Following the epic Gates of Agartha collaboration in early June and parties with Amelie Lens and Black Coffee in July, BSH Events will round out a superb season on 7th August when the legendary Carl Cox headlines a special open-air performance at Croatia’s ancient quarry venue, Cave Romane.
Carved into the Istrian landscape near Vinkuran, Cave Romane is far removed from the traditional architecture of clubs and festival grounds. Formed through centuries of excavation, the former Roman quarry is surrounded by vast limestone walls that rise dramatically around the dancefloor, creating a stark, almost cinematic setting defined by echo, scale and exposed natural texture.
Carl Cox arrives at the venue as one of dance music’s most established and influential figures. Renowned for his infectious energy behind the decks as well as technical precision on them, he moves with authority between house, techno and acid-rooted sounds, which is why he has remained a defining presence in global club culture for decades. From his roots in the UK rave movement through to headline appearances at festivals and clubs worldwide, his performances continue to bridge classic selections with new school sounds.
Rather than imposing a conventional festival production onto the site, BSH Events’ visual concept is designed in collaboration with Highscream, a creative production company renowned for high-energy live shows and immersive entertainment spaces. They will work in direct dialogue with the quarry’s physical environment and transform it with laser mapping, immersive lighting and large-scale visual installations which will bring the rock surfaces and open vertical spaces of Cave Romane to life while retaining the raw identity of the quarry itself.
The event forms part of BSH Events’ wider programme of destination electronic music experiences across Croatia, following recent large-scale shows at Cave Romane including Black Coffee’s performance at Pula Arena. Through its use of historic and culturally significant locations, the promoter continues to develop a distinct identity within the European electronic music landscape.
Tickets are available viaentrio.hr, starting from 49.00 EUR
BSH Events Presents Carl Cox at Cave Romane, Croatia
Three-time European Best Major Festival winner EXIT is bringing its globally recognised festival experience to Egypt this October with the launch of Starlight Festival, a brand-new multi-day concept taking place from October 8th-11th near the Great Pyramids of Giza in partnership with Venture Lifestyle and its electronic music platform P+US.
Leading the lineup are Charlotte de Witte with an exclusive first-ever performance in Egypt, Michael Bibi bringing his sound to the pyramids for the very first time, and global melodic techno phenomenon Adriatique, returning to the iconic location after previously delivering a monumental show attended by nearly 10,000 people. The programme further brings together Vintage Culture, Pete Tong, WhoMadeWho and Enrico Sangiuliano, alongside dozens of regional and international artists.
Set against the desert sands beside one of the world’s most significant symbols of ancient civilisation, Starlight will unite the global electronic music community within a setting shaped by thousands of years of history, while bringing together one of the strongest electronic lineups the region has seen to date.
As one of the key stops of EXIT’s expanding global tour, the festival’s main nights will take place on October 9 and 10 near the pyramids, while opening and closing events will unfold across selected locations throughout Cairo. Across more than five festival stages and zones, Starlight will also feature one of the world’s most advanced VR experiences, originally unveiled at Expo Dubai.
Starlight’s two main festival nights will be held on October 9 and 10 against the Great Pyramids of Giza, while the opening and closing events will unfold across selected locations throughout Cairo. Across more than five festival stages and zones, Starlight will also feature one of the world’s most advanced VR experiences, originally unveiled at Expo Dubai. As with other events held in the area, Starlight will not be staged directly at the pyramids, which will serve as a monumental backdrop from a specially designated location developed in accordance with the site’s historical importance and protected status.
Dušan Kovačević, founder and CEO of EXIT Festival, said: “It is a great honour to be invited to bring the premium festival concept near one of the grandest monuments in human history. EXIT has always been known for combining world-class entertainment with a strong social mission, which in this case will be dedicated to celebrating Egypt’s extraordinary cultural heritage to a global audience. We are especially pleased to have Venture Lifestyle as our partner on this project, given their reputation for delivering exceptional events in the region.”
Highlighting the growing importance of music tourism whose total value is over $100 billion globally, Rabih Mokbel, founder and CEO of Venture Lifestyle and its platform P+US, added: “It’s an honour for us at Venture Lifestyle to co-create Starlight alongside EXIT, a festival that has shaped the European scene for more than two decades. Bringing this legacy together in Egypt represents a major milestone for the region. We believe our collaboration will introduce a new generation of festival experiences and set a new benchmark for entertainment across MENA. Working hand-in-hand with EXIT’s team, we expect Starlight to attract a significant number of international visitors and contribute tens of millions of dollars to Egypt’s tourism economy, while establishing a long-term platform for cultural exchange between Europe and the Middle East.”
Venture Lifestyle (VLS) is an Emirati-Lebanese entertainment and hospitality company based in Egypt, recognised for producing large-scale cultural, nightlife and live entertainment experiences across the Middle East and beyond. Through its electronic music platform P+US, the company has delivered globally recognised projects, including Anyma’s Quantum Genesys at the Great Pyramids of Giza, positioning itself among the region’s leading innovators in experiential entertainment. Tickets are available through the official Starlight Festival website.
Cementing its status as one of the UK’s must-visit festivals for families, Wychwood Festival celebrated an unforgettable weekend between 28th-31st May, marking its 20th edition with a feel-good atmosphere that’s set to stand as the festival’s finest moment.
Not resting on its laurels, Wychwood Festival has also dropped some huge news for 2027 today. The Human League are confirmed as next summer’s Saturday night headliner! Those at the festival this weekend witnessed a sensational teaser on Saturday afternoon, as a plane flew over the festival grounds towing a banner which read “Don’t You Want Me Baby! See You In 2027?”.
Under scorching sunny skies and the picturesque Prestbury Hills, Wychwood proved beyond a doubt why so many are crowning the festival as one of the best in the country – fresh off the back of winning Family Festival of the Year at the UK Festival Awards 2025. Bringing together a curated lineup of music, comedy, workshops, laugh-out-loud fun and more, from start to finish Wychwood delivered what festival-goers demand from an immersive boutique music & arts festival at unbeatable value. Creating memories at every turn, the 2026 summer season kicked off at Cheltenham Racecourse with a record 12,000 festival-goers across the weekend, coming together for the famously friendly and welcoming event.
Boasting its strongest musical lineup of all time, the Wychwood masses were treated to powerhouse headline sets from indie titans Kaiser Chiefs on Saturday 30th May, discoball party-starter Sophie Ellis-Bextor on Friday, and the seminal favourites Levellers on Sunday evening.
Elsewhere across the weekend the likes of Everything Everything, Feeder, Maxïmo Park, Boney M, The Pigeon Detectives, Chesney Hawkes, Newton Faulkner, The Twang and The Wedding Present provided the soundtrack for fans young and old.
Wychwood’s hand-picked selection shone a spotlight on a crop of vital new voices, with Adult DVD, Elles Bailey, Bloodworm and Pale Blue Eyes delivering exciting sets as ones to keep an eye on this year.
What makes Wychwood so unique is its ability to balance these phenomenal performances with pure summertime silliness – encapsulated by a crowning main stage performance from Barrioke which saw a jam-packed field revel in singalong bangers and on-stage moments alike. Alex Horne made his Wychwood Festival debut bringing the Horne Section for a hilarious journey with tales and synchronised dance moves mirrored by the smiling crowds. From Shrek-themed hilarity with The Ogretones, the wide-eyed throwbacks of James B Patridge’s Primary School Bangers, to the unadulterated joy of K-Pop Demon Hunters vs Swifty Disco, the crowds are every bit a part of the show at Wychwood.
The winning combination of afternoon Comedy on the Garden Stage and late night Comedy at Howlin’ Pete’s, provided something for everyone, at any given hour. This year’s impressive line-up boasted the likes of Henning Wehn, Louise Leigh, Andrew White, Javier Jarquin, and Kate Martin who all went down a storm. This year’s Village Green was bursting with an unbeatable array of engaging workshops, activities and all-ages antics throughout the day, making Wychwood the UK’s ultimate festival for families. Everything from Barbara’s StoryBox and the Cheltenham Poetry Festival Workshops, to Silly Science, Darning, Hoola Hooping, Junk Drumming, Sea Shanties and the Sunday Parade.
Speaking about Wychwood Festival 2026, Managing Director Graeme Merifield said: “Seeing the 20th edition of Wychwood Festival take place this weekend feels surreal. When we started this in 2005, I never imagined it would endure and evolve into the festival it is today. It’s so heartwarming seeing so many people that have been here from the start, so many loyal festival-goers and families who have grown up alongside the festival, and all those working behind the scenes – and it’s this that makes me believe we’ll still be here in another 20 years to come. I want to thank all our performers, from the unbelievable headliners Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Kaiser Chiefs and long-time Wychwood favourites Levellers, who shared the stage with an array of timeless artists, comics, entertainers, and so many talented up and coming local artists too. We’re all so thrilled to share our first big headline act for 2027 already, which added even more excitement to an already action-packed weekend! Looking forward to making more sunny memories here at Cheltenham Racecourse again, as we’ll be together in electric dreams with The Human League next summer!”
Wychwood Festival’s 20th anniversary was one for the books, one for the community, and one for a future that’s full of promise. A weekend equally steeped in feel-good reflection and excited anticipation for what’s in store, the sun sets on yet another magical moment, cementing Wychwood’s place as one of the UK’s most cherished independent family festivals. Leaving memories to treasure and plenty to look forward to in the years ahead, the countdown to 2027 is now firmly underway.
Wychwood Festival returns 4th – 6th June 2027 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire. Limited Early Bird Tickets Sold Out in record time, Tier 1 Weekend Camping Tickets available now from £129.50+BF via: Wychwoodfestival.com
BEONIX Festival has completed the lineup for its 2026 edition when it returns to the historic ETKO site complex in Limassol, Cyprus from September 25 – 27, with its strongest programme ever.
Blending internationally established electronic artists with rising underground names, the lineup reflects the festival’s broad musical identity across techno, melodic house, live electronic performance and peak-time club sounds. Among the headliners are Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, Grammy-nominated duo CamelPhat, melodic powerhouse Argy, globally renowned house act Bedouin and Italian electronic pioneer Benny Benassi.
Live performances remain central to the festival’s unique offering with Jan Blomqvist and Monolink both bringing their acclaimed live shows to Cyprus, while Röyksopp will appear with a rare DJ set. Elsewhere, MRAK continues his cinematic solo project following the global success of Tale Of Us, PAN-POT return with their driving techno sound, and Patrick Mason brings his high-intensity blend of performance and club energy to the festival for the first time.
The wider programme balances established names with emerging talent from across the global electronic scene. Artists including Franky Wah, Raxon, Spartaque, Wade, OXIA and Grossomoddo expand the house and techno offering, while hybrid and live performances from AWEN, Claxy and others continue BEONIX’s focus on immersive and multi-dimensional electronic music experiences.
Set within the industrial surroundings of the former ETKO site, BEONIX pairs large-scale audiovisual production with carefully curated lineups and contemporary art installations. Its multi-stage format allows audiences to move between high-energy mainstage moments, deeper underground sounds and live electronic performances across the three-day programme.
With this superb international artist reveal, BEONIX once again underlines its position as one of the Mediterranean region’s leading electronic gatherings.
BLOODSTOCKers, first a quick band update! Purely due to some unavoidable logistical issues, there’s been a little switch around on Saturday’s line-up. Everyone announced is still playing, but now OF MICE & MEN and DEATH ANGEL will perform on the Sophie Lancaster stage whilst NEVERMORE and URNE have moved to the Ronnie James Dio main stage. See the newly updated line-up poster at the bottom below for positioning.
Lots more news to share about BLOODSTOCK 2026! Wondering what there is to do at BLOODSTOCK besides watch bands and visit the signing tent? There’s always something fun going on in the Battle Arena and this year is no exception!
Get ready for the ultimate showdown of fluff and fun! BLOODSTOCK presents PILLOW FIGHT CLUB – a hilarious, action-packed, pillow fighting competition inspired by the legendary ‘Fight Club’ (but with way more feathers and far fewer bruises). Compere extraordinaire will be none other than Sam Strachan from Raised By Owls, ably assisted by a referee – his band mate Lee Deane – whose decisions are final!
At 4:30pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, head to the Battle Arena for a series of epic pillow battles. Each day, contestants will face off in a tournament-style event, battling through heats, semi-finals, and a grand final to crown the day’s Pillow Fight Club Champion!
The first rule of PILLOW FIGHT CLUB is: you do not talk about PILLOW FIGHT CLUB.
Other rules include: One-Handed Only: Swing your pillow with one hand – no two-handed attacks!Stay in the Ring: Step outside the circle and you forfeit.Knockdown: If you’re floored, you have 5 seconds to get up.No Rough Stuff: No pushing, grabbing, or hitting with anything but the pillow.Sportsmanship: No unsportsmanlike conduct.Showmanship Counts: Creative stage names, costumes, and crowd engagement can help you win!Referee Decisions: The referee’s whistle signals warnings, stops, and the end of matches. Safety FirstRemove glasses, jewelry, and piercings before fighting.Don’t participate if you’re heavily pregnant, recently injured, very drunk, or have relevant health conditions.All participants must sign a waiver before competing.
Bring your best moves, wildest costumes, and get ready for a pillow fight like no other. Sign up at the arena – may the best pillow warrior win!
Get ready for the HELLBENT HOEDOWN! Heavy metal meets line dancing at 2:30pm Fri, Sat, and Sun – led by Steel City Line Dancers and built for everyone! Whether you’re a battle-jacket veteran, a two-left-feet newcomer, or just there to “see what happens after the third beer”, come two-step to Trivium. Full instructions will be given to join in with the boot-stompin’ chaos! Think circle pit energy… but with cowboy boots on (or dino costumes, no judgement)!
No experience needed. No shame allowed. Just show up, throw shapes, and try not to spill your pint. Unleash your inner outlaw and throw down at the hellbent hoedown!
Ever been curious to LEARN TO SCREAM like a professional singer? Or perhaps you’d like some tips to improve? On Saturday at 12pm in the Battle Arena, you can join SHAY HOCHBERG – a metal vocalist, performer, and vocal coach specialising in safe, extreme vocal techniques including screams, growls, distortion, and fry vocals!
During this interactive workshop, participants will explore how extreme vocals actually work through guided demonstrations, vocal warm-ups, group exercises, and hands-on practice. The session is open to all levels – from complete beginners with no experience to experienced vocalists – with a strong focus on vocal health, expression, confidence, and body awareness. Just bring your willingness to make some noise!
Get your blood pumpin’ every morning Fri – Sun at 10:30am for 45 mins by joining the free ROCKFIT class! RockFit is an alternative, high-energy fitness class designed specifically for metal fans, combining rock/metal music with dance, cardio, and strengthening exercises. An all-abilities workout to shake off the night before and prepare for the festival day.
And if you just need some space to take a little time out, every night from 6pm – 3am, Fri – Sun, the Battle Arena becomes a CHILL ZONE.
THE 100 RETURNS – AND IT COULD BE YOU!BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce the return of The 100 for 2026, the exciting initiative that gives 50 winners and their chosen +1’s a truly unforgettable festival experience!
Drawn completely at random from the 2026 weekend ticket purchasers, The 100 offers fans the chance to experience the festival like never before, with exclusive access, rare merch, and more!
Those selected for The 100 can look forward to: An exclusive backstage tour and meet & greet with one of the Festival Directors An official ‘The 100’ goody bag with exclusive merchandise and limited-edition rarities An exclusive lanyard and laminate Access to a private undercover chill-out area inside the arena Additional surprises throughout the weekend
If you’ve purchased a full weekend ticket for BOA2026 (standard or VIP), then you’re automatically entered into the draw! Keep an eye on your inboxes over the coming days because this is one email you will not want to miss!
Please note, The 100 experience is strictly non-transferable. If selected participants decline, transfer, or sell their ticket. then they will no longer qualify and the same random selection process will take place to determine a new winner. Winners and their chosen +1 must both be over 18 and hold valid full weekend tickets.
As we mentioned last month, on Sunday there’s a special treat in the RAM Gallery, as festival founder and renowned artist Paul Gregory will be exhibiting his original, oil on canvas, Lord Of The Rings-inspired painting ‘Morannon’ (shown above)! An impressive 1.8m x 3m in size, it was last exhibited over 20 years ago at the indoor BLOODSTOCK. But that’s not all you can see in the RAM Gallery this year! Don’t miss your chance to check out….
A wealth of special and rare JUDAS PRIEST items on a dedicated JUDAS PRIEST wall, including one of Rob Halford’s infamous stage jackets and a custom themed guitar made by Paul Cutting and commissioned by Paul Gregory, plus artwork by artist Mark Wilkinson (Instagram: @masquestudio).
BLOODSTOCK is also keen to support new artists, so do stop by and check out up and coming artist Emperical Mallum, discovered by festival director Vicky Hungerford on TikTok! Learn more at: www.empiricalmalum.com / Instagram: @malum.artist
There will also be a stunning Ozzy Osbourne inspired custom guitar made by Paul Cutting (no sneaky photos, you’ll have to wait and admire it in the RAM Gallery), a throwback section to BLOODSTOCK’s indoor days, featuring classic photos and memorabilia, the return of the iconic Lemmy Kilmister bust, an area focused on Heavy Metal Truants history marking their first charity cycle to BLOODSTOCK this year, and a custom Alex The Terrible painting by Danny Edwards (Instagram: @danslayer666tattoo).
And there’s still more to be revealed or discover on the day!
Got your ticket and making plans already? BLOODSTOCK’s dedicated one-stop-shop with PREO is now up and running, featuring an array of festival goodies from nice-to-have to downright essential! From beers, ciders, and wine to merch, airbeds, duvets/pillows, and more, you can secure your items in advance from one online shop. There’s also a limited edition sun hat from Fat Franks for just £5, with all proceeds going to the Samaritans. No lugging it from your car, just collect on your arrival at BLOODSTOCK! For more info and to explore the online shop, visit the Bloodstock Festival Preo store.
LOCKERS!!The BLOODSTOCK LOCKER setup is bigger and better this year! There are now multiple locker locations across the site, with most offering 24-hour access. They also have built-in USB-C + USB-A charging ports so your phone never dies in the pit (just remember to bring your own charging cable)!
Lockers will be located in: Main Arena – accessible during arena opening hours onlyMidgard campsite – 24 hoursIronwood campsite – 24 hoursValhalla campsite – 24 hoursVIP campsite – 24 hours
Lockers are limited – book early here to avoid disappointment!
In today’s world, being greener remains an important goal for BLOODSTOCK.
In 2022, BLOODSTOCK invited AGF (A Greener Future) to attend the festival in order to earn their Greener Festival Certification and today remain committed as ever, working to those standards and more. You can learn more about the festival’s initiatives here but read on for some key plans this year:
SAY NO TO SINGLE USE TENTS – Tangerine Fields have once again teamed up with BLOODSTOCK to make your festival weekend even easier whilst also doing your bit for the environment.
Don’t like towing your tent home at the end of the festival and get tempted to abandon it? Two better options! Firstly, with a little planning, you can just turn up to find a pre-pitched tent ready and waiting for you in the Asgard campsite. At the end of the festival, no need to worry about packing your tent away and lugging it home as the Tangerine team will take care of it. Say No To Single Use Tents ensuring nothing goes to landfill. No hassle, no stress, No waste! Click here for more details and to place an order.
TENT DONATION – Secondly, if you do come with your own tent, or collect a pre-bought one on site, and would otherwise ditch it, there are a number of donation points in the campsites for when you are leaving! And it’s not just tents they’ll take! You can win a pair of tix to next year’s festival just for handing in unwanted tents, sleeping bags, chairs, mats, or airbeds, and tagging yourself under the poster on display by the tent donation point in your campsite. Tents and other items are then put to good use or sold off for charity. Look out for signs on site like the image above for where to donate!
FREE WATER – Bring a non-glass, refillable water bottle and utilise the free water points on site to help reduce plastic waste and save some pennies in your wallet at the same time.
RECYCLE – There are also plenty of recycling bins are located across the arena – please use them and keep BLOODSTOCK tidy! But when it comes to your cups from the bar…
CUP REDEMPTION SCHEME – Back by popular demand, collect cups and win prizes! This year, the prize pool has been increased to include Spin The Wheel as the highest reward, giving you the chance to win 2 standard weekend tickets to next year’s BLOODSTOCK worth £470, a signed guitar, a merch bundle, Winter Gathering tickets, or a booby prize! Do you dare? You might also win nothing but respect!
Turn in your cups at Lemmy’s Bar to claim drinks, food, merch, VIP Serpent’s Lair access for two, or to spin the wheel! T’s & C’s apply.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL – Planning your route to BLOODSTOCK yet? For the closest drop-off on site and also eco points, why not come via a carbon-neutral BIG GREEN COACH? There are pick-up points all across the U.K.! And for the first time ever, you can now book your official coach travel to arrive on Wednesday as well as Thursday, helping you to take advantage of the add-on Wednesday Early Bird ticket option for an extra night of metal shenanigans! For those coming by train into Tamworth station, BLOODSTOCK can also confirm that the shuttle bus to site will also run on Wednesday! Get full info & book your seat with Big Green Coachhere.
You can also travel by car using LIFTSHARE! Liftshare connect metal loving drivers and passengers going in the same direction. By sharing a spare seat or two, this reduces the number of cars on the road travelling to the festival and subsequently reduces carbon emissions as well as traffic jams. Explore more here.
BLOODSTOCK’s 25th anniversary is going to be truly unforgettable. BLOODSTOCK 2026 is delighted to present RJD headliners LAMB OF GOD, SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL, JUDAS PRIEST, and SAXON.
Sophie Lancaster stage headliners will be CRYPTOPSY (None So Vile 30-year anniversary set), WEDNESDAY 13, LEPROUS, and CARPENTER BRUT.
You’ll also be able to see BODY COUNT, SEPULTURA, MUNICIPAL WASTE, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT, NORTHLANE, BLEED FROM WITHIN, VENDED, ORBIT CULTURE, THE SCRATCH, IMPERIAL AGE, LIFE OF AGONY, OF MICE & MEN, BIOHAZARD, 200 STAB WOUNDS, THE HELL, BLACK SPIDERS, SHINING, NEVERMORE, EVIL SCARECROW, HEAVYSAURUS, SKYND, PARTY CANNON, BATTLESNAKE, INHUMAN NATURE, KITTIE, CASTLE RAT, GRAPHIC NATURE, BOOTYARD BANDITS, EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS, HIDDEN INTENT, SELLSWORD, NECKBREAKKER, SEETHING AKIRA, HAMMER, STAMPIN GROUND, URNE, CELESTIAL SANCTUARY, THROWN INTO EXILE, VIKING SKULL, BOUND IN FEAR, IMPERIUM, FROGLORD, MUSHROOMHEAD, DREAM STATE, TRIVAX, MANTIS DEFEATS JAGUAR, BLOOD COUNTESS, GURT, OUTERGODS, FLAYED DISCIPLE, NOISEPICKER, ACID THRONE, ALUNAH, VOID BELOW, TEMPLES ON MARS, CONCRETE AGE, THRASHERWOLF, IMPERIAL DEMONIC, CHAINED SAINT, IMBRIUM, OVERPOWER, UNTAMED SILENCE, CHANGE PERSONA, AFTER SMOKE CLEARS, SOULRIDE, VANITAS, GOAT MAJOR, CANCEL THE TRANSMISSION, TEMPEST SAINT, TROLLMOTHER, DOSED, STITCHED, WREX, FOLLOWING THE SIGNS, THE CARTOON CARTEL, and AETHORIA.
And there’s still more bands to be announced.
All weekend tickets (including Kyrr) are now sold out, but you can still snap up day tickets for £99 (+fees) to be part of the fun! Not been to the festival before? A day ticket is a perfect taster to see what you think! Child tickets are also available and under 4’s attend for free. Head over to the ticket store to see all options and if you’re coming by car, pre-book to save on car parking! For the most up to date festival information, visit the official website atbloodstock.uk.com.
BLOODSTOCK 2026 will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 6th – 9th August, 2026.
The Sunday ceilidh (hosted by trad troupe Awry) was a scorcher.
Knockengorroch 2026 heralded the end of an era, dedicated as it was to co-organiser Simon Holmes, who sadly died in December last year. Known fondly as ‘Papa Knock’ by regular festival goers, Simon along with his wife Liz held the first Knockengorroch in 1998. It remains Scotland’s longest running greenfield festival, and comes with a fierce fanbase who valiantly helped fundraise this year’s event during a troubled time for all small independent festivals.
Simon championed the idea that the land is a common treasury for all, and this community spirit resonates throughout the festival. Friday sees the politically charged folk of 3 Daft Monkeys on the main stage nicely set up headliners TC and the Groove Family, cementing Knock as the place where different genres and cultures come together in one delicious melting pot.
3 Daft Monkeys perform while house martins nesting in the rafters come out for feeding time.
In the Langwhan (a lovingly restored Celtic longhouse), Edinburgh indie-pop outfit The Micro Band played a stirring acoustic set to a family-friendly crowd literally filled to its beautiful wooden rafters; undoubtedly one of the highlights of the weekend.
The late-night entertainment at Knock on a Friday will always keep you dancing (and running between acts). Glasgow-based DJ legend Optimo and Edinburgh-club favourites Samedia Shebeen in the Giddy Up tent faced off until 5am against the Celtic dance solo project Harpmonix and the rap-trombone combo of Kadesh Flow at the Fraoch bar stage.
Saturday involved an early start for anyone unable to withstand the pulsating sun during one of the hottest May weeks in 80 years. Luckily, cleansing oneself in the free sauna ‘Betty Swollox’ (entirely donations-run) followed by a refreshing dip in the river is an option at Knock. Stumbling across Yiddish folk punk act Och Vey was a pleasant surprise, as they brought energetic klezmer to the fore. Meanwhile, Knock’s first ever dog show was a tail-wagging success (as expected at one of Scotland’s most dog-friendly festivals), as categories from small and sassy to best outfit were trotted out at hippy Crufts.
Over at the main stage, Elias Alexander, the Instagram/TikTok star of trad-dance tune ‘Fiddle Disco’, mosh-jigged into the crowd with electric bagpipes. While he acknowledged he may be missing the oomph of a full folk ensemble (“Let’s give it up for the hardest working member of my band, the mini keyboard!” he shouts at one point), such solo work is becoming more common when touring remains unaffordable for many musicians.
Though you could not mistake 7-member Saturday headliner BCUC for anything other than a full-on musical reverberation through all the senses. Their spectacularly showy africangungungu rhythms saw the crowd never wanting ‘Yinde’ to end, as the encore continued to ramp up in intensity. A slightly more mellow John Langan followed in the Langwhan, playing The Langan Band originals such as ‘Auld Jimmy’, until late-night silliness arrived with a jokingly extended version of traditional Irish folk song, ‘the Rattlin’ Bog’. The pleasant folk jam session that followed (running every night until 4am) provided a welcome respite for footsore revellers.
John Langan plays the Langhoose to a packed out crowd.
There’s a long-running joke among some Knock regulars that taking part in the 2pm Sunday ceilidh (hosted by Awry) signals you were not having enough fun the two nights before. This was certainly disproven by all lovers of traditional dance as even the scorching sun could not prevent ‘the spiral’ taking place; a 15 to 20 minute dance where everyone followed the lead singer in a spirally, palm-grasping figure of eight around not just the main stage, but a large chunk of the festival site.
Swimming in the river was a popular occupation after such a sweaty event, while the perfect Sunday evening energiser was the big band hip hop stylings of Makongo. With 7 nationalities represented on stage, from Scotland to Angola, chants of “power to the people” reminded everyone of Knock’s ethics, as did the tributes to Simon across the weekend.
Simon’s fire show eulogy, and a service around a newly collected standing stone from the nearby Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, touched upon his belief that the uplands should be repopulated, as well as the many human rights causes he has championed over the years. With some of Glasgow’s finest closing out the Sunday, including trad dub pioneers An Dannsa Dub and reggae dancehall icons Mungo’s Hi Fi, the sense of Knock being a very special Scottish and world music festival hung heavy in the air. Long may it continue.
Following the news Sophie Ellis-Bextor had stepped up from her evening slot to headline Friday on the Sam Shrouder Main Stage, festival organisers have revealed her replacement…
*Drum Roll Please*
The legendary Barrioke has been promoted from the Howlin’ Pete’s tent, bringing the ultimate karaoke party to the main stage as part of his farewell tour.
The festival announced the decision in a social media post this afternoon (Wednesday 27 May), just a day before the festival kicks off.
“Barrioke is officially moving up to the Sam Shrouder Main Stage this Friday!
“With Sophie Ellis-Bextor stepping up for a sequin-studded headline performance we’re also bringing you the ultimate warm-up act.
“As part of Shaun’s farewell tour, we felt it’s only right that he gets the massive Main Stage moment he deserves, one last time.”
Addressing the Wychwood fanbase, the organisers continued:
“We thank you for your patience whilst we make this shuffle at such short notice. Updated stage times will be with you soon.
“Now, warm up those vocal cords and get your dancing shoes ready…Oh and don’t forget the suncream.”
Since Craig David announced he was walking away, social media had been awash with calls for the ever-popular Barrioke to be moved to the main stage.
The brainchild of Shaun Williamson (aka Barry from EastEnders), Barrioke has been a festival highlight in recent years with the tent regularly overflowing with punters looking to join in the non-stop good time vibes.
The premise is simple, but effective. It’s karaoke with Barry from EastEnders. Williamson welcomes fans up on stage to sing a song of their choosing, joins them in duets and hypes up the crowd to give them the adulation the moment so deserves.
Usually rocking a spangly gameshow host style blazer, Williamson is a natural entertainer and is fully in his element MCing, singing and doing stand up all at the same time. He announced that 2026 would be farewell tour for the Barrioke juggernaut – so it’s bound to be a big one!
To those naysayers who say Barrioke isn’t a main stage act, the fervour he creates would say otherwise – and the organisers of Wychwood have clearly decided “They’re gonna do it anywayyyyy…”.
Ministry of Sound continues its 35th Anniversary World Tour this June with two Thailand shows featuring Darius Syrossian, Riva Starr and Jesse P. The tour arrives at Illuzion Phuket on June 26th before heading to SEEN Beach Club Koh Samui on June 27th for a second event in an open-air beachfront setting.
Headlining is Moxy Muzik founder Darius Syrossian, known for his groove-led approach to house and techno, alongside Italian house mainstay and Snatch! Records boss Riva Starr. Jesse P completes the lineup.
Ranked No. 9 in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs poll, Illuzion Phuket has become one of Asia’s most prominent large-scale nightlife destinations. The 5,000-capacity venue sits at the centre of Patong’s Bangla Road nightlife district and is known for its multi-room layout, high-spec Funktion-One and L-Acoustics sound systems, and international programming featuring some of electronic music’s biggest names.
The second show takes place at CLUB SEEN Koh Samui, a retro-inspired beachfront venue on Chaweng Beach that has built a reputation for its day-to-night format, combining poolside sessions, sunset programming and international guest DJs on the island shoreline.
The Thailand dates follow Ministry of Sound’s recently announced Bali residency at The Stage in Seminyak, which will host the same trio on June 25th, continuing the brand’s expanding run of Asia-Pacific events as part of its year-long global anniversary tour.
“Asia has always been one of the most exciting regions in the world for electronic music culture, and this run represents a huge moment for Ministry of Sound. From The Stage in Bali to Illuzion, Phuket to Club SEEN in Koh Samui, we’re bringing the energy, heritage and global spirit of the brand into some of the most iconic nightlife destinations in the region.” – Jared McCulloch, Head of Live Events
With just two days to go until the 20th edition of Wychwood Festival, organisers have announced Friday night headliner Craig David Presents TS5 is no longer able to perform.
The last-minute withdrawal sees the UK garage and R&B icon Walking Away from the festival – one can only assume due to how busy he is on Thursday and Friday and Saturday…
Posting online, Wychwood said:
“We are disappointed to announce that Craig David Presents TS5 is unfortunately unable to join us at Wychwood Festival this year due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. We sincerely hope to welcome Craig to Wychwood in the future.
“Our team has been working flat out behind the scenes to make sure Friday night remains every bit as special as planned and we are thrilled to announce that the phenomenal Sophie Ellis-Bextor is now stepping up to headline Friday night.
“Sophie was already set to bring the disco to the main stage, and now she will officially close the night with a sequin studded headline performance. We’re deeply grateful to Sophie and her team for rearranging plans at such short notice to make this happen.“
Despite the disappointment many will feel at losing an iconic headliner in Craig David, there have been more than a few comments describing his booking as “Not very Wychwoody” so not everyone will be upset with the change.
So the baton passes to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Queen of the Kitchen Disco, riding to the rescue upon a Disco-ball of pop brilliance (you’d imagine) to bring her sequin-studded disco to light up the night.
With a remarkable music career spanning over 25 years, Sophie has achieved five Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 singles. Her iconic hits include “Take Me Home,” “Get Over You,” “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer),” and “Murder on the Dancefloor”—which enjoyed a massive resurgence after featuring in the film Saltburn, now boasting over 11 billion global streams.
So could the Friday rejig open the doors to an exciting last-minute addition? With an already stacked lineup featuring the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Levellers, Everything Everything, Maximo Park, Feeder, Boney M, Newton Faulkner, Chesney Hawkes and many more, Wychwood organisers’ little black book is clearly full to the brim with contacts – so watch this space!
One thing for sure is whoever steps into the fray it’s already a belter of a weekend in store for attendees.
The 20th edition of Wychwood Festival takes place 29th – 31st May 2026, Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire. Remaining tickets are available via Wychwoodfestival.com
American Express presents BST Hyde Park is excited to announce that acclaimed South Korean group ATEEZ will make their Hyde Park headline debut on Sunday 28 June. One of the world’s most iconic groups taking to one of the world’s most iconic stages, the eight-member act – HONGJOONG, SEONGHWA, YUNHO, YEOSANG, SAN, MINGI, WOOYOUNG and JONGHO – has taken the world by storm since their debut in 2018.
Full line-up to be announced. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 29 May, visit www.bst-hydepark.com
Hailing from KQ Entertainment, ATEEZ quickly distinguished themselves as one of K-pop’s leading acts, selling out a global tour just four months into their career. Their artistic identity is defined by interconnected storytelling, unfolding across their ‘TREASURE,’ ‘FEVER,’ ‘THE WORLD’ and ‘GOLDEN HOUR’ album series.
They reached million‑seller status with their eighth EP in 2022, marking an important milestone in their rise. Their impact extends strongly into the UK as well, with the group becoming the first South Korean musical act to have three different releases chart in the Top 10 Official Albums Chart within a single year in 2024. Their momentum accelerated further that year, when they dominated major festivals worldwide, including Coachella in the US, Summer Sonic in Japan and a headline set at Mawazine in Morocco.
Their achievements continued last year, with a ‘K-pop Artist of the Year’ win at the iHeartRadio Music Awards and a nomination for ‘Favourite K-Pop Artist’ at the American Music Awards. This was followed by their celebrated ‘TOWARDS THE LIGHT: WILL TO POWER’ tour, which brought 14 shows across nine European countries.
ATEEZ has continued to solidify their global success, earning Top 3 placements on the Billboard 200 with six consecutive releases and placing a total of eight albums in the chart’s Top 10. The group also achieved back-to-back entries on the Billboard Hot 100, further underscoring the consistency and scale of their worldwide impact. Most recently, ATEEZ successfully wrapped up their latest world tour, ‘IN YOUR FANTASY,’ with stops across the United States, Asia, Japan, and Korea.
Early 2026 saw the release of ‘GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4,’ ATEEZ’s 13th EP, which added yet another wave of achievements to the group’s growing global momentum. Featuring five tracks led by the high-energy single ‘Adrenaline,’ the release earned major chart success across Korea and internationally.
ATEEZ now take another major step in their global journey. Their Hyde Park headline show will be a reminder of why they stand among the most influential groups of their generation. It also marks a significant moment for Hyde Park itself as a UK exclusive event for 2026.
BST Hyde Park has built a strong legacy of placing K-pop artists at the forefront of major festival stages. In 2023, BLACKPINK made UK festival history by becoming the first K-pop group to headline a major UK music festival at BST Hyde Park. The following year, Stray Kids became the first male K-pop group to headline the festival. ATEEZ now join this landmark lineage.
Headliners for BST Hyde Park 2026 also include: Garth Brooks (Saturday 27 June), Maroon 5 (Friday 3 July), Mumford & Sons (Saturday 4 July), Duran Duran (Sunday 5 July), Pitbull (Friday 10 July) and Lewis Capaldi (Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12 July).
