GRAND RAPIDS, MI – In an era where major rock festivals continue growing larger, louder, and more expensive, Upheaval Festival has carved out something entirely different. Now six years into its run, the Michigan festival has become less about assembling the biggest possible lineup and more about building a weekend fans genuinely look forward to sharing together.
That philosophy was evident throughout the weekend. While larger festivals often rely on blockbuster headliners to justify soaring ticket prices, Upheaval continues attracting loyal fans with affordable admission, a carefully curated lineup, and an atmosphere that feels more like a family reunion than a corporate music event. Whether attending for the first time or making their annual pilgrimage, fans packed Belknap Park to celebrate heavy music together.
The festival’s three-stage layout gave every artist room to shine. The Rising Stage introduced audiences to emerging acts including Izzy Reign, Alyxx, and Approaching Autumn, each delivering performances that proved why they earned a spot on the bill. Across the grounds, The Lookout Stage rewarded fans willing to climb the venue’s signature hill, while the main Upheaval Stage hosted the weekend’s biggest performances against a dramatic backdrop overlooking Grand Rapids.
One unexpected storyline unfolded before Poppy’s scheduled performance. Citing concerns over air quality, the vocalist ultimately chose not to perform while her masked backing band completed an instrumental set. The announcement arrived roughly an hour after her scheduled appearance via social media, leaving many attendees surprised and searching for answers. While reactions from fans were mixed, most understood the importance of protecting an artist’s health under the weekend’s unusual environmental conditions.
Beyond the performances themselves, Upheaval’s personality came through in the smallest details. Security personnel cooled fans between sets with garden hoses, tossed water balloons into the crowd, and maintained an approachable presence throughout the festival. The result was an atmosphere that felt welcoming rather than restrictive, reinforcing the community-first reputation the event has built over its first six years.
That sense of community extended well beyond the music.
One couple exchanged wedding vows during the festival, while another attendee shared that they met their girlfriend at Upheaval the previous year.
“I met my girlfriend here last year and she’s the best thing that ever happened to me. If it wasn’t for Upheaval I would have never met her, so we’ll come back every year.”
Moments like those explain why so many fans return regardless of who’s headlining.
Friday’s lineup showcased the festival’s diversity. LNDMVRKS powered through a brief rain shower without missing a beat, Story Of The Year transported fans back to the early 2000s with “Until the Day I Die” while mixing in material from A.R.S.O.N., and Magnolia Park closed The Lookout Stage with one of the weekend’s standout performances.
The evening belonged to Gojira, though getting there required an unexpected adjustment. Passport complications prevented drummer Mario Duplantier from entering the United States, forcing the band to recruit Paleface Swiss drummer Luigi Paraventi after just a two-hour rehearsal. Frontman Joe Duplantier praised the young drummer onstage, joking that “Player 2 has entered the game” while applauding the remarkable effort it took to save the performance.
By Saturday, air quality had improved dramatically, allowing the festival to continue without the uncertainty that surrounded opening day. Jinjer, Set It Off, Bilmuri, and Papa Roach each brought distinctly different styles to the lineup while keeping the energy high from afternoon until close.
Jinjer proved once again why Tatiana Shmayluk is regarded as one of modern metal’s most commanding vocalists, effortlessly shifting between soaring melodies and punishing growls. Bilmuri embraced the controlled chaos that has made “countrycore” one of heavy music’s most talked-about emerging styles, blending crushing riffs with pop hooks and unexpected saxophone solos that had fans singing every word.
Set It Off transformed The Lookout Stage into what felt like a headlining performance of its own. Cody Carson left the stage to crowd surf, while fans packed the hillside well beyond the sound booth for one of the festival’s largest non-headlining crowds.
Closing the weekend, Papa Roach delivered a performance that celebrated more than three decades of history while proving the band remains every bit as relevant today. Mixing classics with newer material and weaving tributes to System Of A Down, Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park into the set, the California veterans reminded fans why they’ve remained one of rock’s most enduring live bands.
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Jacoby Shaddix introduced “Forever,” revealing the song was inspired by a letter written by his wife Kelly during one of the darkest periods of his life.
“Days come and go, but my feelings for you are forever.”
Later in the evening, Shaddix stepped into the crowd to embrace fans along the barricade before returning after the band’s final bow to lead thousands in singing “Happy Birthday” to a young fan celebrating his tenth birthday. It was an unscripted moment that perfectly captured what Upheaval has become—not simply another rock festival, but a place where memories are created long after the final note fades.
Upheaval Festival returns for its seventh edition on July 16-17, 2027, with early bird tickets on sale now.
