Apparently, melodic rock still has a few things to say.
And Lita Ford will be helping deliver the message.
Frontiers Music Srl has announced Ford as the first headliner for Frontiers Rock Festival 2027, scheduled for April 30 through May 2 at the Live Club in Trezzo sull’Adda, near Milan, Italy.
Joining Ford in the first wave of announcements are Harem Scarem, Paul Laine, Guild Of Ages, Grand, Care Of Night and Vypera, with additional artists still to be revealed.
For anyone who believes rock music reached its peak when guitars were loud, choruses were enormous and musicians occasionally wore enough hairspray to create their own weather systems, this lineup should feel reasonably familiar.
Ford brings nearly five decades of rock history to the festival, beginning with her days as lead guitarist for The Runaways before launching a solo career that produced “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever,” her celebrated duet with Ozzy Osbourne.
She’s also entering a new chapter following her signing with Frontiers and the release of “Dracula,” proving that retirement apparently remains somewhere near the bottom of her priorities.
Canadian melodic rock veterans Harem Scarem will also appear, bringing a catalog that includes their influential 1993 album Mood Swings and 2025’s Chasing Euphoria. The band is also planning another studio album for 2027.
Paul Laine adds another familiar voice to the lineup. Known for his solo career, his years fronting Danger Danger and his work with The Defiants, Laine recently returned with The Long Road Back, reconnecting with the melodic hard rock that helped establish his career.
Guild Of Ages will bring something particularly interesting for longtime fans.
Originally formed as CITA in 1993, the American band has reunited for a new chapter with Frontiers and plans a special festival performance dedicated to its classic album Heat Of Emotion. A new studio album is also expected in early 2027.
Because apparently the only thing better than revisiting a classic album is having some new material waiting around the corner.
Sweden will be well represented, too.
Stockholm’s Grand brings its polished AOR sound following releases including Second To None and Guilty Pleasure, while Care Of Night continues building on the melodic-rock foundation established through albums such as Reconnected.
Rounding out the initial announcement is Vypera, whose combination of traditional hard rock and heavy metal draws from the era of Dokken, Europe and W.A.S.P.
Together, the seven acts represent several generations of melodic and hard rock, from established names that helped define the genre to newer bands determined to keep it moving forward.
And that’s what makes the festival more interesting than a simple nostalgia exercise.
Yes, there will be familiar songs, familiar sounds and probably more than a few guitar solos that last longer than some modern singles.
But there will also be new albums, new material and artists still actively building their careers.
Frontiers Rock Festival 2027 takes place April 30, May 1 and 2 at the Live Club in Trezzo sull’Adda, Italy. Tickets and VIP experiences are on sale now, with additional lineup announcements expected.
The music industry may spend plenty of time debating whether melodic rock belongs in the past.
Frontiers apparently decided to skip the debate and book three days of it.
Information provided by Frontiers Music Srl.