MANSFIELD — Three full days of rock and heavy metal music kicked off Friday at the historic Ohio State Reformatory.
No amount of rain Friday morning could slow festivalgoers from flooding into opening dday of the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival — which unveiled a new, expanded festival footprint for 2025.
The festival’s two main stages — Redemption Stage and The Yard Stage — are side-by-side and facing south this year, with OSR as the backdrop.
A press release from festival organizers earlier this year said the new layout provides “more space, better viewing and more shade for fans.”
Expanded space also meant an increased capacity.
Dan Smith, associate director at The Ohio State Reformatory Preservation Society, said it’s anticipated that 30,000 concertgoers will attend each day of the festival — meaning 90,000 over three days.
Smith said it’s remarkable to see the growth of the festival each year.
Heading into this weekend, the event’s attendance record stands at 75,000. The festival has sold out for four consecutive years — but 2025 looks to be its biggest year yet.
Music continues into the evening Friday, with Falling In Reverse as the night’s headliner.
Activities will resume Saturday morning for day two, with gates opening at 11 a.m.
Crowd and tattoo photos
Below are photos taken Friday afternoon during the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. The galleries include views of Friday’s crowd, as well as a look inside the Monster Energy Tattoo X.
Band photos
Below are photos taken Friday afternoon during the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. The galleries include DRAIN, Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada.
DRAIN
Killswitch Engage
The Devil Wears Prada
