Women Who Rock 2026: Big Voices, Bigger Hearts, and a Cause Worth Fighting For
An unforgettable afternoon of rock and roll at The Belle and The Bear brought together incredible musicians, familiar faces, and a community determined to make a difference.
There are concerts you attend for the music, concerts you attend for the experience, and then there are those rare events where the music is simply the vehicle for something much bigger. Women Who Rock 2026 was one of those events. On Sunday, October 18, The Belle and The Bear in Montgomery, Ohio, welcomed an extraordinary collection of musicians, music lovers, and community supporters for an afternoon and evening dedicated to raising awareness and funds for survivors of domestic violence.
And if you’re going to bring people together for a cause this important, you might as well turn the volume up to eleven.
I was invited by my good friend, incredible vocalist, and previous guest of The Jay Franze Show, Emily Schulte of Archers Gate. Having spent time getting to know Emily and her musical talents, supporting her involvement in such a meaningful event was an easy decision. Besides, when someone tells me there’s going to be an afternoon filled with exceptional musicians playing classic rock, they don’t exactly have to twist my arm.
Of course, getting there was another story.
It was a beautiful October afternoon, with temperatures hovering in the mid-60s, but life had other plans for my schedule. I found myself running later than anticipated, hoping that, like most good rock shows, things might be running a little behind. My biggest concern was missing Emily’s performance or catching only the tail end of Kieran Robertson, another talented musician and previous guest of the show.
Fortunately, luck was on my side.
After arriving, exchanging greetings with the familiar staff, and navigating my way through the crowd, I ran into Emily. She quickly brought me up to speed and assured me that I hadn’t missed what I’d come to see. Apparently, even my questionable time management couldn’t ruin this particular Sunday.
With that settled, I made my way toward the stage, caught up with a couple of fellow concert photographers, and settled into what would become one of the more memorable musical afternoons of the year.
A Small Room With an Enormous Sound
I’ve photographed performances at The Belle and The Bear before, so I knew exactly what to expect from the venue. What I hadn’t anticipated was just how perfectly the space would complement an event of this magnitude.
Was it crowded? Absolutely. Was maneuvering around with camera equipment occasionally an exercise in creative problem-solving? You bet. Would I have wanted this event anywhere else? Not a chance.
There’s something special about watching world-class musicians perform in a room where the distance between the audience and the stage is measured in feet rather than football fields. The atmosphere was intimate, personal, and wonderfully chaotic in all the right ways.
It felt like someone had invited an all-star rock band into their living room, plugged everything in, and decided to throw the world’s loudest house party.
The combination of indoor performances and outdoor activities gave everyone room to enjoy the afternoon, catch up with friends, and participate in the fundraising efforts. Despite the impressive turnout, the entire event maintained that comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that makes this venue such a favorite among Cincinnati-area musicians.
And from a production standpoint, I have to give credit where credit is due.
The house sound was excellent.
After spending decades behind recording consoles and mixing live performances, it’s difficult for me to attend a concert without listening critically to what’s coming through the speakers. It’s a blessing and a curse, depending on whom you ask. But on this particular afternoon, the sound was clear, balanced, and powerful without overwhelming the room.
With so many musicians sharing the stage throughout the day, maintaining that consistency is no small accomplishment. The production crew deserves recognition for keeping everything running smoothly and allowing the performers to do what they do best.
An All-Star Lineup With Something to Say
Women Who Rock 2026 wasn’t your typical concert featuring a couple of opening acts and a headliner. This was a revolving celebration of musical talent, bringing together more than 50 performers from the local and national music scenes.
The lineup included some impressive names, including Joel Hoekstra, whose résumé includes Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Cher, and Night Ranger; Britt Lightning of Vixen; Reb Beach of Winger and Whitesnake; and Tommy London of SiriusXM’s Hair Nation.
Add in performers like Melissa Singer-Reed of DV8, Emily Schulte of Archers Gate, Jacquelin Stevens of Miss Jacque, and a tremendous collection of regional bands and vocalists, and you have the ingredients for something pretty special.
What made the afternoon particularly entertaining was the collaborative nature of the performances. Special guests would take the stage, and one vocalist after another would step up to deliver familiar rock anthems alongside them.
It was a musician’s playground.
There were no elaborate production tricks or unnecessary distractions. Just talented performers sharing the stage, feeding off one another’s energy, and reminding everyone why live music remains such a powerful experience.
As a photographer, these are the moments I love capturing. The spontaneous interactions, the shared smiles, the concentration on a guitarist’s face, and those split-second exchanges between musicians who are completely locked into the same groove.
You can’t manufacture that kind of chemistry.
Emily Schulte Takes on Heart
After spending some time photographing the performances, I headed outside to catch up with a few friends before making my way backstage to visit with Emily.
We talked for a bit before she returned to the stage for what would become one of my personal highlights of the afternoon: a performance of Heart’s “Alone.”
Now, anyone familiar with that song knows it’s not exactly something you casually add to a setlist.
Originally made famous by Ann Wilson and Heart, “Alone” is a vocal powerhouse that demands incredible control, range, and emotional delivery. It’s the kind of song that can expose a singer’s limitations in a hurry.
Fortunately, Emily didn’t seem particularly concerned about any of that.
She absolutely knocked it out of the park.
From the quieter, more vulnerable opening passages to the soaring chorus, Emily delivered a performance that showcased both her technical ability and her command of the stage.
And that’s what separates a good vocalist from a great one. It’s not simply about hitting the notes. It’s about making the audience believe every word.
Emily accomplished exactly that.
Having followed her work with Archers Gate and spoken with her about her musical journey, I already knew she was an exceptional talent. Still, watching her take on a song of this caliber in such an intimate setting was a reminder of just how much ability exists within our regional music community.
It was one of those performances that makes you momentarily forget you’re supposed to be taking pictures.
And trust me, that’s saying something.
More Than Music
As impressive as the performances were, the real reason everyone gathered that Sunday afternoon extended far beyond the stage.
Women Who Rock 2026 was organized to support YWCA Greater Cincinnati’s Mission Forward campaign, an initiative dedicated to creating safe housing and essential resources for survivors of domestic violence, their children, and their pets.
That last part is particularly important.
For many survivors, leaving an abusive situation isn’t simply a matter of walking out the door. Concerns about housing, financial stability, children, and even the safety of beloved pets can create tremendous obstacles. Programs that address these challenges provide more than temporary assistance. They offer a path toward safety, independence, and a fresh start.
Throughout the event, attendees had opportunities to contribute through raffles, silent auctions, merchandise, and other fundraising activities. A special guitar auction, gift card tree, and raffle baskets added to the festivities while supporting the larger mission.
Making the effort even more meaningful was the generosity of the Barchetta Charitable Fund, which committed to matching donations dollar for dollar.
That meant every contribution had the potential to make twice the impact.
And perhaps that’s what impressed me most about the entire afternoon.
These musicians weren’t gathering for a paycheck, a chart position, or another line on their résumés. They were sharing their talents because they believed in something bigger than themselves.
For an industry that sometimes gets criticized for its egos, competition, and excess, it was refreshing to see so many talented people come together with a common purpose.
There was no shortage of star power in that room, but the cause remained the biggest star of the day.
The Perfect Way to Spend a Sunday
As the afternoon continued, I found myself completely at home.
Between the familiar faces, exceptional musicianship, impressive production, and relaxed atmosphere, Women Who Rock had just about everything I look for in a live music experience.
I could have easily stayed until the final note.
In fact, part of me wanted to.
But Sunday evenings are also family time, and I had two younger daughters waiting for me at home. Their older sister had to work, so I wanted to make the most of the time I could spend with the other two.
As much as I love live music, there are some things that will always take priority.
So I packed up my camera, said my goodbyes, and headed toward the door, leaving behind an event that was still going strong.
And while I didn’t stay for the entire evening, I saw more than enough to appreciate what the organizers, performers, volunteers, and supporters had accomplished.
Women Who Rock 2026 was a powerful reminder that music doesn’t always have to be about entertainment. Sometimes it can be about community. Sometimes it can be about healing. And sometimes it can give a voice to people who desperately need to be heard.
The Belle and The Bear provided the perfect home for that message, offering an intimate setting where the audience and performers felt like one extended family.
To Emily Schulte, thank you for the invitation and for another outstanding performance. To the musicians who donated their time and talent, the production team who made everyone sound fantastic, and the organizers who brought this remarkable event together, congratulations on creating something truly meaningful.
And to everyone who attended, donated, or helped spread awareness, remember that the impact of an event like this doesn’t end when the amplifiers are turned off.
Because at the end of the day, Women Who Rock wasn’t just about women who can command a stage.
It was about women finding the strength to reclaim their lives, a community willing to stand beside them, and the incredible power of music to bring people together.
Every show has a story. This one had a purpose.
For more information about supporting survivors of domestic violence and YWCA Greater Cincinnati’s Mission Forward campaign, visit YWCA Greater Cincinnati.
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