Sonic Temple 2026 Lineup Changes: Morello, Offspring Out, Chevelle and Pop Evil In

The annual rock festival in Columbus, Ohio has announced major artist replacements for its 2026 edition.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:00pm

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The organizers of the Sonic Temple music festival in Columbus, Ohio have announced significant changes to the 2026 lineup. Iconic rock acts Tom Morello and The Offspring have dropped off the bill, with Chevelle and Pop Evil now joining the festival's roster. Sonic Temple 2026 is scheduled for May 14-17 and will be headlined by My Chemical Romance, Shinedown, Bring Me the Horizon, and Tool.

Why it matters

Sonic Temple is one of the premier rock music festivals in the Midwest, drawing tens of thousands of fans each year. Changes to the lineup can significantly impact ticket sales and the overall festival experience for attendees. The loss of high-profile acts like Morello and The Offspring is noteworthy, while the additions of Chevelle and Pop Evil aim to maintain the festival's reputation for delivering a diverse array of popular rock music.

The details

Tom Morello had previously announced he would be postponing his solo tour dates to join Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band for The Boss' upcoming U.S. tour. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist was set to perform Springsteen classics like 'Badlands' and 'Born in the U.S.A.' as well as a cover of Prince's 'Purple Rain.' Meanwhile, The Offspring cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for their withdrawal from the Sonic Temple lineup.

  • Sonic Temple 2026 is scheduled for May 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Morello announced he would be postponing solo dates to join Bruce Springsteen's tour, which launched on Tuesday, April 1, 2026 in Minneapolis.

The players

Tom Morello

A renowned guitarist best known as a member of the rock band Rage Against the Machine, who was set to perform at Sonic Temple 2026 before withdrawing to join Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band tour.

The Offspring

A popular punk rock band that was originally scheduled to perform at Sonic Temple 2026 but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

Chevelle

An alternative metal band that has now been added to the Sonic Temple 2026 lineup as a replacement for Tom Morello and The Offspring.

Pop Evil

A hard rock band that has also been added to the Sonic Temple 2026 lineup as a replacement for Tom Morello and The Offspring.

Sonic Temple

An annual rock music festival held in Columbus, Ohio that features some of the biggest names in the genre.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed to see Tom and The Offspring drop off the bill, but we're excited to welcome Chevelle and Pop Evil to the Sonic Temple family. Our fans can still expect an incredible weekend of rock music in Columbus.”

— Sonic Temple Organizer

What’s next

Sonic Temple organizers will continue to promote the festival and sell tickets for the May 14-17 event in Columbus, Ohio.

The takeaway

The Sonic Temple festival remains a premier destination for rock music fans in the Midwest, even with some high-profile artist changes to the 2026 lineup. The additions of Chevelle and Pop Evil aim to maintain the festival's diverse musical offerings and appeal to a wide range of rock enthusiasts.