March 29, 2026
Concert Review
By: Chris V: Photographer/Writer
The return of WJRR’s Earthday Birthday to the Central Florida Fairgrounds on March 21 proved one thing, Orlando’s rock scene is alive and thriving. With a stacked lineup featuring headliners Three Days Grace alongside I Prevail, Mammoth WVH, Sleep Theory, Jakob’s Castle, The Funeral Portrait, Return To Dust, Des Rocs, The Pretty Wild, and Nevertel, the festival delivered a full day of high-energy performances that kept fans engaged from start to finish.
Early sets from Kurt Deimer, James and the Cold Gun, and Orlando’s own Twin Rova helped set the tone for the day, bringing a raw, unfiltered energy that steadily built as the crowd grew. Fans showed up early and stayed locked in, creating an atmosphere that felt just as electric in the afternoon as it did by nightfall.
As the day progressed, that momentum never let up, each performance adding another layer to an already stacked experience. From rising acts carving out their place to established names reminding everyone why they’ve endured, Earthday Birthday 2026 wasn’t just a festival, it was a clear statement that rock continues to evolve while holding firmly onto its roots.
Twin Rova
Opening the VULJRR stage, Orlando’s own Twin Rova kicked things off at 11:30 AM under perfect festival weather, setting the tone early with a performance that refused to feel like an “opening act.” The trio seamlessly blended elements of emo, metal, and hard rock, delivering a sound that felt both polished and emotionally charged. Despite the early time slot, they drew in an engaged crowd, feeding off the energy and giving it right back with a confident stage presence. It was the kind of set that didn’t just start the day, it established the pace, making it clear from the first notes that Earthday Birthday 2026 was going to hit hard from beginning to end.
James and The Cold Gun
Over on the Farah Stage, UK-based James and the Cold Gun made their U.S. festival debut, bringing a raw garage and alternative rock sound that carried an unfiltered, gritty energy. Their performance felt effortless yet impactful, translating their stripped-down style into something that resonated across the larger festival setting. Despite being a newer name to many in the crowd, they held attention with a confident presence, proving that their sound not only travels well but belongs on stages of this scale.
Kurt Deimer
Kurt Deimer followed on the VULJRR stage with a straightforward, no-frills hard rock set that leaned fully into a classic, old-school vibe. His sound carried that gritty, road-tested energy reminiscent of Daytona’s Bike Week scene, connecting easily with fans who appreciate a more traditional rock edge. Keeping it simple but effective, Deimer delivered a solid performance highlighted by his single “In Deep,” featuring Josh Todd of Buckcherry, adding an extra layer of familiarity and punch to the set.
Nevertel
Tampa’s Nevertel quickly shifted the momentum, delivering the first real surge of heaviness to hit the Farah Stage. Blending rap and metal with a modern edge, their sound brought a sharp intensity that immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention and injected new energy into the early part of the day. Their fast-paced set kept things moving, balancing heavy riffs with rhythmic flow, while a guest guitar appearance from Miguel Cardona of Sylar added an extra punch that elevated the performance. It was a turning point in the lineup, signaling a shift into the heavier side of the festival and getting the crowd fully locked in.
SETLIST:
Did it All
Sacrifice
Holding On
Everything In My Mind
Some Things
Criminal
The Pretty Wild
The Pretty Wild pushed that intensity even further, taking the energy from heavy to fully explosive. Sisters Jyl and Jules Wylde commanded the stage with confidence and chemistry, delivering a seamless blend of clean vocals, screams, and rap elements that kept the crowd locked in from start to finish. Their ability to shift between aggressive, high-impact moments and more melodic, emotionally driven sections gave their set a dynamic edge that stood out among the lineup. Each transition felt intentional and polished, building momentum throughout and culminating in a strong close with their viral hit “Sleepwalker,” which drew one of the most engaged responses of the early afternoon.
SETLIST:
PARADOX
OMENS
bLAcK oPs (m@n!a)
button eyes
living ded
INFRARED
sLeepwAlker
Des Rocs
New York’s Des Rocs brought a blues-infused, garage rock swagger to the main stage, delivering a performance that felt both gritty and electrifying. Blending vintage rock influences with a modern edge, their sound carried a raw authenticity that stood out while still feeling fresh and current. The high-energy delivery, paired with a commanding stage presence, kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish, proving that sometimes the simplest, most stripped-down rock elements can hit the hardest when executed right.
Return To Dust
Return To Dust delivered a convincing nod to the ‘90s grunge revival, bringing a sound that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly genuine. Their performance was tight, raw, and effortlessly authentic, leaning into gritty textures and emotional undertones that resonated with the crowd. While they may not have been the heaviest band on the bill, their ability to connect through atmosphere and musicianship proved just as impactful, leaving a lasting impression that lingered well beyond their set. It’s clear they’re carving out their own space, and if this performance was any indication, bigger stages are undoubtedly in their future.
The Funeral Portrait
One of the most emotionally charged performances of the day came from The Funeral Portrait, who drew one of the largest crowds of the afternoon and delivered a set that felt both intense and deeply personal. Showcasing their evolution from smaller venues to commanding major festival stages, the band balanced theatrical presence with raw vulnerability, pulling the audience in from the first note. Tracks like “Suffocate City,” “Holy Water,” and “You’re So Ugly When You Cry” hit hard, resonating with fans on an emotional level and creating moments where the entire crowd seemed locked into the same experience. It was a standout performance that not only highlighted their growth, but also solidified their ability to connect on a much larger scale.
SETLIST:
Mad World (Tear for Fear Cover)
Generation Psycho
Blood Mother
Voodoo Doll
Holy Water
Stay Weird
Dark Thoughts
Suffocate City
Jakobs Castle
Jakob Nowell brought Jakob’s Castle to the Sunshine State, delivering a refreshing shift in tone that added variety to an otherwise heavy lineup. His vocal presence stood out immediately, carrying both a laid-back confidence and emotional depth as he blended original material with subtle nods to his late father Bradley Nowell’s legacy with Sublime. The set felt naturally in sync with the Florida atmosphere—sun-soaked, relaxed, yet still engaging—giving the crowd a moment to breathe without losing momentum. It was a well-placed transition in the day that highlighted both heritage and individuality, proving Jakob is carving his own lane while respectfully honoring where he comes from.
SETLIST:
April 29, 1992 (Miami – Sublime Cover)
Time Traveler
Sleep Theory
Fan-favorites Sleep Theory returned to Earthday Birthday with undeniable momentum, picking up right where they left off and proving why their rise has been so rapid. Opening with “Fallout,” they wasted no time setting the tone, delivering a hard-hitting and polished set that immediately locked in the crowd. Cullen Moore commanded the stage with confidence and control, balancing powerful vocals with an engaging presence that kept fans fully invested. Backed by a tight, cohesive performance from the band, every moment felt intentional and refined, reinforcing the sense that they’re not just gaining traction—they’re on the verge of a major breakout.
SETLIST:
Fallout
Another Way
Gravity
Bye Bye Bye (NSYNC Cover)
Words Are Worthless
Break the Silence (Nevertel Cover with Nevertel Appearance)
Stuck in My Head
Numb
Static
Mammoth
Mammoth WVH made their Earthday Birthday debut with a fun, high-energy presence that fit perfectly into the late-afternoon lineup, bringing a fresh burst of momentum as the day continued to build. Led by Wolfgang Van Halen, the band seamlessly blended classic rock influences with a modern edge, creating a sound that felt both familiar and forward-moving. Their tight musicianship was on full display, matched by a confident and engaging stage presence that kept the crowd fully locked in. It was the kind of performance that not only entertained but reinforced their growing reputation as a standout act in today’s rock landscape.
SETLIST:
Another Celebration at the End of the World
The Spell
Epiphany
Like a Pastime
Stone
Distance
Take a Bow
I Really Wanna
Don’t Back Down
The End
I Prevail
As night fell, I Prevail took things to another level, delivering a massive, high-impact set that instantly shifted the atmosphere into full headline mode. With explosive pyrotechnics lighting up the stage and one of the heaviest performances of the day, they commanded attention from the first moment. Opening with “NWO” and rolling seamlessly into “Bow Down,” the band hit with relentless intensity, blending crushing breakdowns with melodic hooks that had the crowd fully engaged. Their powerful cover of Sad But True by Metallica added a classic edge to the set, further amplifying the energy. From start to finish, their performance stood out as one of the festival’s defining highlights, leaving no doubt about their dominance on a stage of this scale.
SETLIST:
NWO
Bow Down
Self-Destruction
There’s Fear in Letting Go
Violent Nature
Into Hell
Bad Things
Sad but True (Metallica Cover)
Rain
God
Hurricane
Gasoline
Three Days Grace
Closing out the night, headliners Three Days Grace delivered exactly what fans came for, capping off the festival with a polished, high-energy set that felt both nostalgic and revitalized. The dual-vocalist dynamic added depth and intensity throughout, as the band moved seamlessly through a catalog of hits that had the crowd fully engaged. Massive singalongs for tracks like “Pain,” “Animal I Have Become,” and “I Hate Everything About You” turned the final moments of the night into a collective experience, with fans shouting every word back at the stage. It was a powerful and fitting finale that reinforced the band’s lasting impact on the rock scene.
SETLIST:
Dominate
Animal I Have Become
So Called Life
Break
Home
The Mountain
Pain
Kil Me Fast
I Hate Everything About You
Apologies
Time of Dying
Don’t Wanna Go Home Tonight
Lost in You (acoustic)
Chalk Outline / Porn Star Dancing / My Sharona (Acoustic)
Lifetime (Acoustic)
Here Without You (3 Doors Down Cover)
I am Machine
Just Like You
Mayday
The Good Life
Painkiller
Never Too Late
Riot
WJRR’s Earthday Birthday return wasn’t just successful—it was a reminder of how important this festival is to the Orlando music scene. With an accessible price point and a lineup that carefully balances rising talent with established acts, it continues to stand out as one of the region’s premier rock events, bringing together a diverse crowd united by a shared love for the genre.
If this year was any indication, the future of Earthday Birthday looks stronger than ever, with the festival continuing to evolve while staying true to the energy and community that have made it a staple for rock fans year after year.
Three Days Grace:
I PREVAIL:
Mammoth:
Sleep Theory:
Jakobs Castle:
The Funeral Portrait:
Return To Dust:
Des Rocs:
The Pretty Wild:
Nevertel:
Kurt Deimer:
James and The Cold Gun:
Twin Rova:
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