Photography by: Kimberly Kanuck
Review By: Janel Spiegel
AJR
Featuring Ryley Tate and David Wimbish & The Collection
Musikfest
Wind Creek Steel Stage
August 9, 2026
711 East First St. Bethlehem, Pa.
Bethlehem, Pa. It was a beautiful day for the last day of Musikfest. People from all walks of life filled the streets to capture the last moment of Musikfest… until next year. It was such a beautiful night. I arrived at Musikfest, and went to Media check-in. I must say THANK YOU SO MUCH to Bryn and Tehani. They worked nonstop and all the other people. I did not get to meet everyone, but I did say “Hello” and I always talk to everyone.
The crews worked so hard. The vendors, security, Bethlehem Police Department, Bethlehem Fire Department, the EMT’s. The VOLUNTEERS ESPECIALLY. A Thank you from the bottom of my music loving heart and soul.
Musikfest would not run as smoothly without all the people. Yes, I am aware this a review and I should get to the review. (I HEAR YOU.) Genuinely saying thank you because it is a lot. People think a few shows, a concert here and there. It is months of planning, and all pf the parking.
Also, all of the radio stations that showed up and had so much fun with all of us. Thank you.
Tonight’s show was different. You could feel the calm coming back to Bethlehem amidst a whirlwind of chaos and magic all at once.
I will say tonight was emotional but SUCH A BLAST. First, let’s take a moment to talk about up-and-coming artist, Ryley Tate. He is 19 years old and on the Musikfest main stage opening for AJR. He was humble and he performed with his heart and soul. He thanked the crowd so many times.
The next opening act was David Wimbish & The Collection. I had tears in my eyes for most of his performance. David shared a lot with the crowd. He was open and sharing what he went through personally, and how he did not allow the depression to win. Life can be hard, and nothing is easy. (Don’t worry, to my sister… I will not give my big sister, stolen, ROCKY speech… unless they want to hear it.)
Life will kick you and kick you… But you must get UP and tell life that you will kick its ass.
David Wimbish & The Collection did such an incredible job.
I must say the AJR concert was one of the ENERGETIC, and creative concerts. They shared how they made a song; they used to the screen and had a giant piano that they played.
The crowd didn’t need any additional reasons to be SO EXCITED. Before AJR came onstage we had a sing-along… There were a lot of kids in the audience and they played
“Don’t You” (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds, and all the kids were singing along. Way to go, parents… (insert me crying)
I was surrounded by amazing souls. I learned that the mom that sat next to me took her kiddo to four AJR shows so far. The kind souls on the other side of me liked my bracelets and ditto. They had friendship bracelets and they were having a blast.
AJR came onstage and the crowd LOST IT! They were excited, happy, HYPED, jumping, singing. I would say letting loose from everything in life that have become our responsibilities in life. I heard the same thing from everyone. From all walks of life… They just wanted to sing and dance and have fun.
Sometimes it is that simple. Sometimes people just want to “be.”
AJR opened and CLOSED with the same amount of energy, if not more ENERGY. They opened with the “OK” overture (Intro), and then went into “Bummerland,” “Sober Up,”
“Way Less Sad,” “Karma,” “BANG,” “The Good Part,”
“Yes I’m a Mess,”
“World’s Smallest Violin” was performed in the crowd. They were having a good time. They did a lot of audience interaction, and again they were humble and thanked everyone. Also, SHOUT OUT TO DAN THE SOUND GUY.
AJR had so much energy, it gave the crowd energy. I was also grateful my friend Kim was able to enjoy some of the concert after photographing AJR, and the opening bands. Thank you to the kind security lady who gave Kim the ticket. I saw her so many times and each time she was clapping, singing, and having fun. Again, people work so hard to keep Musikfest going.
The crowds, the vendors, the concerts… It is all worth it. The memories with friends and family. It made me emotional. (YIKES. Feelings…. ughhhhh.)
Back to AJR for a moment. They were so much fun, and if you get a chance to see them live, RUN AND GO SEE THEM LIVE. It is an experience. A fully interactive, futuristic, performance. AJR is Jack Met, Adam Brett Met, and Ryan Met. Three brothers making amazing music and traveling the world.
Thank you so much AJR, Ryley Tate, David Wimbish & The Collection, Musikfest, The Valley Ledger, ArtsQuest, Bryn, Tehani, SteelStacks, Wind Creek, THE VOLUNTEERS, Kimberly Kanuck who is beyond an amazing photographer, and all the love and respect for all the people.
That’s a wrap on Musikfest 2026… See you next year.
Follow The Valley Ledger Therealzellyzel.com
Janel Spiegel and Butterflyjms on IG.
Musikfest – ArtsQuest https://www.artsquest.org/musikfest/
Ryley Tate Wilson — better https://www.bettermusicofficial.com/betterstories/ryley-tate-wilson
David Wimbish & The Collection https://davidwimbishandthecollection.com/
