HOG Fest 2026 | An Absolute Rager For A Night Of Music
Hog Fest, which is sponsored by local radio station 102.9 The Hog, returned for another year of a smashing night headlined by Three Days Grace. Just last year, I had entered Fiserv Forum for my very first time to cover Disturbed with Three Days Grace as their opener. It was then that I learned that the band’s original vocalist, Adam Gontier, would be performing that night. The very same band lineup was there exactly a year later, closing out the night. I was super excited to be so privileged to photograph Three Days Grace again, as well as the openers.
All Photos By: Carrie BerganThe Funeral Portrait started the night off, and this band has been making quite a name for themselves over the years. To clarify, I am fully aware of the controversies surrounding the group; I am not here to discuss any of that regarding their set. Right before they entered the stage, all the lights dimmed and “Mad World” by Tears for Fears started to play over the speakers. The Funeral Portrait has a fully recorded cover of this song, and that’s how the band slowly entered the stage one by one. Frontman Lee Jennings came out with a spotlight highlighting his neon green hair as he sang along to the music just before kicking into their first song. He knows how to bring energy to the stage with high kicks and twirls to the music. Even though they were only the first to play that night, the crowd responded in unison to the vibe levels. They were jumping and screaming from the first note to the last note I heard as I left that photo pit. I’ve seen this group grow so rapidly that without a doubt, every single person in that room left knowing who they were. Especially the vocalist, because of that glowing green hair, I mean, it’s a little hard to miss.
Next up was Sleep Theory, and this was the only group that I had never seen before. Even with little knowledge of who they were, I knew that they were going to keep the levels high. I’ve heard so much about them from friends and in the grapevine. They came out with a bang despite the lack of light on stage. The vocalist Daniel Pruitt worked the room with his charm and mesmerizing dance moves. I definitely saw several women swooning over this man, especially when he flexed his arms to the room. The love for this group and man was undeniable. I definitely need to see them again because three songs in the pit were not enough, so hopefully next time I can just grab a ticket. Highly recommend them, especially if there’s a catwalk attached to the stage, because he was strutting his stuff up and down.
The final opener to rock the stage was I Prevail. This group has also had some controversies surrounding it, as they recently said goodbye to co-vocalist Brian Burkheiser. Again, I acknowledge these facts, but want to reiterate that the point of my review is the show and their set, not the band or the history. I miss Burkheiser dearly and have loved this band’s music for years. I understand everything that has been happening, but I will not be diving any deeper into these facts. I Prevail was the only band of the night to feature pyrotechnics, and I think when bands can use them, they should use them more often. The combination of their energy and the special effects makes for really cool images. The heat from the flames is absolutely no joke, and despite being as far away in that photo pit, I was feeling it. They kicked off their set, “NWO,” a song from their most recent album, Violent Nature, which came out last Fall. I Prevail is very clearly moving back to their heavier sound and beats. The crowd roared in encouragement and astonishment at the pyro on stage. A few people at the barricade were even chatting about how hot it really was, and if you haven’t been that close to the stage with pyro, do not underestimate those flames. The band played and gave the audience their all.
Finally, after that, it was time for Three Days Grace to take the stage. The screen behind the drum kit flashed brightly, flickering between the words, “HERE WE,” “FUCKING,” AND “GO” rapidly, picking up speed each time. Then all the lights turned off, the room erupted in cheers, and the band came out singing. Everyone in the room was screaming back the words, and vocalists Gontier and Matt Walst waltzed around the stage, taking turns to strut down the catwalk. After the first song, they acknowledged the crowd and Hog Fest for having them back; it was going to be a night to remember. Guitarist Brad Walst came to the end of the catwalk smiling as he looked around the room before kicking into the opening notes of “Animal I Have Become,” a crowd and one of my personal favorites. The room was clearly ready for it continued to scream back the words. After my first three in the photo pit, I made my way to the seat in section 116 to watch the rest of the show. For most of their set, there was a tiny little moshpit going on in the standing area; sometimes Matt Walst told them to make it bigger, and it would grow just for a few seconds.
About halfway through the set, the band slowed it down, and they set up a bonfire on stage for an acoustic set. They all sat around it singing and even teased us a bit with the “My Sharona” riff after three songs. After that, they kicked it back into high gear, and Gontier even ran around the room a bit, high-fiving people. It was such an amazing night, and even though they didn’t play “Scared,” I got to hear “Never Too Late” while the audience lit the room up with their phone lights. Hog Fest 2026 might have ended, but this lineup is still touring, so you can totally grab a ticket to go. But also keep your eye on 102.9 Hog because they almost always have something new to announce.
