Pointfest 2026 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St Louis, Missouri on May 16, 2026.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor Sevauna Photography
Pointfest 2026 returned to Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on May 16, 2026, with a stacked lineup, nonstop energy, and a crowd that stayed loud all the way through the headliner. Early rain showers before the festival had fans a little nervous, especially since most people on the lawn and at the side stages had no cover. Luckily, the rain stopped just in time, and the sun came out for a beautiful sunset. The amphitheater quickly turned into the perfect setting for a summer rock festival. Between the packed crowd, local business booths scattered throughout the venue, and fans constantly moving between stages, the entire fest felt alive from start to finish.
From Ashes to New
From Ashes to New helped kick things off at Pointfest 2026 with one of the most energetic side stage sets of the day. They came out swinging with “New Disease,” immediately pulling the packed, sweaty crowd in. Live, the band blended heavy guitars with electronic elements that hit hard through the speakers.
The energy never dipped for a second. Before performing “Villain,” the band took a moment to thank fans for all the support over the years, which made the set feel a little more personal. By the time they closed with “Panic,” the crowd exploded into multiple mosh pits. For a side stage performance, it was absolutely main stage worthy.
Sleep Theory
My personal favorite set of Pointfest 2026 came from Sleep Theory. Their performance was pure chaos in the best possible way. From the moment they stepped on stage, the crowd’s excitement was palpable. It was clear that for a lot of fans, Sleep Theory was the main act of the day. Crowd surfers were flying over the barricade almost nonstop, especially during “Just a Mistake.” To give security a break from catching what felt like an ocean of surfers, the band played a cover of “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC. It was unexpected, but somehow it fit their vibe perfectly.
During one of their heavier songs, “Static,” lead singer Cullen Moore told the crowd, “When this chorus comes in, get loud,” and everyone delivered. Their mix of heavy verses, crushing breakdowns, and choruses that fans screamed right back at them made the side stage feel even crazier than the main stage at times.
Highly Suspect
Over on the main stage, Highly Suspect brought a more laid-back energy that still fit Pointfest 2026 perfectly and kept fans fully engaged. Their loud guitars and vocalist Johnny Stevens’ drawn-out choruses filled the amphitheater, while the St. Louis crowd shouted just about every word back at them. Highly Suspect has a huge fan base in St. Louis, especially since they never seem to skip the city on tour.
One of the coolest moments of the entire festival happened during their set when the sun finally came out after the earlier rain. It completely changed the atmosphere and gave the festival its true summer feel.
Mammoth
Mammoth delivered one of the tightest performances of Pointfest 2026. Their set leaned less on chaos and more on melodic rock, with thick guitar riffs and polished vocals. Every song echoed beautifully through the amphitheater, and the crowd swayed and rocked along to every chorus.
Even though their set felt more controlled than some of the heavier acts earlier in the day, the energy never dropped. If anything, it gave fans a much-needed break from nonstop headbanging and jumping.
Blue October
One of the most emotional performances of Pointfest 2026 came from Blue October. Their set felt deeply personal and centered on audience connection, which is something their shows always do well. During “Hate Me,” phones and lighters lit up the amphitheater while friends and strangers alike wrapped their arms around each other and sang every word. So many fans, myself included, have emotional ties to some of their biggest hard-hitting songs. The violin woven throughout the set added a unique layer that made everything feel even more intense. I really hope they continue making that part of their live show.
“Razorblade” featured a fantastic guitar solo that gave the audience a moment to really take in the emotion behind the lyrics. One especially touching moment came when the band gave a shoutout to Jeff Burton from The Point radio station, who passed away from cancer a few years ago. Blue October shared that he was not only a huge supporter of the band, but also a personal friend, which made the tribute feel especially genuine and emotional for local fans. They continue to take a moment to honor him each time they stop in St. Louis.
Staind
Closing out the night, Staind brought the perfect sing-along set, and it was one fans had been looking forward to all day. Their mix of heavy riffs and quieter, emotional moments made them a fitting final act for the festival. Along with Aaron Lewis’s iconic vocals, the crowd didn’t miss a beat on any chorus. They closed out the night with fan favorites “For You” and “It’s Been Awhile.” After a full day covering every corner of rock music, Staind felt like the perfect ending to Pointfest 2026.
What stood out most about this year’s festival was how balanced the energy felt throughout the entire day. At a lot of festivals, side stages can feel like filler, but that was far from the case at Pointfest 2026. You could tell people showed up for different artists all day long, and that made the festival feel even more personal. I loved seeing moments where the side stage crowds felt even more intense than the main stage audience. It really showed how carefully the lineup was put together, with both bigger names and rising artists getting their chance to shine. Even with the rough weather early on, Pointfest 2026 turned into the perfect summer concert day.
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer Sevauna Photography in St. Louis, Missouri. ©2026.
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