Upheaval Festival 2026 rife with ‘dream’ metal acts raring to rock

GRAND RAPIDS — When it comes to hard rock, metal and hardcore, it’s hard to match the passion of musicians and their headbanging fans.

So not surprisingly, Grand Rapids’ upcoming Upheaval Festival at Belknap Park has become a prized, much-anticipated destination for both — especially for Michigan-bred bands.

“We’re so pumped to finally play Upheaval,” said A.J. Barrette, drummer for Grand Rapids’ metalcore group Still Remains, which will play the festival’s Lookout Stage at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

“After a few years of watching the fest grow, we’re really excited to participate, since this is our hometown metal festival. Fans can expect a mix of some classics along with a few new songs from our recently released EP, ‘Spirit Breaker.’”

The band — Barrette, singer T.J. Miller, guitarists Jordan Whelan and Mike Church, keyboardist Zach Roth and bassist Kenny Polidan — initially was formed in 2001, split up in 2008, and reformed in 2011. The “Spirit Breaker” EP is the group’s first new release since 2013, with the band planning to return to the studio this fall. 

Of course, the two-day Upheaval Festival is rife with big names on the national metal circuit: Gojira, Poppy and Story of the Year on Friday, Papa Roach, Bilmuri and Jinjer on Saturday, with more than 20 other bands performing on three stages at the city park that’s completely revamped into a festival site.

Detroit heavy rock outfit Forge the Sun — singer Ally Rose, guitarist Tristan Russano, bassist Barret McKowen and drummer Isaac Parsons — is getting a second shot at Upheaval: A storm washed out the band's 2025 set at the festival.

"We're very happy that we're getting a second chance to rock," Rose said of the band set to perform at 5:50 p.m. Saturday on the Rising Stage. "We are currently mastering a new song and it will be performed at Upheaval Festival." 

Several Upheaval bands are touting new music: Poppy (“Empty Hands”), Story of the Year (“A.R.S.O.N.”), Magnolia Park (“Nights After Vamp”), Bilmuri (“Kinda Hard”), ALYXX (“Holding Out For a Hero”) and others are touring behind new albums or singles. 

Grand Rapids dark pop and metalcore artist Izzy Reign, who released her self-titled album in 2025, landed a performance slot at Upheaval after winning the WGRD Heavyweights competition at The Intersection earlier this year. 

She calls the festival appearance “a huge stepping stone. To be surrounded by such incredible artists that I’ve seen myself so many times is just a dream. So I am so stoked.”

Other Michigan acts on the 2026 bill include Annex Void, Forge the Sun, Approaching Autumn, Autumn Kings and Exit 73.

Two-day general admission tickets are $236.07 (VIP, $284.75); one-day passes $159.27, available online at upheavalfest.com.

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.