Early-2000s rock fans, get ready for a serious wave of nostalgia.
Taking Back Sunday announced on Monday via Instagram that they will headline the Musikfest on August 8, marking the band’s first performance in Lehigh Valley since 2014.
Musikfest 2026 is set to take place from July 31 to August 9, with many fun comedy and music headliners, including John Mulaney on Aug. 1, Train on Aug. 3, “Weird Al” Yankovic on Aug. 4, rock/country artist Bailey Zimmerman on Aug. 6, Austin-based country singer Parker McCollum on Aug 7 and AJR on the closing night. Many more acts are still to be announced
Held annually in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Musikfest is one of the largest free music festivals in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each summer for more than a week of live performances across multiple stages. This year’s lineup continues that tradition, with Taking Back Sunday and Yellow Jackets performing at the Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza. The Click Five will also serve as the opening act for these two bands that same evening.
Though Taking Back Sunday has three festival appearances scheduled for May 2026 in Mexico and the United Kingdom, fans were very excited about this announcement.
“ooooh that’s a fun lineup!🤩,” a fan commented on Instagram.
“STOP IM SO JEALOUS,” a user expressed.
“Yippee!” one wrote. “See you there :).”
Another fan commented, “ill be there! can’t wait! i just missed you guys at starland this weekend due to the weather!,” referring to their annual holiday performance at Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. The show, which took place this past weekend, but some parts of the state experienced more than eight inches of snow, which may have prevented fans from traveling.
“Just got my ticket!” a fan said. “So excited to see yall again! AND WITH @yellowcard OMG.”
“We are doing this and going all out!!! a fan wrote, and also tagged a friend.
Formed in 1999 in Long Island, New York, Taking Back Sunday broke through with their 2002 debut album Tell All Your Friends, which quickly gained a following and helped shape the sound of the alternative/rock era of the 2000s. They reached mainstream success with later albums like Where You Want to Be and Louder Now, featuring fan-favorite tracks such as “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)” and “MakeDamnSure.” The current lineup includes Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Shaun Cooper, Nathan Cogan and Mitchell Register.