The Stage Is Set: 2026 Lineup Revealed
Battle of the Cover Bands Columbus 2026
April 17, 2026 • KEMBA Live! • Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, it’s time to stretch those vocal cords and dust off your air guitar.
On Friday, April 17, the amps warm up, the lights flare to life, and Battle of the Cover Bands storms back into KEMBA Live! for a night where music meets mission in the most electric way possible. This is rock and roll with a purpose. Loud hearts. Big hooks. Even bigger impact.
Assisting Board Happy Hour (Legacy Members)
By Invitation Only – 6:16 PM
We kick off the evening with our Legacy Members and Assisting Board for a special pre-show gathering featuring a performance by:
School of Rock Columbus
Owned by our inaugural Battle Columbus champions, Zack Attack
This performance-based music school is where future headliners are forged. Students ages 6 to adult train in guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keys, then take those skills straight to real stages across Columbus and Upper Arlington. Programs like Rookies, Rock 101, Performance, Adult Band, and songwriting workshops turn practice into performance and lessons into confidence.
They rehearse as bands. They play live shows. They build teamwork, stage presence, and swagger in the best way.
If you’ve ever wanted to watch raw talent turn into full-volume confidence, this is it.
Doors Open – 7:00 PM
Grab a drink. Find your crew. Prepare to cheer like you mean it.
Opener: Theo’s Loose Hinges
Blues. Soul. Rock. Stirred, not shaken.
Formed in 2008, this Columbus staple delivers high-energy sets that swing from smooth soul to gritty, whiskey-soaked blues without missing a beat. Fronted by Theo Perry alongside Kenny Caterer and Jeff Arszman, they’ve lit up stages at Natalie’s Grandview, ComFest, and venues across the city.
They perform originals. They perform cool covers. They perform like the stage owes them money.
Consider this your ignition switch.
The 2026 Competition Lineup
Three bands. One stage. One $5,000 grand prize. Infinite bragging rights.
BlueWater Kings Band
Defending 2025 Champions
The crown holders return.
The Bluewater Kings are not just a band. They’re a customizable music machine, scaling from a tight trio to a 14-piece show band. Their musicians have toured with legends like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Beyoncé, and Harry Styles. Casual résumé.
Their sound spans Top 40, Motown, soul, R&B, classic rock, and jazz. Weddings, corporate events, private parties across the Midwest. Multi-year winners of The Knot Best of Weddings and WeddingWire Couples’ Choice.
Last year, they brought the house down. This year, they’re back to defend the throne.
Medusa
Cleveland’s all-female rock force is rolling into Columbus with amps blazing.
Medusa delivers high-energy, edgy classic rock with modern bite. Think Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Joan Jett. Think swagger. Think Detroit Rock City shaking the rafters.
Featuring seasoned musicians from across the Northeast Ohio scene, they bring thunderous vocals, ripping guitars, and serious stage command. They’ve been lighting up venues across Cleveland, Akron, and beyond, and now they’re ready to make Battle Columbus their next conquest.
Prepare for volume.
Three Ton Toad
Columbus’ own high-energy party architects.
Formed in 2007, this five-piece powerhouse covers everything from AJR and Outkast to Blink-182 and AC/DC. They’ve shared stages with Joe Jonas, Shinedown, and The All-American Rejects, and they know exactly how to turn a crowd into a chorus.
If your goal is dancing, shouting lyrics, and losing track of what song is playing because you’re having too much fun, they’ve got you covered.
EMCEE: Jerod Smalley
Returning for his third year, Jerod brings heart, humor, and authenticity to the stage. A passionate advocate for early childhood intervention and a proud father of two sons on the autism spectrum, Jerod embodies the why behind this night.
He keeps the energy high. He keeps the focus clear. And he reminds us that every ticket sold supports life-changing work at The Childhood League Center.
Special Guest Performance: Silas Callison
Last year, Silas took the stage and absolutely owned it. A former Childhood League Center student, his powerhouse vocals stopped the room in its tracks and then lifted it straight into the rafters.
Silas is more than a performer. He is living proof of what early childhood intervention can unlock. Confidence. Talent. Courage. Possibility.
When he sings, you’re not just hearing a song. You’re seeing the impact of The Childhood League Center in real time.
Why We Battle
Battle of the Cover Bands is not just about who wins. It’s about what wins.
Every riff, every drum fill, every off-key audience singalong supports The Childhood League Center and its mission to help children with developmental delays reach their fullest potential.
Music fuels the night. Mission fuels the meaning.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, April 17, 2026
KEMBA Live!
Columbus, Ohio
Bring your friends. Bring your voice. Bring your competitive spirit.
The stage is set. The lineup is stacked. The battle begins soon.
