The Setlist

This year’s lineup taps into late-’90s and early-2000s alternative pop-rock nostalgia, as multi-platinum acts Neon Trees, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Smash Mouth join Augustana for a July 11, 2026 performance on National Life’s back lawn in Montpelier, set against the stunning backdrop of Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Video Courtesy- National Life Group

The Do Good Fest is more than just a family-friendly event for the region — it truly lives up to its name. Since 2014, the festival has raised more than $2.3 million to support Vermont nonprofits, benefiting causes ranging from cancer patients and hunger relief to children’s mental health and flood recovery efforts.

This year, the festival’s $10 minimum ticket donation will benefit the National Life Peace of Mind Fund, which will distribute proceeds among five statewide organizations dedicated to supporting children struggling with mental health: Spectrum Youth and Family Services, Howard Center, Elevate Youth Services, Clara Martin Center, and Community Care Network.

Another key part of the festival is the Beats for Good high school musician competition, open exclusively to high school students from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the Plattsburgh, New York, region. The competition aims to discover the region’s brightest up-and-coming young musicians. Whether performing as a solo artist or as part of a band, high school musicians from across the area are invited to apply.

The grand prize winner will earn the opportunity to open the festival, along with a $5,000 donation to their school’s music program and a $1,500 personal prize. The first runner-up will receive a $2,500 donation for their school, while the second runner-up’s school will receive a $1,000 donation.

Submissions for the event open April 3, 2026, and will run through May 4, 2026. A panel of local and national music professionals and educators will review each entry, looking at everything from stage presence and musical ability to overall creativity. Whether it’s a reimagined cover song made entirely their own or an original track that introduces fresh new music, Do Good Fest is open to it all.

The panel will be looking not only at technical skill, but at young artists who have already begun to figure out how to connect with an audience and present themselves as well-rounded up-and-coming performers.

Public voting for Beats for Good submissions will take place from May 25 to June 1, with winners announced on Star 92.9’s Mike and Mary.

Video Courtesy of 2025 Winners- Sixth Avenue Groove

The Northeast Kingdom’s own Kingdom All Stars earned the coveted Do Good Fest performance spot in 2022, a proud moment for the region and a testament to the depth of young talent coming out of Northern Vermont. Bringing together students from surrounding schools across the NEK, the group became a true supergroup, uniting young musicians from across the region and creating a space for their talent to shine.

At the heart of that vibrancy was Todd Wellington, whose passing in December 2025 left a profound void in the community. Through the Kingdom All Stars nonprofit, Todd helped showcase the talents of middle and high school students from across the area, giving them the chance to write, record, and perform in spaces they may never have otherwise reached. His passion for the kids of the Northeast Kingdom, and the energy and encouragement he brought to every project, are deeply missed.

Video Courtesy- National Life Group

All of the bands taking the stage at this year’s Do Good Fest carry the weight of a headliner, each bringing decades of history and songs that have become part of the soundtrack of multiple generations. Augustana brings the emotional pull of “Boston,” a song that still resonates deeply with audiences and has long lived in the hearts of listeners across New England and beyond.

Video Courtesy: Augustina

Smash Mouth delivers a wave of pure nostalgia and crowd-driven energy, with a catalog built on instantly recognizable anthems from the late ’90s and early 2000s. From “Walkin’ on the Sun” off their 1997 debut Fush Yu Mang to the songs that would go on to dominate summer radio and MTV countdowns, the band helped define the sound of an era and remains a perfect fit for a festival crowd built on singalong moments and throwback memories.

That momentum only continued with 1999’s Astro Lounge, which featured the multi-platinum anthem “All Star.” The track quickly became one of the defining songs of its generation, with its music video featuring the cast of Mystery Men, where the song was also prominently featured. It later found an entirely new life with its unforgettable placement in Shrek, cementing its place in pop culture history and introducing the song to an entirely new generation of fans.

Smash Mouth brings the kind of vibrant, upbeat energy that perfectly fits the spirit of Do Good Fest, setting the tone for a summer evening built on nostalgia, singalongs, and the kind of songs everyone in the crowd knows by heart.

Video Courtesy: Smash Mouth

Toad the Wet Sprocket brings the nostalgia of early ’90s alternative rock, with just enough of that college-rock sensibility that helped define the era. For Gen X fans who came of age in the early to mid ’90s, their set is bound to transport them right back to the days of Reality Bites and Singles, when alternative rock lived on mixtapes, dorm-room stereos, and late-night drives with the windows down.

With songs like “All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean,” and “Something’s Always Wrong,” the band helped shape the reflective, guitar-driven sound that became the heartbeat of the decade. Toad the Wet Sprocket brings a timeless warmth to the lineup, balancing nostalgia with the kind of songs that still resonate just as deeply today.

Video Courtesy- Toad the Wet Sprocket 

Neon Trees will headline this year’s Do Good Fest, bringing a catalog of alternative pop-rock anthems that helped define the early 2010s. Hailing from Provo, Utah, the band first began turning heads in the late 2000s after touring alongside The Killers, quickly emerging as one of the breakout acts of the era.

Their rise came fast with the release of “Animal,” the breakout single off their 2010 debut album Habits. The track climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the spark that launched the band into mainstream success. From there, Neon Trees never looked back, building a reputation for infectious hooks, high-energy live performances, and a sound that blends alternative rock, new wave, and pop sensibilities.

Since breaking onto the national stage, the band has remained a steady force, continuing to release hit after hit. “Everybody Talks,” from their sophomore album Picture Show, became their biggest mainstream success, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning 7x platinum status. Fan favorites like “1983” off Habits and “Sleeping with a Friend” from 2014’s Pop Psychology only strengthened the band’s staying power and helped cement Neon Trees as one of the defining alt-pop bands of their generation.

Most recently, Neon Trees continued to evolve with the release of their fifth studio album, Sink Your Teeth, released in 2024. The record leans into the band’s signature mix of glossy pop hooks, alternative edge, and emotionally charged lyricism, while still carrying the infectious energy that first put them on the map. Tracks like “Favorite Daze,” “Bad Dreams,” and “Cruel Intentions” show that the band is still pushing forward creatively while staying true to the sound fans have loved for more than a decade.

With a catalog built on infectious hooks, crowd-driven choruses, and songs that defined an era of alternative pop rock, Neon Trees feels like the perfect festival headliner. Expect a set packed with nostalgia, nonstop energy, and the kind of songs that will have the entire crowd singing along from front rail to the back of the field as Do Good Fest’s biggest night yet unfolds on the hill in Montpelier.

Video Courtesy-Neon Trees

The entire lineup spans generations, from Gen X through Gen Z, capturing exactly what Do Good Fest is all about. It creates a space where music bridges age groups, bringing together everyone from younger fans to longtime listeners for a festival experience built on connection, community, and a lineup that truly offers something for everyone.

In addition to a full day of live music, the festival experience extends far beyond the stage. More than 20 food trucks and local vendors will be onsite, alongside a beer garden, VIP lounge, and a Nonprofit Village that highlights the organizations and community partners at the heart of what makes Do Good Fest so special. The day is built to bring the community together, creating a space where music, connection, and giving back all intersect. The celebration will be capped off with an exciting fireworks display, putting a fitting exclamation point on one of the region’s most anticipated summer events. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

DO GOOD FEST 
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NEON TREES
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TOAD THE WET SPROCKET
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify

SMASH MOUTH
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify

AUGUSTANA
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify