2026 Rock the Dam Festival

The 2026 Rock the Dam Festival proved once again that you don’t have to be in a major city to experience a memorable night of live music. Held at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater in rural Kentucky, the annual festival brought together a lineup that blended budding talent with legendary performers. 

Kicking off the night was Paralandra, an up-and-coming hard rock band that is continuing to make a name for themselves on the touring circuit. From the moment they hit the stage they immediately delivered a dynamic set that quickly got the crowd engaged. Cassandra Carson’s powerful vocals paired perfectly with the impressive guitar work of her father, Paul Carson, while Sawyer Rikard’s bass playing, and Dakota Watson’s drumming created a modern hard rock sound that made them the perfect fit to open up the night. 

Next up was Steven Adler’s Band, led by the former Guns N’ Roses drummer. The band delivered a set packed with songs from his time in one of rock’s most iconic bands. Adler was backed by a talented lineup featuring Ari Kamin (vocals), Micheal Thomas (guitarist), Alistair James (rhythm guitar), and Cristian Sturba (bass). The band delivered  the classic songs and had the audience singing along from start to finish. The performance was high energy and helped raise the excitement for the evening and what was to come. 

Keeping the momentum rolling, White Lion, led by original vocalist Mike Tramp, delivered a performance that reminded everyone why they were an MTV staple for so many years. For those of us experiencing the band for the first time, we quickly learned why they were a fan favorite. From Mike Tramp’s commanding stage presence to Marcus Nand’s guitar work, Jerry Best’s bass playing, and Troy Patrick Farewell’s rhythm holding it down, they balanced each other out perfectly. The band included many fan favorites in their set including “Wait” and “When the Children Cry.”

Originally Tom Keifer was scheduled to close out Rock the Dam Fest. Unfortunately, complications with his vocal cords forced him to withdraw from the performance.   

Stepping in on short notice to headline the festival was Great White, and they made the most of the opportunity. While founding guitarist Mark Kendall was absent from the performance, the band never let the change slow them down. Instead they delivered a set that was the perfect way to close the night. They dug into their catalog filled with hits such as “Rock Me,” “Save Your Love,” and “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” Bringing a new twist to the beloved classics is frontman, Brett Carlisle. Behind him, longtime members Micheal Lardie, Audie Desbrow, and Scott Snyder held the performance down, proving they remain as solid as ever.   

Now in its ninth year, Rock the Dam Fest has established itself as one of Kentucky’s premier rock festivals. Year after year it continues to attract both newcomers and diehard fans alike, who share a love of live music. Despite an unexpected lineup change, the 2026 edition never lost its momentum, delivering memorable performances filled with classic songs.