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In January, Baltimore gathered not just to watch bands play, but to move, participate, and show up for one another, whether that meant moshing and two-stepping or filling the room shoulder-to-shoulder for new music.
Brian Ennals and Tariq (Infinity Knives) at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, Jan. 10, 2026. Credit: Sam Levin
From New Year’s Eve til the end of January, Baltimore’s music scene carried 2026 in with packed rooms, benefit shows, album releases, and familiar venues beating with new energy. At Holy Frijoles and Ottobar, the Baltimore community gathered not just to watch bands play, but to move, participate, and show up for one another, whether that meant moshing and two-stepping or filling the room shoulder-to-shoulder for new music.
2025 ended with a New Year’s benefit show that crossed into 2026 at Holy Frijoles, where Mondrary, Muscle, Consumer Culture, Tripper, and Shock Collar helped raise $2,000 for the Abortion Fund of Maryland. That momentum carried into release shows throughout the month, including the self-titled “No Idols” 7-inch release and Pangelica’s album release for “Americana No. 1,” alongside milestone performances like Pinkshift playing their full album “Earthkeeper” live for the first time at Ottobar. Together, these photographs document a series of live shows that marked the opening weeks of 2026 in Baltimore.
Ashrita Kumar, Pinkshift sold out show at the Ottobar in Baltimore, Jan. 16, 2026 Credit: Sam LevinMadison Coan, vocalist of Muscle at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, NYE, 2025. Credit: Sam Levin.
Zechariah and Paris of No Idols square up at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, Jan. 03, 2026. Credit: Sam Levin.Tariq (Infinity Knives) jumping on the back of Eze Jackson (Baltimore Beat writer and director of outreach) at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, Jan. 10, 2026. Credit: Sam Levin.
Seen from behind the stage, Pinkshift performs their full album Earthkeeper live for the first time at the Ottobar in Baltimore, Jan. 16, 2026. Credit: Sam LevinParis grabs Zechariah’s head at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, Jan. 03, 2026. Credit: Sam LevinShock Collar at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore, NYE, 2025. Credit: Sam LevinBaltimore comes together for Mondrary, Muscle, Consumer Culture, Tripper, and Shock Collar and raised $2000 for Abortion Fund of Maryland at their 2025>2026 New Year’s Show at Holy Frijoles. Credit: Sam LevinPangelica performing at their album release show, Americana No. 1, at Ottobar in Baltimore, Jan. 23, 2026. Credit: Sam Levin
