By: Evan J. Thomas

What a time I had in Las Vegas, yes I know thats something most anyone says who goes to Vegas but in this instance its was different.  The music industry congregated for #HAPPENS 2026, a three-day event that brought together artists, radio professionals, labels, and music executives into Sin City from February 25–27. #Happens was a gathering for music, community, and discovery, the annual gathering intermixed industry conversations with live showcases and networking opportunities that helped connect the people shaping the future of rock and alternative music.
Held at various locations of Downtown Las Vegas, the event featured panels, artist performances, label presentations, and intimate conversations with some of the most influential voices in the music world. Attendees participated in daytime discussions on topics shaping the industry—from new technology and AI in music to artist development and the evolving relationship between radio and streaming.
One of the biggest highlights of #HAPPENS for me was hearing from those in the industry and the incredible nightly showcases within walking distance from Fremont Street.   An eclectic variety of music from up and coming bands like Magi, the raucous The Barbarians of California who put on a performance so epic that about 1/4 of the floor blew up into a mosh pit.  That band tore up Thursday night.  Other bands that I had a pleasure taking in was Red Voodoo, The Codefendants, Kurt Deimer (former client of mine with TAG Publicity).  
The acoustic performances blew me away as Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes took us back with a few of her grammy winning songs like "Beautiful" (written for Christina Aguilera) and her 90's throwback "Whats Up".  Other incredible acoustic performances were from Return To Dust and The Nocturnal Affair.  

The conversations with Magnolia Park, LYLVC, Mike Ness (Social Distortion) & Matt Pinfield and the highlight of the week for me was Brent Smith and Zach Myers of Shinedown playing 4 songs off of their upcoming album "Eight" due out May 29.   Having meet and greets along with photos taken with everyone was such a great experience. 
My Thursday night after the performances took us to a place called Double Down Saloon where we had a shot called "Ass Juice".  The people I hung out with that night along with my friends in the industry made this event one of the greatest showcases i've attended.  #HAPPENS 2026 was mindblowing and i'm excited to see what they have in store for 2027.  

By: Dan Sindel

They say rock is dead.

They say the audience aged out. That hip hop, rap, and country own the charts now. That guitar driven music had its moment and it’s over. And honestly? Sometimes when I look at the industry, I understand why people think that.

I teach guitar. Twenty years ago, if I asked a room full of students who wrote “Satisfaction,” every hand would go up for The Rolling Stones. Now? You can hear a pin drop. They know the riff. That riff is immortal. But they can’t name the band. That’s not just trivia. That’s cultural memory fading in real time. And yet… when I show them their first real riff, when their fingers finally press down hard enough and the guitar responds, their face changes. The smile says everything. In that moment, rock isn’t dead. It’s being reborn.

When I was 14, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin made me trade my trumpet for a guitar. His songwriting felt limitless. Jimi Hendrix sounded like he beamed in from another dimension and rewrote the rules. They didn’t ask permission. They didn’t conform. Even George Carlin and Cheech & Chong taught me that rebellion and humor go hand in hand. Mad Magazine shaped my cynical edge and I still hand-animate all my music videos because creativity shouldn’t be boxed in. Rock was never meant to be polite.

As long as I’m alive, I’m keeping rock alive. Not because it’s trendy. Because it’s truth. Because when someone walks up after a show and tells me my guitar playing blew their mind, I see that spark. Because when a student starts a band after learning their first riff, I know this thing still breathes.

Just be honest. Don’t let others shape your narrative. Stay true to your convictions.
Do you really think rock is dead… or has it just been waiting for the next generation to plug in? Tell me what you think.

RESPONSE BY PHILIP SAYBLACK
Rock (and metal, even) is not dead. This is really a multi-faceted thing.  On the one hand is the role of the media. There have been a number of doctoral theses on this topic. Higher ups at the corporate classic rock stations refuse to play new music from bands that are now considered "classic rock" and so do the active rock stations.

Let's also look at the matter of said rock stations overall. In the market where I live, there are ZERO terrestrial active rock stations. There is ONE classic rock station and on that station all you hear is the same crap over and over again. If I or others in this market want to hear that new rock and metal we have to go to YouTube or spotify (or one of those other outlets such as Deezer and Apple Music). Most of what's around here is country music and urban music. It's sad.

On a related note, the "death" of MTV ALSO plays into this. When MTV was around, the use of videos got rock and metal acts plenty of attention. Ever since the network dropped its music programming, which for decades was its heart and soul, that really hurt the rock and metal communities. So THAT plays into this, too.

This plays hugely into today's young audiences who wear bands' shirts but cannot even name three songs from said bands (as proven by Jared Dines. Jared, if you read this, please, dude let's get a conversation on this, too.)

Even with all of this in mind, rock and metal are still alive and well despite the view from above. The audiences are there and have always been there. The issue is that the attention needs to be given to acts big and small alike. That means word of mouth more than anything. Today's independent act is tomorrow's big act as long as the word gets out there enough.
As long as we, the rockers and metalheads stay united and show in strength, our support for the community in whole, rock and metal will never die.

On a related note, all of this goes back to one of my favorite movies that I have highlighted in my ongoing series, Phil's Picks' Must-See Standalone Movies, "Airheads." This movie is a direct commentary on how rock and metal have been relegated to the role of the red headed stepchild by the broadcast media. Again, media support and the lack thereof. Go figure, it bombed in the theater, but true rock and metal fans will get it and understand its importance.

I'll add some more to the discussion: Rock and metal to this day still have the stigma attached to them that they're just loud, angry music. This despite real sociological studies that have proven the positive therapeutic role of rock and metal in the lives of its audiences. People sadly still have the believe that it's just a bunch of distortion and screaming.

The screaming is that therapeutic release. It is getting out those emotions. I know all too well. When I'm upset or down, the screaming turns my sadness to anger and the anger is in turn released through the music. So there you go.

Ironically, so much pop music and urban music has so much sexualized content and same old same old content about relationships. It makes no sense. the thing is....at least I believe....that because the music is "happier" it is more accessible and in turn resonates more with a wider audience who refuse to accept the positive of the anger in rock and metal. So there is that, too, that stigma.
This goes right back again to what I've said. It's about word of mouth. Case in point: I've said all this before in my own stuff....

Sabaton: Songs about global military history
Ice Nine Kills: Songs inspired by horror movies
Evergrey: has written an entire concept album about the dangers of cults
Hatebreed: Empowering music inspiring self confidence

Machine Head: This band has been one of the most crucial in my life. Songs, such as 'All In Your Head,' The Blood The Sweat The Tears," 'Kick You When You're Down,' 'Imperium,' 'Wipe The Tears,' 'World Crashing Down' are all empowering works that delve into mental health. The band has even addressed drug addition, with 'Only The Names.'
Queensrÿche, like so many bands out there, has crafted songs loaded with social and political commentary. That mass includes even legendary thrash acts, such as Testament, Lamb of God and Exodus.