The midtown bar and music venue will host students, instructors, and local bands for an epic day-long showcase benefiting houston food bank on november 22
Axelrad, the Midtown bar and beer garden, is teaming up with School of Rock Houston for an epic music festival and artist showcase dubbed Radfest on November 22 (Noon to Midnight). The lineup will feature headliners Daikaiju and Los Skarnales alongside other standout local acts such as Swimwear Department and The Final Riot, plus performances by School of Rock students and instructors, and sets from Houston-based bands and DJs throughout the day and into the evening. Delicious food options and bar offerings will round out the event, which aims to fill the Houston festival void with a celebration of the city’s vibrant, homegrown music scene–all while raising funds and awareness for Houston Food Bank.
Spanning three stages, Radfest will showcase talent from sixteen School of Rock locations across Greater Houston. Beginning at noon, students and alumni will take the stage for high-energy sets that highlight the next generation of Houston talent. Throughout the day, performances will rotate across two outdoor stages, including a main stage, and the cozy indoor stage upstairs at Axelrad, featuring instructors, local acts, and special guests as the festival builds toward an evening of full-scale performances.
Festival headliners Daikaiju and Los Skarnales will bring their signature high-energy performances to the main stage. Known for their theatrical surf-rock shows, Daikaiju combines masked personas, pyrotechnic flair, and “most high rocket attack” sound for an unforgettable live experience. Los Skarnales, one of Houston’s most beloved and enduring bands, blends ska, reggae, rockabilly, and cumbia with a punk attitude—most recently showcased on their new EP Another Day, Another Borrachera. Together, they’ll anchor a day that celebrates Houston’s eclectic and ever-evolving music scene.
With sixteen Houston-area schools represented, School of Rock has become a cornerstone of the city’s creative community, inspiring students of all ages to develop their musical skills through performance-based education. Students regularly perform at local venues and community events, gaining hands-on experience while connecting with Houston’s broader music culture—a mission perfectly aligned with Radfest’s celebration of live music and collaboration.
“I’ve always been a fan of Axelrad,” says Nicole Starch, general manager of School of Rock Katy. “Over the past decade, Houston has lost so many of the venues and festivals that once gave local bands a stage. We wanted to create something that gives our students a safe, genuine entry point into the city’s live music scene while helping to bring that energy back. Axelrad was the first place we thought of, and we were thrilled when they jumped on board to make it happen.”
“We are huge fans of the work being done at School of Rock and the impact the programming has on young musicians,” says Adam Brackman, Axelrad co-owner. “Opening up our space for these students to shine and to support local musicians, which is a huge part of our mission here year-round, was a no-brainer for us. This year we’re also proud to partner with Houston Food Bank to give back while celebrating Houston’s music community. We invite the city to come check out some incredible talent, choice cocktails, delicious food, and festival vibes in gorgeous Houston weather.”
In true festival fashion, food and beverages will be available for guests to enjoy throughout the day and night. With Axelrad serving cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine, the food options include Homies, the casual mobile eatery dishing up tacos and sandwiches along with tater tots, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and more; Tita’s Tamales; Luigi’s Pizzeria; and others.
“Radfest is the kind of event we’ve always wanted to build,” says David Sosa, Axelrad production manager and Radfest event coordinator. “Axelrad has become a place where Houston’s music community can experiment, collaborate, and grow—where genres mix and audiences discover something new every time they walk in. Radfest captures that spirit on a larger scale, bringing together emerging artists, local favorites, and national acts across three stages. Our hope is to keep building on this momentum and grow Radfest into one of Houston’s defining music festivals.”
General admission tickets are available for $20 prior to the event, with VIP packages available for $40. VIP guests will enjoy drink specials ($3 Mimosas, $4 Wells, $5 Wine, Margaritas, MichelRADas, and 20% off Frozens and Fancy Pants beers), a commemorative t-shirt, and various amenities including reserved seating in a designated area at the festival. General admission tickets increase to $25 at the door.
In addition to celebrating Houston’s vibrant music scene, Radfest will also give back to the community through a partnership with Houston Food Bank, with a goal of raising $2,500 — enough to provide 7,500 meals for local families. Guests can support the cause throughout the day by donating via QR codes placed at merchandise tables, purchasing specialty cocktails (each contributing $1 to Houston Food Bank), entering a raffle benefiting the organization, or bringing a nonperishable food donation to receive a complimentary Radfest poster.
ABOUT AXELRAD
Axelrad is Houston’s gathering place. A beer garden and arts community hub, the circa-1920s AXELRAD building is bordered by a stunning 12,000 square-foot garden full of native, regional, and heirloom plants; sculptures and other art installations; plenty of seating for large and small gatherings; a colorful hammock grove for lounging; and more. Live music, film screenings, festivals, and other events are hosted in the historic space, while a rotating cast of food vendors offer delicious eats alongside the bar’s extensive cocktail, beer, and wine menus. Axelrad is open Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. – 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. For event calendars and more information, please visit http://www.axelradbeergarden.com/.
ABOUT SCHOOL OF ROCK
School of Rock is the world’s largest and most trusted multi-location music school with tens of thousands of musicians going through our classes, workshops, camps and performance programs every day. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1998, School of Rock now has over 400 locations in 16 different countries, helping aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity, and develop tools they need to thrive in life. School of Rock is a music school for all skill levels, ages, and musical aspirations. With students ranging from toddlers to adults, School of Rock is where music students grow into real musicians. School of Rock is Music School reimagined. The patented School of Rock Method uses programs that are designed to encourage learning in a supportive environment where students of all skill levels are comfortable and engaged. We take the music school concept to the next level for kids, teens, and adults. To learn more, visit https://www.schoolofrock.com/.
