Music at NAMM 2026

Of course, one of the most thrilling aspects of NAMM are the great musicians playing all day and the night as well. Below are a few highlights for me.

Pre‑NAMM JAMM — Wednesday at the Grand Theater

The 2026 NAMM week opened with the Pre‑NAMM JAMM at the Grand Theater, delivering a powerhouse showcase of artists who set the tone for the days ahead. Some of the highlights include a tribute to the late, great Ace Frehley with Tod Howarth of Frehley’s Comet, and a plethora of other celebrities including Grammy-award winning producer Larry Mitchell; songwriter for The Runaways, Roni Lee; Neil Turbin, original Vocalist of Anthrax; Marco Mendoza, of Whitesnake and SatchVai, and many many more. Truly was an amazing show, and I was able to talk to many of the musicians, including amazing guitarist from Japan Koji.

Metal Allegiance — Thursday at the House of Blues

Metal Allegiance returned for its 2026 edition with a brand‑new roster of guest musicians assembled specifically for this year’s NAMM festivities. The House of Blues show featured a rotating cast of metal icons including core member Alex Skolnick, Mark Menghi, David Ellefson, Mike Portnoy, and vocalists from across today’s active touring scene. This all-start band debuted their new song, Black Horizon. A key highlight was opening band Chained Saint, a high-energy group of young musicians.

NAMM JAMM Night — Friday at the Anaheim Arena

The 2026 NAMM JAMM at the Anaheim Arena showcased a wide spectrum of artists who are making waves right now across rock, blues, pop, and progressive music, hosted by Paulie Z. Too many performers to mention; highlights included Nuno Bettencourt, Corey Glover, Billy Sheehan, Tiffany (yes, that Tiffany!), Alex Skolnick, Phil X, and yes, surprise guest Corey Feldman. I was right next to the stage, so I got a first-hand view to an amazing show.

Ronnie Montrose Remembered

One of the most anticipated shows at NAMM 2026 was the 10th annual Ronnie Montrose Remembered tribute. Held at the Grand Theater, the celebration honored the legacy of iconic guitarist Ronnie Montrose with performances spanning his work with Montrose, Edgar Winter, Van Morrison, Gamma, and more. This year’s milestone edition featured an extraordinary lineup of musicians from some of rock’s most influential bands—including members of Guns N’ Roses, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Dio, Megadeth, REO Speedwagon, Ozzy Osbourne, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, Alice Cooper, Ace Frehley, Y&T, Slaughter, Great White, Trans‑Siberian Orchestra, and many others—making it one of the most star‑studded events of NAMM week.

There were also musicians playing around the conference, at company booths, and the hotels. A highlight was the Alex Skolnick Trio – the man was playing everywhere, he seems to have boundless energy (and insane guitar skills!). Overall, it was a very worthwhile event to attend, and I’ll be back next year!