2026 ARTISTS
Featured Artists
Headliner
Reggae / Soul
Bauer Center Stage 7:45pm
NYC’s hottest award-winning Reggae Soul band, Leon & The Peoples is led by the multi-talented performer, singer-songwriter, actor & producer simply known as Leon. Well-known worldwide, they have been providing some of the best reggae soul and pop infusion music. Their latest album “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” which has the debut single “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” charted #3 on Billboards Hot Singles Sales. Their second single "Beautiful" charted #12 on Billboard. They are also charting #1 on Reverbnation and climbing their way up on Spotify and Apple Music Playlists.
PreHeadliner
South Asian Canartic traditions with jazz and electronic pop
Bauer Center Stage 6:45pm
New Jersey-based singer, violinist, and composer who integrates South Asian Carnatic traditions with jazz and electronic pop. A 2023 NJ State Council on the Arts Fellow, her credits include the Grammy-nominated album Shuruaat and co-composing the score for the Netflix series "The Fame Game". In live performances, she utilizes Ableton Live to trigger synthesizers, bridging her acoustic training with modern electronic production techniques. Parallel to her music career, she has over 10 years of experience as a Software Engineer at firms like TriNet, specializing in React, Next.js, and Astrojs.
PreHeadliner
Rock - Classic and 90's/2000's
Bauer Center Stage 5:45pm
Better Late has been playing together for nearly 10 years, delivering the best classic rock from the 60's through the 2000's. The band hails from Westfield, NJ, utilizing three primary vocalists to bring not only different vocal styles but also powerful harmonies to life. The band performs a variety of songs and has headlined at numerous bars, festivals, and fundraisers throughout New Jersey.
Blue Lightning
Blues / Rock
Bauer Center Stage 12:45pm
Blues Rock band playing Classic Rock inspired by traditional blues and roots music.
Bauer Center Stage 3:15pm
Alternative R&B / Hip-Hop
Catalina
I create music for those of substance that may not always be able to put their feelings into words but have something to say. I thrive off of being different and creating new lanes for myself! I want people to know they do not need to fit into a certain image to feel heard and seen. It is okay to just be who you are, it is okay to be vulnerable, it is okay to love how you were born. My brand stands for just doing what you love, finding a way to express yourself, and running with it; whether people like it or not!
Jessica Layton
National Anthem
Bauer Center Stage 12:00pm
Jessica Layton moved to Short Hills with her husband Andrew Catalon and son, CJ, in 2016 so she could pursue her career in tv news in NYC. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she is currently a news anchor for NBC / MSNBC. Her other passion in life is music. Jessica began singing professionally when she was 10 years old - recording radio jingles and children’s music. In addition to also working as a cantor at St Rose of Lima Church and singing at weddings and funerals, she’s performed the National Anthem at major sporting and political events. She is thrilled to be singing the National Anthem for Rocktoberfest and enjoying Emcee duties while her son CJ has fun in the Kid Zone!
Indie Pop
Bauer Center Stage 3:30pm
Alt-indie pop artist Jessica Woodlee is always getting lost and writing songs about it. With a bold approach to pop, she combines modern pop lyricism and synths with hints of classic blues-and-rock-infused instrumentation to create a fresh yet familiar sound that’s all her own. Pulling influences from Maggie Rogers, Maisie Peters and Taylor Swift, she channels her high emotional sensitivity and life experiences into catchy hooks, unique metaphors and storytelling. Jessica is now hard at work writing and recording new music. Get ready to scream the lyrics together by following Jessica on social media and wherever you stream music.
Country Rock, Rock, Alt-Country, Americana
Bauer Center Stage 5:00pm
The Local Heroes band hails from South Orange and Maplewood, NJ. Featuring the powerhouse vocals of Charlie Pollock and Diane Davis, the band performs a rousing mix of Americana, country and rock music. With dueling lead vocals and soaring harmonies, Charlie and Diane deliver a unique spin on both classic and new tunes.
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MHS Showcase
TBA
Bauer Center Stage 3:00pm
Bollywood
Bauer Center Stage 2:15pm
Moksha debuted at Rocktoberfest in 2022 and this is our 4th year performing in front of the crowd that have been cheering us on. From the Rocktoberfest stage to multiple venues, registrants and parties, Moksha has become a household name within this town and also some neighboring towns. We look forward to performing again and bringing good Bollywood tunes to Rocktoberfest!
Rock
Bauer Center Stage 4:15pm
Nick Valen & The Crooks didn’t come together by accident—they formed with a mission: to bring Nick Valen’s songs to the stage, the airwaves, and, most importantly, YOUR ears! Based out of the Jersey Shore, the band blends classic rock & roll swagger with heartfelt songwriting, equal parts Elliott Smith melancholy, Elvis swagger, Beatles melody, and Springsteen grit, with hints of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello for good measure.
Indie / Reggae / Soul
Bauer Center Stage 12:05pm
Hailing from New Jersey/New York (West Orange and South Orange) the band mixes vintage 2-Tone energy with an indie/reggae/soul attitude and socially charged lyrics that get heads thinking and feet moving. Their upcoming second album, Black Box, expands their sound with deeper grooves, sharper hooks, and a fearless mix of styles. Known for high-energy shows and infectious melodies, The Phensic channel the spirit of The Specials, The Clash, Bad Brains, Amy Winehouse, and Arctic Monkeys. Expect rhythm, riffs, and real soul—ska reimagined for today.
Classic / Alternative Rock
Bauer Center Stage 1:30pm
A life-long passion for rock n’ roll brought together the members of Side Buckle - Michelle (Lead Vocals), Peter (Lead Guitar), Tom (Bass), Vinu (Drums) and Matt (Harp, Keyboards). Side Buckle made their Rocktoberfest debut three years ago. They have continued to perform in various venues since then including the Racquets Club (Short Hills), Bull n’ Bear Brewery (Summit), Berlin NYC and the Delancey (NYC). Side Buckle covers a wide variety of decades and music styles – from the Allman Brothers to REM.
Classic Rock
Riverside Stage 4:30pm
AGNI means ‘Fire’ in Sanskrit. The band was formed in Millburn in 2022 by a group of musicians (Abhisheka, Archana, Ariel, Vinu, Chetan, Aravind, and Varun) who share a deep-rooted love for the genre that defined their musical upbringing. Each member brings their own unique flair, honed by years of admiration and study of these legendary artists. Their performances are a testament to the enduring legacy of classic rock, capturing the raw energy, intricate musicianship, and soul-stirring melodies that made these bands household names. Prepare for nostalgia and high-octane rock 'n' roll as AGNI brings the classic anthems you love back to life, reminding us all why these songs remain eternal. Feel the power of the music that has shaped generations, with AGNI leading the charge in keeping the spirit of classic rock alive and thriving.
Funk
Riverside Stage 6:05pm
We are Cienna, a three-piece band from Central NJ. Our members consist of Darwin Aleta on bass & vocals, Jet Thompson on guitar, and Graves on drums! We make original music. We blend rock, funk, and jazz into a sound we love and we’re in the midst of creating our first project. We hope to finalize it by the end of this summer. We love to collaborate with all types of instrumentalists and vocalists. We’ve found that performance is a core part of our approach to music, and we hope to express that love at Rocktoberfest.
Jazz-Rock Fusion
Riverside Stage 2:30pm
The Midnight Winds is a jazz-rock fusion band composed of students at Millburn High School. Their music consists of original arrangements of songs by Herbie Hancock, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, and more. Since forming in 2024, they've had the pleasure to perform at venues such as the Short Hills Racquets Club and the Jersey Cares Gala and are excited to bring their energy to Rocktoberfest again!
Adult Classic Rock
Riverside Stage 3:50pm
Hailing from Europe, the Middle East and both North and South America, the Muffin Men are a band of international outlaw rock and roll enthusiasts, unified by a sound we have crafted together in NYC. Our music from comes from our home countries as well as old fashioned artists like Frank Zappa and is supported by intermingled well known American bangers.
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PaperMill Studios
Country Rock / Rock / Alt-Country
Riverside Stage 1:25pm
Bio coming soon!
TBA
Riverside Stage 12:00pm
Students are inspired to play, read, write and record music at So i Heard Music's Millburn studio. The So i Heard Music mindset centers around the fact that music is everywhere! Not only is music a standalone art-form, but it plays an important role in TV shows, movies, video games, and countless other forms of media.
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So i Heard Music recognizes music as a form of self-expression, and aims to help open that door to expression and creativity without the barriers of boredom or inaccessibility. Their goal is to teach everyone how to access music in a fun, engaging manner through private instruction, songwriting, and production.
A Cappella
Riverside Stage 5:50pm
Soulfege is Millburn High School’s student-led a cappella group, established in 2008. A group of passionate students dedicated to music, Soulfege is proud to have performed not only at local venues but on an international level. Yearly, Soulfege competes in national competitions such as Sing Strong and ICHSA. We hope you enjoy our sets as much as we love performing them!
Power Pop/Garage Rock/Punk Metal/Rockabilly
Riverside Stage 1:50pm
The Accelerators are an original power trio from Union N.J. that blends the genres of Power Pop, Garage Rock, Punk Metal and Rockabilly. Their music has appeared in several independent films. And they have opened for well known artists the likes of Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, Richie Ramone of The Ramones and Cherie Currie of The Runaways.
Rock Covers
Riverside Stage 5:10pm
Celebrating their fifth anniversary in 2026, the band was brought together through a NYC music school and have been performing rock covers ranging from classic rock of the 1960's and 1970's through more recent alternative rock hits. The band has been working on original music as well, also in the alt-rock vein.
Rock
Riverside Stage 3:10pm
The Spectrums are a New Jersey teen rock band bringing high-energy performances of crowd-favorite covers and original music with alternative, grunge, hard rock, and metal influences.
Rock
Riverside Stage 7:00pm
The Still Unknown is a New Jersey-based rock band bringing high-energy live performances to stages across New York and New Jersey. With appearances at venues including The Stone Pony, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Cutting Room, the band delivers a polished, crowd-ready sound built on strong musicianship, dynamic vocals, and a modern rock edge.
Classic Rock Covers
Riverside Stage 12:45pm
Parametric is a high-energy student rock band from Valencia School of Music known for powerful performances, tight musicianship, and an eclectic mix of alternative, classic rock, and modern hits. The group showcases talented young musicians who bring passion, creativity, and a professional stage presence to every show.
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The Deadlinez is a dynamic student band from Valencia School of Music delivering energetic performances of rock and pop favorites with attitude and personality. Known for their strong chemistry and engaging live sets, the band highlights the next generation of emerging musicians and performers.