Sonic Temple has once again proven itself as a premier destination for modern hard rock and metal enthusiasts. Taking place over four thrilling days at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, this year’s festival featured more than 140 bands, creating unforgettable moments across a bustling 96-hour weekend.
With high-profile headliners like My Chemical Romance, Shinedown, Bring Me the Horizon, and Tool, the festival was a showcase of both talent and camaraderie, giving fans plenty to talk about. Let’s dive into some of the standout performances and memorable moments from Sonic Temple 2026.
1. My Chemical Romance Concludes Day 1 with a Theatrical Performance
My Chemical Romance continues to captivate audiences, and their closing performance on the first day of Sonic Temple was no exception. The band delivered a stunning 18-song set (as noted on Setlist.fm) that not only celebrated their iconic album “The Black Parade” but also featured theatrical elements that turned their performance into a compelling narrative. Lead singer Gerard Way paid homage to Napalm Death for their inspiration on the production.
During the set, Way brought out guest singer Charlotte Kelso to portray the character Sylvia for a duet on “Mama.” The encore featured the much-anticipated tour debut of the fan-favorite “Vampire Money,” leaving the audience electrified.
My Chemical Romance Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 14, 2026)
- 1. “The End”
- 2. “Dead!”
- 3. “This Is How I Disappear”
- 4. “The Sharpest Lives”
- 5. “Welcome to the Black Parade”
- 6. “I Don’t Love You”
- 7. “House of Wolves”
- 8. “Cancer”
- 9. “Mama”
- 10. “Sleep”
- 11. “Teenagers”
- 12. “Disenchanted”
- 13. “Famous Last Words”
- 14. “The End. reprise”
- Encore:
- 15. “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”
- 16. “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”
- 17. “Vampire Money” (tour debut)
- 18. “Helena”
2. Shinedown Pays Tribute to Late 3 Doors Down Singer
Shinedown’s set was not just a showcase of their extensive catalog; it also included a heartfelt tribute to the late Brad Arnold, former lead singer of 3 Doors Down, who passed away earlier this year. Guitarist Zach Myers led the crowd in a moving rendition of “Kryptonite” before transitioning into their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” showcasing the band’s emotional depth.
Shinedown opened their 19-song set with the hit “Safe and Sound,” blending classic tracks like “45” and “Sound of Madness” with newer hits like “Searchlight.” The collaboration continued with Chris Daughtry joining them on stage for a performance of “Monsters.”
Shinedown Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 15, 2026)
- 1. “Safe and Sound”
- 2. “Fly From the Inside”
- 3. “Cut the Cord”
- 4. “45”
- 5. “Sound of Madness”
- 6. “Second Chance”
- 7. “Kryptonite” (tribute to Brad Arnold)
- 8. “Simple Man” (cover)
- 9. “Monsters” (with Chris Daughtry)
3. Chris Daughtry: The Collaborative Star of Sonic Temple
Chris Daughtry emerged as the festival’s most valuable collaborator, seamlessly joining forces with other artists. During his own performance, Daughtry welcomed Lzzy Hale from Halestorm for a powerful rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” Later, he shared the stage with Shinedown for a performance of “Monsters.”
Daughtry Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 15, 2026)
- 1. “Divided”
- 2. “The Bottom”
- 3. “The Day I Die”
- 4. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” (with Lzzy Hale)
- 5. “Pieces”
- 6. “The Dam”
- 7. “Heavy Is the Crown”
- 8. “Artificial”
4. Breaking Benjamin and Flyleaf: A Collaborative Showcase
The synergy between Breaking Benjamin and Flyleaf was evident as both bands took the stage on the same day, leading to memorable collaborations. Ben Burnley of Breaking Benjamin joined Lacey Sturm for “So I Thought” during Flyleaf’s set, while Sturm appeared later in Breaking Benjamin’s performance for their duet “Dear Agony.”
Breaking Benjamin Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 14, 2026)
- 1. “I Will Not Bow”
- 2. “Until the End”
- 3. “Crawl”
- 4. “Red Cold River”
- 5. “Blow Me Away”
- 6. “Follow”
- 7. “So Cold”
- 8. “Something Wicked”
- 9. “Dear Agony” (with Lacey Sturm)
- 10. “Polyamorous”
- 11. “Breath”
- 12. “Awaken”
- 13. “Failure”
- 14. “The Diary of Jane”
Flyleaf Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 14, 2026)
- 1. “Chasm”
- 2. “Again”
- 3. “Fire Fire”
- 4. “Cassie”
- 5. “Call You Out”
- 6. “Fully Alive”
- 7. “So I Thought” (with Ben Burnley)
- 8. “I’m So Sick”
- 9. “All Around Me”
5. Bring Me the Horizon’s Engaging Performance
Bring Me the Horizon took the stage with an electrifying performance on Saturday, inviting a fan named Jacob to sing “Antivist” and viral sensation MAPHRA for “Doomed.” Their visually captivating set included hits like “DArkSide” and “Can You Feel My Heart,” and the band kept the audience engaged with fun banter.
Bring Me the Horizon Setlist at Sonic Temple 2026 (May 16, 2026)
- 1. “DArkSide”
- 2. “The House of Wolves”
- 3. “MANTRA”
- 4. “Happy Song”
- 5. “Teardrops”
- 6. “AmEN!”
- 7. “Kool-Aid”
- 8. “Shadow Moses”
- 9. “Kingslayer”
- 10. “Antivist” (with fan Jacob)
- 11. “Follow You”
- 12. “Can You Feel My Heart”
- Encore:
- 13. “Doomed” (with MAPHRA)
- 14. “Drown”
- 15. “Throne”
6. Tool Closes Sonic Temple with a Powerful Set
Tool brought Sonic Temple 2026 to a powerful conclusion with an epic 10-song set that revisited some of their most beloved tracks. Opening with “Stinkfist” and weaving through songs like “Rosetta Stoned” and “Vicarious,” they left fans with a memorable experience that resonated long after the final note.
