75,000 Music Fans Converged For Sold-Out Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival

Record-Setting Event Held September 10, 11 & 12 At The Ohio State Reformatory In Mansfield, OH

2021 Inkcarceration - Sunday, September 12, 2021. Photo credit: Nathan Zucker/Danny Wimmer Presents

Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival set a new record for the event this past weekend as 75,000 music fans rocked out at the sold-out event on the historic grounds of The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio – a site made famous by the movie The Shawshank Redemption.

After originally selling out the event in only three weeks, festival co-producers Danny Wimmer Presents were able to release a limited amount of additional passes to the public to allow in as many fans as possible to attend the anticipated event. DWP is pleased to report that more than 95% of festivalgoers arrived with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test – and others were able to receive convenient rapid testing onsite in order to access the event without delay.

Inkcarceration also marked Danny Wimmer Presents’ return to Ohio, where it also hosts Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival and formerly co-produced Rock On The Range, both held in Columbus.

Inkcarceration featured a massive lineup with some of the biggest names and brightest new stars in rock and metal, including headliners Slipknot, Rob Zombie and Mudvayne (in their first show in over 10 years), as well as A Day To Remember, Mastodon, Halestorm, Chevelle, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Steel Panther, Fever 333, The Hu, Pop Evil and many more.

Said Mansfield News-Journal of the weekend, “Ink [was] flowing, metal roaring again with Inkcarceration at Ohio State Reformatory.’

Of Mudvayne’s memorable reunion on Saturday night, Revolver said: “After years of fans clamoring for it, Mudvayne finally broke their hiatus and played their first show in more than a decade. The shape-shifting alt-metal group — vocalist Chad Gray, guitarist Greg Tribbett, bassist Ryan Martinie and drummer Matthew McDonough — took the stage at Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio, last night (September 11th), and ripped through a 14-song set … the band gave OG fans what they wanted by donning the freaky make-up and wacky outfits that added to their notoriety when they came onto the scene with 2000’s L.D. 50.”

Other highlights included a rousing set from Slipknot on Friday night, Rob Zombie’s high-octane performance full of hits on Sunday night, the debut of Steel Panther’s new bass player Silky Pocket, a fully instrumental set from Badflower after singer Josh Katz lost his voice but went on with the show and Saving Escape vocalist Kayla Rose offering a moving performance of the National Anthem ahead of Pop Evil’s set on Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.

Many artists also expressed their overwhelming emotion upon returning to a festival stage after two years, including Ash Costello from New Year’s Day who was brought to tears after helping get the festivities started on Friday.

Inkcarceration has announced its dates for 2022, to be held the weekend of July 15-17, once again returning to the hallowed grounds of the The Ohio State Reformatory. Passes are available now for just $10 down at this site.

In addition to enjoying the diverse music lineup, fans were able to book appointments with more than 50 tattoo artists and participate in nightly tattoo competitions, as well as receive complimentary tours of the famous Ohio State Reformatory prison. There was also a wide selection of gourmet food, a wide selection of beverages, camping and the return of the award-winning Haunted House attraction Escape From Blood Prison.

The Ohio State Reformatory’s historic building and grounds provided a perfect setting for Inkcarceration and attendees were able to take part in self-guided tours. The massive, awe-inspiring locale featuring beautiful Romanesque architecture is recognized as not only one of the most haunted reformatories in the country, but also as the filming location for multiple Hollywood films. The Reformatory has a long, documented history of paranormal activity and is a premier location for authentic paranormal enthusiasts.

Inkcarceration 2021 partners included Anheuser-Busch, Blackcraft, Bulleit, Great Lakes Brewing, Monaco Cocktail, Mortus Viventi, Ohio Lottery, Zyn, Acathla Apparel, INK Poisoning Apparel, Marines, Paleface & Co., Revolver, Inked Magazine, RonzWorld, Silver City Mugs, Skull Dollz, Slipknot Whiskey, South Surf, TickPick and US Army. Festival nonprofit partners include FXCK Cancer, Rock Against Racism, Take Me Home and TWLOHA.

Inkcarceration is co-produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America, and Daniel Janssen, one of the founders and General Manager of Inkcarceration Festival.

Day One

Day Two

Day three

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