Vertical Horizon Headlines at RTC!!!!!
Presented in partnership with
Artist Hospitality Sponsor
Artist Accommodations Sponsor
October 10, 2026 — Concert/ Sip & Stroll at the Pavilion
5:00pm: Sip & Stroll begins
@6:00pm: Virginia Coalition
@7:30pm: Everything
@9:00pm: Vertical Horizon
11:00pm: Last Call on Sip & Stroll
Vertical Horizon, created while the founders were at Georgetown University, went galactic with Everything You Want (1999, more than two million copies), the eponymous title track going #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts, and it was Billboard’s Most Played Single of 2000. Hit singles You’re a God and Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning) added to the acclaim. Their follow-up album, Go (2003), solidified the band as a no-nonsense, pop-rock sensation. Their 2009 album, Burning the Days, included hit singles Save Me from Myself and The Lucky One, as well as Even Now, co-written by lead and founder, Matt Scannell, and his close friend, Neil Peart (from Rush, who played drums on that and two other tracks on the record). This year has seen their latest single, Last Night of Our Lives.
And lead Matt Scannell has done more: writing Wish You Were Here for Hey Monday, featuring lead singer Cassadee Pope (Season 3 winner of NBC’s The Voice); teamed with Daniel Powter to write NBC’s Chicago Fire promotion, Come Back Home; and has frequently collaborated and played with Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Richard Marx (they co-wrote Marx’s big hits, When You Loved Me and Forgot to Remember). We are honored and privileged to have Vertical Horizon headline Rocktoberfest2.
Native sons of Virginia, having formed at JMU, the band quickly outgrew their local roots. Hooch, from their signature Super Natural album (1998, with indie label Blackbird), was featured in Adam Sandler’s movie, The Waterboy; from 1998 to 2000, charted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Pop and Hot AC charts and top 20 on the Modern Rock charts; and it’s been licensed in episodes of My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope, Yes, Dear, Clueless, and the inaugural soundtrack for Scrubs. Everything’s eclectic blend of pop, funk, rock, Americana, and soul embodies the universality of music. Aspiration. Movement. Elevation. Unity. They fittingly were chosen to close out the legendary, near-50-year run of The Bayou in Georgetown, and their “e” was ubiquitous throughout the mid-90s, appearing on street signs to t-shirts – including for those of us who grabbed a tee when they performed at RTC last year. Now they are back, to open for Vertical Horizon. Instant classic.
Virginia Coalition (known by fans as VACO) formed while the five founding members were at T. C. Williams High School. After releasing their first album, The Colors of The Sound (1998, independent), and 2000 follow-up, Townburg, the band logged 100,000 miles touring the East Coast by 2001. Their 2003 album, Rock & Roll Party (Koch Records, peaking #18 Billboard’s Top Internet Albums chart), made them a national must-see. They followed with OK to Go (2004, produced by Matt Wallace) and Home This Year (2008). Think the Bare Naked Ladies have a cool sound? Aah, you haven’t heard VACO. Now you can hear them, first time at RTC, Oct. 10, and it is FREE. And, wait. VACO is opening for Everything is opening for Vertical Horizon? FREE? SERIOUS? I must be living in an alternate universe. No, this is RTC and this is Rocktoberfest2! Get some!
Call 703-435-6600, x2 for day-of weather cancellations or event changes (also posted on this site).
- FREE and open to public; FREE garage parking on site.
- Sip & Stroll — grab beverage of choice at participating restaurants and bring to the concert! See below for details.(We reserve the right to have security check coolers — under VA ABC law, you cannot bring in your own alcohol.)
- No smoking/vaping; no video or audio equipment of any kind beyond cell phones for personal (social media) use.
- Bring a lawn chair if desired, but space will be at a premium. Only lawn chairs or standing room within Pavilion; no sprawl/blankets/tables (all that must be outside the Pavilion). Lawn chairs will not be permitted on Market St..
- Rain or shine, barring severe weather or electrical storms. Call 703-435-6600, x2 for day-of weather cancellations (also posted on this site).
Sip & Stroll Map and Rules
- Sip & Stroll allowed only within the red barricaded area indicated on the map (no vehicular traffic).
- Sip & Stroll will open 5:00pm; last call 11:00pm.
- You may not bring your own alcohol. All alcohol must be purchased at and consumed in cups provided by the participating establishments — Capital Burger; Masti; North Italia; CitySwing; Sixty Vines; Ted’s Bulletin; Makers Union; Uncle Julio’s; True Food Kitchen; Kusshi Sushi; and Fogo de Chao. No cans, bottles, or glasses may leave the restaurants.
- See complete Sip & Stroll Rules
