Run for the hills, X-Fest is upon us again. Yes kids, it’s time for the annual day-long… Run for the hills, X-Fest is upon us again. Yes kids, it’s time for the annual day-long festival of alternative rock that takes over the Post-Gazette Pavilion each Memorial Day.

This year’s X-Fest, sponsored by the Steel City’s alternative radio station, 105.9 FM, brings with it a mere 15 bands. That’s a decline from previous years.

The concert begins in the afternoon and will most likely run well after darkness falls. With two stages and 15 bands, the festival has trimmed down from its usual 30 bands and three stages. Hopefully, for concertgoers’ sake, this will mean longer sets from all of the bands, and everyone will get the most out of their hard-earned dollars.

The X pulled in some big names for this year’s show, including Staind, who released a new album, 14 Shades of Grey. Another band taking the stage will be Godsmack, who also have a new album out, entitled Faceless.

Continuing with bands that have released a new album is Cold, who put out The Year of the Spider, an album filled with some heavy songs that will provide for good moshing. A few other bands that should provide heavy mosh anthems are Taproot and Breaking Benjamin, who both put out albums last year, Welcome and Saturate, respectively.

Other bands on the lineup include newcomers Evanescence, The Used, Trapt, Seether and Smile Empty Soul. Local bands include The Juliana Theory and Punchline.

X-Fest always brings with it an interesting, eclectic show. Hopefully this year it doesn’t rain on the X’s parade like it did last year but, if it gets too hot out there, the crowd may start their own rain dance in place of the mosh pit.