(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Evil Genius Beer Company celebrates 15 years of very silly names and very serious beers - and a brand that was built on celebrating nostalgia - with a giant, all-day, all-ages block party taking over Fishtown. Evil Genius 15th Anniversary Music Festival will debut on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00am to 10:00pm, from Cecil B. Moore to Palmer Street on Front Street and from Front Street to Blair Street on Palmer Street. Headlined by 2000s alt-rock legends, Wheatus ("Teenage Dirtbag"), the giant block party will feature ten hours of live music, food and drink from around the neighborhood, two exclusive beer releases, and an outdoor market with nearly 50 local vendors, artists and makers. The fido and family friendly party is no charge and open to the public, with food and drink pay as you go.
"Fifteen years ago, we set out with a simple idea: 'Very Silly Names for Very Serious Beers'," said Trevor Hayward, co-founder of Evil Genius. "This festival is a massive thank you to our community, our fans, and the neighborhood that supported us along the way. We've always been rooted in nostalgia and there's no better way then celebrating with the music that helped bring us all together."
The festival opens at 11:00am with non-stop live music kicking off at noon, anchored by headliner Wheatus and a variety of talented local musicians.
* Kat Rivers & The Second Sight (12:00pm – 12:55pm): - Kat Rivers & The Second Sight is Philly's female-fronted Rock 'N Roll. Led by front woman Kat Rivers and featuring Ric Hass (lead guitar), Dustin Siebenaler (rhythm guitar), Liam Dazey (Bass), and Gabe Kirsh (drums), their music showcases jaw-dropping vocal range and tight musicianship. Their music has invoked comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Velvet Revolver. This summer, Kat Rivers & The Second Sight is the featured Local Shots Band of the Month for July on WMMR 93.3.
* Tell All Your Friends – Set 1 (1:10pm – 2:05pm): - Tell All Your Friends is more than a rock band - it's a full throttle sing your heart out experience for fans of 2,000s emo, rock, and alt anthems that defined a generation. From the raw emotion of Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance to the infectious energy of Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and beyond, they bring the soundtrack of your youth roaring back to life.
* Luna Pools (2:20pm – 3:15pm): Lunar Pools is an up and coming band from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that blends atmospheric textures with a steady, driven energy. Their sound sits at the intersection of shoegaze and alternative rock, focusing on layered guitars and melodic depth. The group established their sonic identity with the debut single "Craters," followed by their first full-length album, "Subtle Textures."
* Tell All Your Friends – Set 2 (3:30pm – 4:30pm): Round two of generation-defining 2000s anthems to get the afternoon crowd singing along.
* Madska (4:45pm – 5:40pm): Madska is self-proclaimed rose-colored rock from Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. The band is fronted by Maddy Rose Weisman with guitarist Sean Bonney-Burrill, and keyboardist Gabe Banford. Their lyricism touches on themes of yearning, nostalgia, and soul searching with a hopeful twist. Madska's sound, which sits somewhere between pop, rock, indie, and alternative, is unique: introspective yet driving, healing yet fiery.
* every7years (6:00pm – 7:00pm): Modern alternative rock drawing from punk and art-rock influences, led by dual vocalists Virginia Franks and Luke Hoffman. The band is currently preparing to release their first full-length album with Grammy-nominated producer Matt Squire (All Time Low, Ariana Grande, Panic! At The Disco).
* Disterbenz (7:15pm – 7:45pm): Gabrielle Sterbenz, AKA Disterbenz, is a singer-songwriter who performs a genre-blending mix of Americana, Folk, Gospel, and Rock. Her work melds timeless acoustic sounds with modern singer-songwriter sensibilities. She's been a longtime touring partner of the band Wheatus, known for their hit song "Teenage Dirtbag". She's also performed as a back-up vocalist with stints on The Tonight Show, Late Night With Seth Meyers, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Robbie Dupree, and Mike Doughty before setting off on her solo career.
* Wheatus (8:00pm – 10:00pm): 25 years after the release of their global, smash hit single "Teenage Dirtbag," New York based rock band Wheatus is arguably the biggest they've ever been. Fronted by singer and guitarist Brendan Brown, the group blends catchy power-pop hooks, guitar-driven rock, and quirky lyricism. In 2022, "Teenage Dirtbag" became the cornerstone of a viral TikTok movement and in 2023 the song reached the top 40 on international charts. Fresh off an international tour, Wheatus is continuing the celebration of the single's 25th anniversary.
In addition to the music, Evil Genius is honoring the 15 year milestone with two special anniversary releases. Kicking off the celebration is the release of Get In My Belly, an 11% ABV hot sauce Maple Chili Barleywine available on tap and in 500ml bottles. This specialty beer started as one strong, dark brew that was split in two. One half resting in a maple syrup barrel, and the other in a more unique find, a hot sauce barrel. Now, three years later, the clever brewers have blended the two halves back together to bring you this sweet and spicy offering.
Joining it, exclusively on draft on October 3rd, will be Look at This Photograph, a 6.5% 15 Hop IPA. This one of a kind IPA is packed with 15 different hop varieties (including Citra, Simcoe, Galaxy, Nectaron, and more) and conditioned on actual birthday cake. It serves up a lush, pillowy mouthfeel dripping with tropical fruit, ripe berry, bright citrus, and a subtle cake-batter sweetness.
The neighborhood will also be joining the festivities. Fishtown culinary staples like LMNO will be setting up an outdoor taco and margarita bar, and Mecha Noodle Bar will be serving up fresh hand rolls and sake. Attendees can also explore an eclectic outdoor market featuring over 50 local artisans, makers, and businesses - including:
- Gold Finger Design: Philly based graphic designer and illustrator
- Jawns & Ju nk: Handpoured candles and ethically sourced oddities
- Mohr Does Art: Painted portraits of pets and animals
- Jersey Ghoul: Pop-culture inspired sticker art
- Cracked Bell: Philly sports themed apparel
- Moon Lake Studios: Hand-crafted pearl and crystal jewelry
- Jrip Juicery: Cold pressed organic juices
- Resin & Bone Co: Laser-cut and resin poured oddities
- Panic Eyes Jewelry: Handmade jewelry inspired by bold, sculptural, and natural forms
- Lunar Sparkles Glitter Bar: Mobile Glitter Body Art Bar
- Sunshine Maille: Handmade chainmaille jewelry and trinkets.
- Azucar Jams: Small batch, artisanal jams capturing the essence of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Casual Covert: Iconic art for iconic people
- Young & Active Philly: Philly's most social sports club
- Bodacious Caricatures: Carciatures by Katy Molinaro
- Daylily Nightshade: Handmade, one-of-a-kind accessories
- Creon Critters: Handmade plushies and little guys
- Secret Society Woodcraft: Premium, hand-crafted, wood grain cutting boards.
- Venus Invictus: Fine perfumes inspired by Greek and Roman mythology
- Evil Sister Art: Hand cut and pasted collage art
- Egregious Art: Nutrition focused pop-art
- Dream Den: Wearable whimsy with natural freshwater pearls
- Nini B. Sweets: Small batch baked goods
- XZ Vault: New and used vintage sports apparel
- Kynn Peterkin: Memes and funny drawings
- 2Dyefur: Tye dye goods for pets and their humans
- Hideaway House Studio: Bright and happy goods
- Your.Fwens: A collection of handmade, needle-felted toys and apparel.
- Lemanie Snow: Snow Cones
- GrimGrimGrim: Philly/Metal themed art and prints
- Scary Mary's: Vintage horror and design
- Not A Bad Life: Self care goods
Evil Genius Beer Company was started in 2011 by best friends Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward. After 15 years and a motto of "Very Silly Names for Very Serious Beers," Evil Genius Beer Company now distributes to 8 states (CT, DE, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, and RI) and pumps out a variety of different core and seasonal beers to quench their ever-thirsty customers.
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