Rails We're Ready to Ride in 2026

We've been taking some time to reflect on what was a crazy, good year for concerts. Our family made it out to our first show in February and last show in December. We visited big venues like Alpine Valley, small venues like The X-Ray Arcade, and even a cruise ship. We saw up-and-coming artists like Senses and Lakeview and established acts like Creed, Garbage, and Fuel. 

Despite all of the great shows we rocked out at this year, there are bands we failed to see. So we've been thinking about who all we want to make sure we see in 2026. 




I'll start with bands we've seen before and are absolutely looking forward to seeing again:

  1. Fuel - Yes, my favorite. Yes, I'm biased. But the live energy of the show is not to be missed, and I'm not about to miss a chance to sing-a-long with Shimmer or Won't Back Down or Last Time, etc. They're touring with Lit again and they've added Switchfoot to the bill. 
  2. Senses - Love the energy, love the vocals. Love the emo friendly, punk curious vibes. Hoping they swing back through Wisconsin in 2026 - maybe somewhere like High Noon Saloon or Vivarium would be the right venue if headlining. 
  3. Mammoth - Saw them in 2025 at Alpine Valley as part of the Summer of 99 and Beyond show, would love to make it out to see them in 2026. They are headlining an expanded The End tour with 10 Years. 

Bands we haven't seen yet - this is arguably the more important list:

  1. Those Damn Crows - still waiting for them to drop a tour schedule for 2026 and keeping my fingers crossed that they'll come to the US. If they don't....well, we'll see what works out.
  2. Deer Fang - Would love to see them cross the US / Canada border and tour the US. Feels like the Red Room at the Annex would be the right venue if they come to the Midwest. 
  3. BRKN LOVE - We missed them when came through Wausau with Adelita's Way this year but have it on good authority that they sounded amazing and that they are legitimately cool guys. The Program is a great album, would love to catch them live, no tour dates out currently. 
  4. Smash Into Pieces - Have been watching their tour schedule, it's mostly in Sweden, which makes total sense, but they have some other European dates out too. Might have to watch their schedule and compare with Those Damn Crows - maybe get lucky and they'll play near each other to make it a trip across the pond worthwhile? 
  5. One OK Rock - Toured the US last year but didn't come to Wisconsin and we didn't make a trip out to see them. All 2026 dates are are in Asia or Australia currently. 
Who's on your list for 2026? Maybe we'll see you out there, rail warriors. 

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