By Thursday, ShipRocked 2026 had fully settled into its rhythm. Day 5—another full day at sea—felt less like a cooldown and more like a deep dive into the heart of what makes this floating festival so special. With no port stop to pull fans in different directions, the focus stayed squarely on the artists, the stories behind the music, and the community that forms when thousands of rock fans are together in the middle of the ocean.
The day began with another round of artist meet and greets, giving fans the chance to connect face-to-face with the musicians who had been soundtracking the week. Midday sessions included AWOLNATION, The Funeral Portrait, Dead Poet Society, and Wage War—each group patiently posing for photos and sharing quick conversations with ShipRockers who had waited in line to meet them. Later in the afternoon, From Ashes to New, Suicidal Tendencies, and Knocked Loose took their turn, drawing long lines of fans eager to capture one more memory before the final stretch of the cruise.
Chaos and laughter collided during the ShipRocked belly flop contest, hilariously hosted by the one and only Cookie. With a hype-man energy that only he can deliver, Cookie encouraged ShipRockers to abandon all fear and launch themselves into the pool with maximum commitment and minimal concern for style. Contestants went all-in—arms flailing, costumes flying, and water exploding everywhere—while the crowd cheered like it was a main-stage headliner. It was loud, ridiculous, and painfully entertaining in the best possible way, perfectly capturing ShipRocked’s spirit of unfiltered fun and community absurdity.
DeathbyRomy brought a dark, hypnotic energy to the deck stage in the afternoon, wrapping the open-air crowd in her haunting vocals and cinematic soundscape as the sun beat down.
At 5 p.m., the Limelight Lounge filled for one of the most insightful events of the week: the Artist Q&A. Featuring Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose, Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION, Dustin Bates of Starset, Jules and Jyl Wylde of The Pretty Wild, and Filiva’a James of Shepherds Reign, the conversation peeled back the layers behind the performances and revealed the humanity behind the bands.
The conversation turned more serious when the artists discussed how they knew when music shifted from a hobby to a full commitment. For Knocked Loose, there was never a grand plan—just a mindset of taking the next step while attempting college and seeing where things led. Transitioning into a full touring operation and hiring a team felt strange, Bryan admitted, but the band has worked hard to preserve the integrity and joy they had from day one. The Pretty Wild shared a deeply emotional turning point, explaining that after losing their mother, committing fully to music became a way forward when normalcy disappeared. Shepherds Reign described their defining moment as the decision to write and sing in Samoan—a risk that ultimately became their identity and breakthrough.
Not every memory on the road is glamorous, and the artists didn’t shy away from sharing their worst shows. Shepherds Reign laughed about being young, drunk, and wildly unprepared. The Pretty Wild recalled a particularly rough show at SLS in Las Vegas. Dustin Bates told a story about performing with full laryngitis while opening for a much bigger band—and another unforgettable night opening for David Allan Coe where the crowd completely revolted. Bryan Garris remembered a Texas show with only 12 people in attendance, most of whom ended up on stage with the band. Aaron Bruno shared a chaotic early gig at a teen center in Northern California where the promoter never showed up with the keys, forcing the band to play only for the other group on the bill.
Mental health and songwriting became a central theme as the discussion continued. Aaron Bruno described music as the only thing that consistently makes sense to him. Bryan Garris emphasized that Knocked Loose always writes together, often retreating away from distractions to create, and that the process has helped him learn how to confront personal and uncomfortable topics. Dustin Bates explained that while he sometimes has to force himself to write, the mental health benefits often come as a byproduct of building concepts and sonic worlds. The Pretty Wild shared their collaborative songwriting process through shared notes files, allowing constant communication and vulnerability—an approach that heavily influences their debut album. Shepherds Reign spoke about honoring their ancestors and Samoan culture through music, using songwriting as a way to process life itself.
When asked what keeps them going through the grind of touring, gratitude was the common thread. Aaron Bruno summed it up simply: getting to play music for a living is a dream he’s had his entire life. Bryan Garris talked about his love for playing shows and traveling, even while battling a fear of flying—something he’s forced to confront regularly. Having his parents onboard ShipRocked made the experience even more special. The Pretty Wild emphasized finding positivity in everything they do, even joking about watching sphynx cats on cat cams to decompress.
Favorite ShipRocked moments revealed just how much the cruise impacts the artists too. Aaron loved playing for new fans in a completely different environment. Bryan pointed to the trinket trading culture and the tight-knit community that forms onboard. Dustin admitted he initially worried about breaking the “fourth wall” by being so accessible but found the experience refreshing and inspiring. The Pretty Wild called out the terrifying sky bike and the joy of constantly running into friends around the ship. For Shepherds Reign, ShipRocked wasn’t just another show—it was the best gig they’ve ever played.
As night fell, the music took over once again. The Funeral Portrait kicked off the evening on the deck stage, bringing special guests along for the ride. Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire joined them for “Voodoo Doll,” while Ricky Armellino (Ice Nine Kills) teamed up with Lee to perform “Suffocate City,” with Armellino handling vocals originally recorded by Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills.
Motionless in White closed the deck stage with a set that blended spectacle and surprise, weaving covers like Rammstein’s “Du Hast” and an Illenium-inspired take on “Nothing Ever After” into their performance before once again ending with the fan-favorite “Eternally Yours.”
Adding to the intensity of the night, Avatar took over the theater and delivered a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a fully immersive ritual. From the moment Johannes Eckerström stalked the stage, the band commanded the room with their signature blend of theatrical flair and crushing heaviness.
The setlist spanned their catalog, pulling the crowd in with tracks like “Captain Goat” and “Silence in the Age of Apes,” while massive anthems such as “The Eagle Has Landed” and “Tonight We Must Be Warriors” turned the theater into a unified sea of raised fists and shouted lyrics. By the time they tore into and closed with the devastating “Hail the Apocalypse,” it was clear Avatar hadn’t just played a set—they had completely consumed the room, delivering one of Day 5’s most commanding performances.
Day 5 of ShipRocked wasn’t just about loud guitars and massive crowds—it was about stories, survival, and the shared love of music that keeps this community afloat. As the cruise neared its final chapter, Thursday proved that ShipRocked’s true power lies not just in its lineup, but in the people behind it.