Phoenix Rock Lottery announces participants for 12th annual event

Psyko Steve Presents’ annual Phoenix Rock Lottery has just announced its 2026 lineup. While the event starts early in the day for the participants, show attendees can see the performances at 7 p.m. on January 24 at Crescent Ballroom.

Here’s how it goes down: The 25 musicians invited to take part gather at the venue in the morning to form five bands by drawing names from a hat. Once that’s done, the bands decide on a name, stop for a photo and then head to their respective practice spaces to make magic.

Bands get the entire day to write three original songs and learn a cover song of their choice. Then it’s practice, practice, practice before returning to the venue to show off their sonic creations. And, of course, factoring in some time to get gussied up first, for maximum stage presence.

Full disclosure: I’ve attended the Phoenix Rock Lottery as an audience member a few times and once as a participant. From either side, the spontaneity and mystery combine to drive excitement for both watchers and players. 

The emotions may be a little more weighty on the musicians’ side, tossing yourself into a situation with folks you probably don’t know, who play styles outside of your realm. I know I was thrilled, but also a tiny bit terrified.

Let’s not forget to mention that everything that happens that day raises money for local charity Rosie’s House, which provides free music education programs for youth. 

Twelve years and running, promoter Psyko Steve Chilton hasn’t lost an ounce of enthusiasm for this yearly mash-up. 

“I am excited about all the great young musicians we have in the Phoenix Rock Lottery this year. So much talent in Phoenix right now, and this is such a great event to showcase that. For me personally, it is great because I know very few of the musicians personally. In the early years of Rock Lottery, they were all my friends who I knew extremely well and knew what they were all about. Now I get to be much more like the rest of the audience and see what they all can do for the first time,” he says.

Here are the musicians participating in Phoenix Rock Lottery 2026:

• MaryAnne Muglia Smith (MaryAnne Muglia)
• Julz LaMantia (btchcraft)
• Diego Rodriguez (Diego Summers)
• Jude Kellen (Jude Kellen / fearofmakingout)
• Mike Spero (Authority Zero)
• Joshie Allon (Paralax / Pavilion / Ang Sirena)
• Allene Dugan (Morphia Slow / sewerbitch!)
• Mark Allred (Haymarket Squares / The Blood Feud Family Singers)
• Tyler Basich (Manhattan / Organized Crime / deathdotgov)
• Ryan Wheless (Space Travelers Union)
• Ellie Willard (Slug Bug)
• Andrew Anderson (Betting On The End)
• Chris Del Favero (Jerusafunk / Los Ésplifs / Pijama Piyama)
• Stephen Norton (Louden Swain)
• Mario Esposito (Malaise)
• Jesse Pangburn (MRCH)
• Daphne Greene (Daphne + The Glitches / Fairy Bones / Ghost Moone)
• Jonathan Saillant (Pijama Piyama / Jerusafunk / Alex & The Moondaze)
• Rafa Ruiz (Las Calakas)
• Melanie Caro (Twinstar)
• Haley Green (Haley Green Band / Scattered Melodies)
• Lennon VanderDoes (Lennon VanderDoes)
• Mo Maduro (Mo Maduro / MO’s Tavern / Goldstar)
• Noah Garcia (My Upside Down / Parole)
• Angelita Ponce (Lunes / Marloma)

Phoenix Rock Lottery starts at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) on January 24 at Crescent Ballroom for ages 16 and older. Advance tickets start at $15 plus fees. $20 plus fees on the day of the show.