Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. July 14, 2026 – The free music lineup at Musikfest 2026 just got even better! ArtsQuest today announced that alternative rock favorites, The Verve Pipe, will join the festival, bringing a catalog of beloved hits and high-energy live performances to Musikfest 2026.
Known for their platinum-selling album “Villains” and enduring hits like “The Freshmen,” The Verve Pipe will take the stage on Friday, July 31 at the Air Products Americaplatz Stage at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, giving festivalgoers another opportunity to experience nationally recognized talent – all free of charge.
The band has spent the better part of three decades in evolution, creating a sound that transcends genre and generation. Rooted in pop hooks, alt-rock guitars and the sharp songwriting of frontman Brian Vander Ark, The Verve Pipe sound has taken the band from the golden days of late- ‘90s modern rock – when The Verve Pipe enjoyed multi-platinum success with hits like “Photograph,” “Never Let You Down,” and the #1 single “The Freshmen” – to the rule-breaking creativity of the 2010s and beyond, an era that’s found the band reinventing itself with each release. With a reputation for spectacular live performances, The Verve Pipe continues to create new music as an independent band, maintaining their commitment to forward-thinking rock & roll with each new release.
Musikfest offers something for every music fan, with more than 300 performances across genres on 15 free stages throughout the city. It’s a place to discover new artists, rediscover others and catch tomorrow’s headliners today.
About Musikfest
A total of 1,449,000 people attended Musikfest in 2025. The 11-day festival featured over 500 free performances across 16 stages located throughout both the north and SouthSides of Bethlehem. The 43rd Musikfest is scheduled for July 31 – August 9, 2026, with a special preview night on July 30, 2026. This year’s Musikfest 2026 poster artist is painter and illustrator Doug Boehm. The 2026 design holds added significance as the nation prepares to celebrate America 250, the semi quincentennial of the United States. Boehm’s artwork reflects both the joy of Musikfest and the unifying power of music during this historic moment. To see the poster and learn more about Boehm’s vision for it, along with information about the festival, visit artsquest.org/musikfest.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 2 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, and generated a regional economic impact of close to $193 million in 2025. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.