John Yelland described the Grillfest music festival as his Christmas morning: A magical moment in time that brings everyone together to celebrate wonder and possibility, an event that carries the warmth of tradition, kindness and joy.

Grillfest organizer, John Yelland, performs with his band Judicator during the 2025 event. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Claypool/Permafrost Photography)

“Growing up, I didn’t have much of a family,” he said. “I would go to my friends’ houses as a kid and they’d have these big families, but this is my community and my way of having that type of experience.”

Yelland started Grillfest 16 years ago. From 2009 through 2013, the event was a makeshift music festival, turning a backyard into an amphitheater with bands, friends and barbecue. 

Although Grillfest faded away in 2014, Yelland always hoped to reignite interest in the event that celebrates metal music. With his band, Judicator, Yelland felt this year was the time to resurrect the two-day party. He found the community was yearning for this type of festival, attracting 12 bands to perform at The Pearl on Main (7711 S. Main St.) in Midvale on Aug. 22 and 23. 

Attendees could hear performances from Hisingen, Moon Wizard, Advent Horizon, Michael Barrow and the Tourists, Disengaged, Exvamon, Storm Haven, Celestial Wizard, Arsenic Addiction, Seizure, Silver Talon and Judicator, while also enjoying live wrestling and medieval combat on Midvale’s Historic Main Street, courtesy of the Lucha Project and Order of the Silver Rose.

Gothic death metal band, Arsenic Addiction, performs at The Pearl on Main during Grillfest, a metal music festival in Midvale. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)

Local food trucks included Slopeside Smoke Shack, featuring its popular smoked pork and brisket, and Cuppa Love Italian gelato. Vendors sold handmade products and festival attendees could visit shops and restaurants on Midvale’s Main Street.

Romance Chavez trains with the Lucha Project, an organization that brings live wrestling to music festivals and other community events. Chavez said Grillfest was the perfect partnership for their organization, which likes to support grassroots activities.

“We bring chaos and a lot of energy,” Chavez said. “We’re a big community of craziness and fun, and we’re all accepting of each other.”

Yelland said the event is a way to support metal bands and gives them a venue to gain more fans. His power metal band, Judicator, was formed in 2012 in a collaboration with guitarist/songwriter Alicia Cordisco. They just completed a European tour and have released seven albums. The band’s third album, At the Expense of Humanity, explores the loss of Yelland’s brother to cancer. 

The Lucha Project brings live wrestling to festivals and other community events. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)

With Grillfest, Yelland created the kind of festival he would want to attend. Although the event is focused on music, he hopes to expand it to include the arts and business communities. He already has plans for next year’s event, which he wants to make more family-friendly with kid zones and interactive entertainment.

“It feels like there’s an appetite for Grillfest and everybody is so enthusiastic about it,” Yelland said. “I believe next year we can sell this out. We’re talking about leaning into the family-friendly side, because I have a family. I want my foot in both worlds. I want to be able to rock on and kill it on stage, but then come out and watch my son make friends at a bouncy castle.”