
\n economy rolling in ways other than spending freely at a music
\n festival. Whether their day job has them in scrubs or a company
\n polo, Aftershock gives them a chance to let their alt flags
\n fly.\n<\/p>\n

\n Here\u2019s a short selection of some
\n notable looks from Aftershock 2026. Did we miss yours? Post it
\n and tag us on Instagram @comstocksmag.\n<\/p>\n

\n Interview responses have been
\n edited for length and clarity.\n<\/p>\n

Mario Melgoza (left), chef
\n from Sacramento<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n The inspiration for my outfit was
\n my girlfriend. We\u2019re both nerds at heart and play Magic and
\n D&D together. She\u2019s a very creative person, and when she was
\n creating her druid outfit it gave me the inspiration to make
\n mine, which is more like a warlock of metal. Every patch in my
\n vest was from previous shows I\u2019ve attended over the years.\n<\/p>\n

\n About how much did you
\n spend on your outfit and your full Aftershock
\n experience?\n<\/p>\n

\n The outfit itself didn\u2019t cost me
\n any money, mainly because I made it myself with different
\n trinkets and parts from other costumes I have at home, but it was
\n definitely time consuming to make. For the festival itself I did
\n spend over $1,500, but it was worth every penny and I can\u2019t wait
\n for next year.\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n This outfit is totally different
\n from what I wear at work. Since I work in a kitchen, I always
\n wear a chef coat and have to be normal. Aftershock is where I get
\n to show the real me without judgement from anyone.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n One thing I can say is stay
\n hydrated and know that everything is expensive as hell. My
\n girlfriend snuck in some McDonald\u2019s, and that was a great idea.
\n Always have some ibuprofen with you because it will be needed.
\n Aftershock is something everyone should experience once in their
\n life, and my favorite part is seeing the metal community come
\n together and just love each other.\n<\/p>\n

Heather Frank (right), dental
\n assistant from Sacramento<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I play Magic and D&D. I love
\n making costumes. I\u2019m a druid at heart.\n<\/p>\n

\n How much did you spend on
\n your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I didn\u2019t spend anything for my
\n outfit. I made the horns from paper mache; the rest was an old
\n scarf and some odds and ends from around the house. I create
\n miniatures so I have a lot of supplies. I guess I got the
\n fishnets from Amazon lol. I made the shoulder pads from
\n cardboard, newspaper and eyeshadow. I have magnets glued on the
\n inside so I can make them wings or shoulder pads.\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n I wear scrubs to work. I love
\n being able to express myself outside of the regular scrub attire.
\n It can be so depressing to wear the exact same thing to work
\n every single day, so being able to go outside and express myself
\n exponentially helps my mental health.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n Everything is expensive. I snuck
\n in McDonald\u2019s double doubles (double cheeseburgers), and it was
\n the best decision I have made in my adult life.\n<\/p>\n

Ceasar Figueroa, metal
\n processing worker from Fresno<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Brittney Snoderly, warehouse
\n clerk from Modesto, and her daughter Nikki<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I dressed as a clown because I
\n thought it was cute, and it went with ICP (Insane Clown Posse)
\n playing that day.\n<\/p>\n

\n How much did you spend on
\n your Aftershock experience?\n<\/p>\n

\n I spent too much for Aftershock
\n so that my daughter and I would have a good and fun time.\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n At work I wear jeans and a plain
\n shirt with the company\u2019s logo. The clown costume was more fun and
\n more me in a sense.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n It was a great experience except
\n for all the dirt. It won\u2019t stop me from going next year, and
\n hopefully I\u2019ll have some new outfit\/costume ideas.\n<\/p>\n

Jessica Razo, barista from San
\n Diego, and Adriana, barista from Arizona<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Tuesday Morrissey, remarketing
\n driver from San Jose<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n Femininity and the raw sex appeal
\n of metal music inspired this battle dress. This dress is made
\n from 100 percent upcycled denim, upholstery thread and patches
\n from anywhere I could get my hands on, I have so many more bands
\n I want to add!\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n I\u2019m actually extremely restricted
\n in what I wear to work, I work in logistics for a very
\n conservative company. Beige, beige and more beige.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n I am beyond excited to be able to
\n share my artwork with whoever sees this. It took many hours of
\n work, hand stitching and it was certainly a labor of love, so
\n thank you Comstock\u2019s for spreading the love! (Follow Tuesday
\n at\u00a0@disfigured_tuesday<\/a>.)\n<\/p>\n

Rosa Mendoza, registered
\n veterinary technician from Vacaville<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I am a part of a Facebook group
\n called Moxii: Women of Aftershock. The admin for the group took
\n the word \u201cmoxie\u201d and put her own twist to it. It fits the ladies
\n who love rock and metal. We plan events, meet ups, talk about
\n Aftershock experiences, and the music we love. Women supporting
\n women. A safe place where women can be themselves, a place where
\n women can express their own individuality. The theme for this
\n particular day was Rebel Pirates. I went with my own spin to a
\n gothic rebel pirate theme.\n<\/p>\n

\n About how much did you
\n spend on your outfit and your full Aftershock
\n experience?\n<\/p>\n

\n These are pieces I had already
\n owned. The skirt I purchased from Killstar! Highly recommend. The
\n corset and my skeleton mesh top I had purchased from Temu. The
\n pirate accessories and thigh high fishnet tights were from
\n Amazon. The boots were from the TikTok Shop. The pink banana was
\n a representation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This was also
\n to let others know that I had trinkets and bracelets to trade.
\n I\u2019d say I spent an estimated $180-$200 for my outfit. On my
\n Aftershock experience, I spent an estimated $1300-$1500. That
\n includes my VIP ticket, my locker, parking pass, food and
\n beverages. I did not purchase merchandise this year.\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n I am a full-time registered
\n veterinary technician. I spend five to six days a week in scrubs.
\n However, I remain my own individual. I maintain my alt girl
\n aesthetic even in scrubs. I\u2019m the tattooed, pierced, colored-hair
\n alt girl amongst the group. I embrace it. I embrace my
\n individuality. I remain authentic.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n Aftershock is certainly one of
\n the best things I look forward to all year long. My first
\n Aftershock was in 2023. I went alone without knowing what to
\n expect. I was nervous and didn\u2019t want to be alone. I learned over
\n the years that going alone is a way better experience. You\u2019re not
\n on someone else\u2019s schedule or time but your own. You get your
\n money\u2019s worth. Not only is it great for mental health, you get to
\n meet great people. I learned that these are my people. We all
\n gathered here for the love of rock and metal. I\u2019ve met so many
\n amazing people along the way. I\u2019ll keep going back to Aftershock
\n for these types of experiences!\n<\/p>\n

Denise Lazaro, California
\n state analyst from Sacramento<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n What was the inspiration
\n behind your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I was dressed as a pirate for
\n Rebel Pirate Day. Throughout the last year, I started a women\u2019s
\n group called Moxii: Women of Aftershock.\n<\/p>\n

\n About how much did you
\n spend on your outfit?\n<\/p>\n

\n I spent about $30 on my costume.
\n It is from Amazon. It was a little too big, but I made it work,
\n and I wore my purple Ozzy (Osbourne) glasses from the Ozzy
\n tribute day we did last Aftershock. Fishnets are required, and go
\n with anything, by the way. Somehow, it makes any outfit we put
\n together complete.\n<\/p>\n

\n How does this compare to
\n what you wear to work?\n<\/p>\n

\n I am a state worker, state of
\n California, so at work I dress pretty conservatively. Once in a
\n while, on casual day, I do throw on a ball cap and one of my
\n favorite rock T-shirts \u2014 one of the tamer ones, of course, and
\n office friendly. But yes, by day a summer dress and sandals is
\n the go-to. Winter, I like to wear dresses with tights and Doc
\n Martens with a sweater, or jeans, boots and a blouse with a
\n sweater. My closet is black. I may have a problem.\n<\/p>\n

\n Anything else you want
\n people to know about your experience at
\n Aftershock?\n<\/p>\n

\n We started Moxii: Women of
\n Aftershock this last year. Rosa (Mendoza) is an active
\n member!\n<\/p>\n

\n It is a social group for women
\n that are rock and metal fans. Alternative, goth girls, metalheads
\n and all of the above and everything in between. It\u2019s meant to
\n bring the women\u2019s Aftershock or women\u2019s rock community together
\n in a safe space where we can chat about whatever our heart
\n desires in private within the group online and in person. We have
\n grown to almost 1,000 as of today in less than a year. \u2026\n<\/p>\n

\n I have been attending Aftershock
\n since the first one in 2012. I have been heavily involved in
\n social media. I help moderate the main public group that has now
\n grown to about 50,000 people. It\u2019s a community that is strong
\n that is close and amazing in spite of some of the issues that
\n happened this year. We all rely on the fact that most metal heads
\n are solid, wonderful citizens that have regular jobs and just
\n love to rock \u2018n\u2019 roll mosh and crowd surf with our
\n friends.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u2013\n<\/p>\n

\n Never miss a story: Get Comstock\u2019s weekly newsletter<\/a> delivered to your
\n inbox.\n<\/p>\n