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! 

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.

Blues Rock band playing Classic Rock inspired by traditional blues and roots music.

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.

TBA

A life-long passion for rock n’ roll brought together the members of Side Buckle - Michelle (Lead Vocals), Peter (Lead Guitar), 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.

We got spirit, yes we do!
We got spirit, how ‘bout you?

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!

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!

Shehnaaz Dance Academy (SDA), founded in 2012, is a pioneer Performing Arts & Cultural School based out of NY/NJ. Over the decade, we have trained over 1000 students in Indian Folk, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Bollywood, Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance forms. SDA, apart from being a performing arts school, also collaborates with corporations for cultural and dance workshops. We partner with schools for dance as a curriculum as well as an after-school enrichment activity. Team SDA and its students often perform at community and cultural events in the Tristate area. SDA also conducts Holiday Camps, Hindi Language and Cultural Exploration lessons.  We strive to ignite a passion for performing arts and create an immersive cultural experience for all.

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.

Red Dawg Mindset was born from a simple but powerful belief: every person has untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. After years of working with elite performers, championship-level athletes, and Fortune 500 executives, the patterns of success became undeniable.

It's not talent. It's not luck. It's mindset. The way you think determines the way you perform, and the way you perform determines the life you build. Today, Red Dawg Mindset delivers this message to stages, boardrooms, and coaching sessions around the country — helping people rewrite their mental playbook and achieve what they once thought impossible.

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.

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.

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.

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.