LIVE: UPHEAVAL FESTIVAL – Grand Rapids, MI, USA – July 17-18, 2026

Venue: Belknap Park

City: Grand Rapids, MI

Dates: July 17-18, 2026

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

July brings vacation, fireworks, and if you are a rock and metal fan in Michigan it takes you to Belknap Park in Grand Rapids.  As I have covered and photographed the first five years of the festival, I had to make my annual pilgrimage to GR and face two days of music on three stages and the Hill (IYKYK).  Across the board the lineup intrigued me.  There would be bands I have seen more than a handful of times, some would be the second or third time, and many I was excited to see for the first time (and I was able to interview three of those up-n-comers that I looked forward to seeing).  Once again, this festival was worth the travel from North Carolina.  I got to see some bands I have loved, some new ones I was pumped to see, and even added some ‘new to me’ bands to my stable of go to metal for the office.  Day 1 had a couple of firsts, starting with one of the worst air quality days on record in Michigan. leaving us all waiting to see how the day would progress.  Later that day was one of the oddest occurrences I have ever experienced.

It just isn’t Upheaval Festival if you don’t get in the gates and head up the hill… that f*cking hill.  I made my way up to the Lookout Stage to check out Vexatious and they were the first of many bands that I was unfamiliar with when the festival started.  The high energy of the band drew in the fans that ventured up to the Lookout Stage to kick off Friday afternoon.  COMPLETE SET OF VEXATIOUS PHOTOS

The first band I caught on the Upheaval Main Stage was Thousand Below and these guys won me over quickly with great songs, energy, and a cool vibe that helped them gel with the crowd that was forming near the front of the pit area.  I had heard of them, but upon hearing them for the first time, I found myself getting into their music as I wandered the pit, camera in hand.  This won’t be the last time I see them on stage.  COMPLETE SET OF THOUSAND BELOW PHOTOS — THOUSAND BELOW SETLIST

I worked my back up the hill to the Lookout Stage on a mission – to see Showing Teeth.  This is one of the artists that I clamored to see from the moment they were announced.  Add in an opportunity to interview the singer and I was pumped for the set full of music that would be coming ‘soon.’  The music was aggressive and in your face, but it was the perfect way to help open a weekend and get my blood pumping for the remainder of the day, while I anticipated sitting down with Showing Teeth later that afternoon.  The music was killer and her energy added depth and power to the songs and the sonic assault used to deliver them.  I hope the ensuing tour supporting the new release finds Showing Teeth gracing a stage near me soon.  COMPLETE SET OF SHOWING TEETH PHOTOS

I missed Upheaval Main Stage band Landmvrks (regrettably as the crew I was with raved about them) while conducting an interview. While down the hill, I found myself at the Rising Stage and was able to see Annex Void once again after catching them last year at Crofoot in Pontiac as well as seeing front woman Gabrielle-Gloria fronting a different band previously here at Upheaval.  If they are near me, I will always find my way to see them, as the songs are tight, the groove tight, and the performance is solid.  The band perfectly swirls the different genres and adds a prog twist that works.  COMPLETE SET OF ANNEX VOID PHOTOS

Another interview and some networking kept me from seeing Kingdom Collapse on the Lookout Stage and Story of The Year on the Upheaval Main stage, but sitting down with Showing Teeth was more than worth it.  As I weighed my options, I walked near the Rising Stage area and found myself there just in time to say hello to the guitarist for the next band up shortly before they hit the stage. I decided to hang around to see Normundy.  Guitarist Maci-Ann Hayes brought amazing energy and stage presence to Upheaval.  The band was a cool add for me, as I wasn’t familiar with them and wouldn’t normally be in my purview to check out.  I dug their music and the delivery – slightly eclectic but all rock.  COMPLETE SET OF NORMUNDY PHOTOS — NORMUNDY SETLIST

It was time for a little exercise, so I found myself hiking the hill with all my camera gear for some added cardio.  Next up on th eLookout Stage was a band I had caught once before on an opening slot at The Machine Shop in Flint, MI – Zero 9:36.  The set was interesting as the band was having issues with the prerecorded portions of their set.  At one point while trying to get things situated, they had a fan on stage drawing the front man while he told stories to the crowd.  Eventually they got things rolling and did what they could with the time they had left.  All things told, this show was cooler than my previous experience as it gave them time to bond with the crowd and really lean into the music.  COMPLETE SET OF ZERO 9:36 PHOTOS — ZERO 9:36 SETLIST

One of the bands on the Upheaval Main Stage I was most excited to get in front of my lens was Poppy.  In what was the strangest thing I have experienced at a concert – in the pit and otherwise – Poppy’s band took the stage wearing N95 masks under their normal stage attire masks.  From the photo pit, across the VIP and GA sections in front of the stage, and up the hill we all waited to see what type of show Poppy would deliver.  It wasn’t to be, as her band played their full set with not one lyric being sung or even an appearance or explanation from her.  We later learned she opted to not perform due to the air quality.  Maybe next time…  COMPLETE SET OF POPPY(LESS) PHOTOS — POPPY SETLIST

Another performer I couldn’t wait to see on the Rising Stage was Izzy Reign, whom I was able to grab some interview time with earlier in the day.  Izzy was the final Rising performer of the day, and she did not waste the opportunity provided.  Her music is straightforward, allowing it to be consumed by the masses and edgy enough to please the Upheaval crowds.  Here’s hoping the crowds embrace her and push her to the next level and bigger stages – she is worth the effort.  COMPLETE SET OF IZZY REIGN PHOTOS — IZZY REIGN SETLIST

I have heard a ton of buzz from the crew that hits Upheaval with me every year as well as others regarding Magnolia Park, so I was curious to be sure and made sure I was at the top of the hill in front of the Lookout Stage.  I will say that these guys had my respect earlier in the day as they did soundcheck before doors opened and they hung out side stage almost all day checking out every band that played the Lookout Stage.  They hit the stage a little early, so I was late to the party after watching Izzy Reign perform.  Magnolia Park did not disappoint.  Their music was on point, and they whipped the crowd into a frenzy quickly, with the packed uphill stage headbanging, moshing, and overall rocking their collective asses off.  I imagine the time is nearing the end when seeing these guys on a smaller stage is commonplace.  Believe the hype.  COMPLETE SET OF MAGNOLIA PARK PHOTOS — MAGNOLIA PARK SETLIST

Day 1 Upheaval Main Stage headliner Gojira was easily the band I was most excited to see when they were announced.  After seeing their viral and famous Olympics performance, they were on my short list of must see / photograph when they hit the road and a tour stop landed near me.  From the moment they hit the stage until the final note was played, I was mesmerized visually (at least while in the pit) and sonically as I settled in for the remainder of the evening.  Armed with a set full of amazing rockers, they put on an aural assault that drew in the crowd from front to back and side to side.  Band members Joe Duplantier, Christian Andreu, and Jean-Michel Labadie were joined onstage for one of three shows by Paleface Swiss drummer Luigi Paraventi due to a Visa issue for drummer Mario Duplantier.  For me, the highlights of their show were “Flying Whales” and “Amazonia.”  That is until they performed “Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!).”  While not as visually impactful as the Olympics performance, musically it was amazing.  COMPLETE SET OF GOJIRA PHOTOS — GOJIRA SETLIST

Day 2 kicked off with an interview, so I missed the late morning hike up the hill.  I did however find myself freeing up in time to catch Silly Goose kick off the Upheaval Main Stage action.  I was blown away by the lethal combination of high energy, music, and overall exchange of good rock vibes between the band and crowd that packed the area in front of the stage.  These guys are blowing up, and I cannot wait to see how they explode as they strengthen their arsenal of music.  The band had a blast on stage, and it showed in their smiles and interaction between them, but you could feel the joy in the musical delivery – one of the best of the day.  COMPLETE SET OF SILLY GOOSE PHOTOS — SILLY GOOSE SETLIST

On a high from the last performance, I made my way up to the Lookout Stage to catch Still Remains.  I didn’t know much about them going into their set and couldn’t hang long after shooting the first couple songs as I needed to get back down for another set, but what I caught was fun and musically a good add to the Upheaval bill.  While not a powerhouse rock band, they brought their music and energy and gave it to the crowd without abandon.  COMPLETE SET OF STILL REMAINS PHOTOS — STILL REMAINS SETLIST

Wandering back down the hill, I caught Dying Wish on the Upheaval Main Stage and they were another bonus band today with a set full of cool rockers and an energy that helped keep the crowd energized while they held their ground in front of the stage through the hot parts of the afternoon.  Front woman Emma Boster delivered every song with attitude, a chip on her shoulder, and a smile… all at the same time.  They are another band I hope to catch again at some point.  COMPLETE SET OF DYING WISH PHOTOS — DYING WISH SETLIST

Another Rising Stage artist I dug interviewing was Alyxx and her set helped cap off the experience.  With a voice and presence that equal is equal parts 80’s rock and stage musical, her performance encapsulated many of my musical loves into one performance.  Her band backed her perfectly and gave depth to her set as she drew in everyone that came to see her.  With a strong voice and stronger conviction, Alyxx delivered one of the best Rising Stage performances of the weekend.  I will be following her releases and tour schedule closely to catch her every chance I get as well as checking out new material as it comes out.  COMPLETE SET OF ALYXX PHOTOS — ALYXX INTERVIEW — ALYXX SETLIST

Back up on the Lookout Stage, Autumn Kings were ready to hit the stage and hit the crowd with their blend of rock and roll with power and high energy and they delivered on every level.  The band was firing on all cylinders as they worked through their set and kept the energy flowing back and forth between the stage and the crowd.  Watching the guys bounce around on stage while playing their hearts out and asses off as was proof positive why they were chosen for the time slot they had.  These guys are headed up and I am glad I saw them before they blew up.  COMPLETE SET OF AUTUMN KINGS PHOTOS

I was totally psyched when I heard Jinjer was playing the Upheaval Main Stage.  While they are strong enough to headline this festival, selfishly I was excited to see them playing a slightly earlier set so I could enjoy them in the daylight from behind a camera.  Seeing them a month earlier in Charlotte, NC, I had some expectation of the setlist and performance, but what I saw and heard from them exceeded any expectation or previous time I have seen them over the years.  With a new album out and a tour in motion, the band was a well-oiled machine that came out and kicked all of us square in the teeth and we were happy to thank them.  The new and old songs were perfectly swirled together in the set and showed off different facets of the band and their catalog.  COMPLETE SET OF JINJER PHOTOS — JINJER SETLIST

Next on the Lookout Stage at the top of the hill was Silent Planet and they were another band I had no knowledge or information about when I wandered into the photo pit camera in hand.  While not necessarily my thing sonically, there is no mistaking they were being well accepted by the crowd.  The band was all over the place and enjoyed their time on stage as much as the crowd at the top of the hill had watching their set.  COMPLETE SET OF SILENT PLANET PHOTOS — SILENT PLANET SETLIST

Down on the Upheaval Main Stage, Bilmuri hit the stage to a flurry of cheers, screams, and overall admiration from anybody within earshot of the stage itself.  To be honest, I didn’t know a thing about the guy, the band, the songs, etc.  The group of people I was with told me I was a fool to miss this one, so I found myself in the pit waiting and floored before the end of the first song.  The music was cool and a great blend of different genres, but all rock and perfect to work toward a close on the main stage of the final night.  The band was tight and John is perfectly suited to lead this project.  Good stuff to close out my time in front of the Upheaval Main Stage for 2026.  COMPLETE SET OF BILMURI PHOTOS — BILMURI SETLIST

On the Rising Stage, Approaching Autumn closed out weekend for the up-n-comers.  Not my thing (death metal) but I am always up for checking out music that falls outside my normal listening.  The band had a huge following of friends and family that showed up and the crowd that gathered here on their way up the hill for a final performance seemed to dig what they heard.  COMPLETE SET OF APPROACHING AUTUMN PHOTOS

The final band I caught from behind my camera was up on the Lookout Stage where I saw Set It Off with one of the biggest crowds I have ever seen make the climb in the last six years.  These guys were on fire from the moment they hit the stage and didn’t let up once for the duration of their set.  The power of their music was matched only by the conviction of the band and the dedication of the fans that packed the hill.  These guys will be making their way to main stages and headlining gigs in no time.  The band’s self-titled release was the focus, and I dug it all enough to add that disc to my listening fare in the office the following week.  COMPLETE SET OF SET IT OFF PHOTOS — SET IT OFF SETLIST

Papa Roach decided to limit photographers to crowd shooting, so I opted out.  Their set was full of hits and fan favorites, so it was a fitting close to the festival for another year.  I am already scouring the various webpages reading all the requests, wish lists, and speculation regarding next year.  I just know it’s going to be another killer year!!!  As with every year, my crew added to the fun and excitement of the weekend.  Following the festival, I found myself laid up with vertigo.  One of the upsides to that was my ability to remember the bands, the interviews, the photo pit opportunities, and the fans and friends I have made that are there year after year.  It also allowed me time to prepare this review.  Most importantly, it allowed me time to reflect on the time spent and look forward to 2027.

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries