by photojournalist Dan Fernandez
On Friday, March 20, 2026, The BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida, came alive with the electrifying atmosphere of the annual 98 Rock Fest (let’s just not count 2025.) Co-headlined by hard rock titans Three Days Grace and I Prevail, the lineup promised a night filled with hard-hitting riffs and unforgettable performances. The event successfully delivered on those promises, showcasing both the well-established acts and exciting newcomers on the lineup.
The evening kicked off with the vibrant energy of The Pretty Wild a duo of sisters, Jyl and Jude Wylde, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada. Although their 30-minute set was on the shorter side, they managed to showcase much of what has made them such a huge in the viral metal scene, embracing the “Baddie-core” label that has been bestowed upon them. Their stage powerful presence and strong vocal prowess captivated the audience, setting the initial tone for a thrilling night ahead.
Following The Pretty Wild, Atlanta, Georgia’s The Funeral Portrait took the stage. Featuring a lineup that includes Lee Jennings, Cody Weissinger, Robert Weston, Homer Umbanhower, and Gareth Calk, the band energized the crowd with their driving beats, genre bending approach and poignant lyrics. Having shared the stage with major acts like August Burns Red and Five Finger Death Punch, and Tampa’s own legends of the metal world Underoath their performance was a steady reminder of their growing reputation in the rock world.
Next up was Sleep Theory, a promising band from Memphis, Tennessee. Comprised of Cullen Moore, Daniel Pruitt, Paolo Vergara, and Ben Pruitt, Sleep Theory has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity since their formation in 2019. Their connection with the audience was unmistakable, as they seamlessly amplified the enthusiasm in the venue and drew the crowd further into their gravitational pull. Whether it be through their powerful pre-show acoustic set or their electric performance on the main stage fans took a special shine to Sleep Theory.
Michigan rockers I Prevail were the penultimate act of the night. With members Eric Vanlerberghe, Steve Menoian, Dylan Bowman, Gabe Helguera, and Jon Eberhard, the band has become a staple in the Tampa Bay area, delivering knock out performance after knock out performance over the last three consecutive years. Their setlist, peppered with Grammy nominations and Platinum hits, reaffirmed their reputation as one of the top American rock bands today, entrancing the audience with every note.
Finally, the evening crescendoed with the headlining act, Three Days Grace. Originating from Norwood, Ontario (formerly known as Groundswell from 1992-1995) the band has been a powerhouse in the American rock scene since reforming in 1997 under the moniker that we all know them as today. Three Days Grace has held their relevancy by keeping a vigorous touring schedule, as well as releasing eight studio albums to date. Throughout their roster of releases the guys have achieved mass notoriety by producing 20 number one hits on various Billboard Charts and achieving several certified platinum or gold benchmarks. The current lineup includes Neil Sanderson, Barry Stock, Brad Walst, with co-vocalists Matt Walst and Adam Gontier sharing the limelight after the latters return to the band in 2024. Many fans would argue that the decision to pair the two vocalists, rather than replacing Walst in favor of their original front man has led to the emergence of the bands most compelling and powerful sound yet. Their set list was a relentless barrage of hits, including crowd favorites “So Called Life,” “The Mountain,” “Kill Me Fast,” “Apologies,” “Never Too Late” and the iconic “I Hate Everything About You,” which immediately sent the audience into a frenzy upon recognition of the first note.
With an exceptional lineup and yet another successful year, 98 Rock Fest has firmly established itself as a highlight on the annual calendar, continuing the tradition of rocking the bay in style. The event planners could not have chosen a better location to hold the show as Clearwater’s top open air venue, The BayCare Sound, enhanced the evening’s atmosphere by serving up a pleasant sea-breeze that was more than welcome after a scorching hot day. After such a remarkable celebration of hard rock, I for one am eagerly anticipating seeing what the powers that be have in store for 2027. Rock on, Clearwater, until next year!
