Wireless is predominantly a festival celebrating rap and hiphop music, taking place in London’s Hyde Park. Following supposed leaks and rampant speculation, rumours at the start of the month that Ye would be booked for Wireless were confirmed yesterday by the organisers. Following last year’s format that saw Drake perform at the end of every night, the festival’s only confirmed act so far is Ye across the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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West’s last headline show at Wireless was in 2014 following Drake’s withdrawal from the bill, but it received negative press for being a poor choice of replacement and for West’s mid-set rant about his treatment by the media. This was followed by a Glastonbury headliner in 2015, currently his last festival show on British soil, that saw a 130,000 strong petition attempt to remove him from the bill due to his egotistical preaching.

Ye’s hate campaign against Jewish people began in 2022, when he first started sharing offensive opinions and antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media. He was suspended by both Instagram and Twitter (now X), as well as losing significant business partnerships with companies like Adidas. More recently, he openly referred to himself as “a Nazi”, in addition to penning the single ‘Heil Hitler’ in 2025 and attempting to release 2026 album ‘Bully’ with a swastika as its artwork. This January, West made an attempt to apologise by purchasing a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, in which he blamed his bipolar disorder, and reiterated that he loved Jewish people, though this did nothing to dissuade public opinion.

Since the Wireless Festival announcement yesterday, several Jewish rights bodies and activist groups have come out in force against both the festival and West. The Guardian published a statement from the Jewish Leadership Council, a charity protecting Jewish interests in the UK, which reads “It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless festival to be headlining Kanye West. The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green and foiled plots which would have killed many more. West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging. His most recent apology must be considered in the context that he went on to sell swastika T-shirts and release a song called Heil Hitler after apologising previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”

Kanye West is set to headline all three nights of Wireless festival this year, here in the UK.

It would mark his return to the UK music scene after an eleven-year hiatus, since headlining at Glastonbury in 2015. Since then, he has dedicated years of his life to trying to incite… pic.twitter.com/4bHOQGkMgP
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) March 31, 2026

Charity organisation Campaign Against Antisemitism also issued the above message on social media site X, saying “It is disappointing that venues have been so quick to invite someone who was so recently peddling conspiracy theories, Hitler worship and bigoted lies – including now one of the UK’s biggest festival stages. His cycle of apology and relapse has become a routine, and we must wait to see if this time is any different. What is notable is that the latest apology came on the eve of the release of a new album.”

Indeed, despite multiple setbacks, West released ‘Bully’ on the 28th of March, which appears to have shed his hateful messages in favour of concentrating on the music. Wireless have claimed Ye’s “UK comeback will be an extraordinary chapter in Wireless’s story”, which will be told in London’s Finsbury Park from Friday the 10th to Sunday the 12th of July

Part of Download Festival’s identity is its commitment to alternative culture in its many shapes and forms. While the focus is on heavier music, the promoters do not shy away from booking acts that stand out – a precedent they now wish to push even further. Last year the site in Castle Donington welcomed ‘90s pop party-starters Vengaboys to District X, a decision widely celebrated by fans, and so far 2026’s poster shows a main stage set for US rap act Cypress Hill, as well as a weekend-closing third stage set from German dance act Scooter.

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District X is the festival’s entertainment complex – situated on the long walk to the arena where the majority of the live music is played, it’s home to shops, stalls, and two stages. The Side Splitter tent is used primarily for stand-up comedy and variety performances, while the Doghouse tent is occupied by the niche musical shows – acoustic sets by big artists, the cheesy pop excursions, and the late night silent disco after-parties.

The announcement today brought with it a full lineup of the weird and wonderful for June. First and foremost is the big pop act for the year in Five. Emerging at the peak of the ‘90s craze for British boy and girl groups, the band are still looked upon fondly in the present day for their timeless hits like ‘Keep On Movin’’ and ‘Everybody Get Up’. US rock group Electric Six broke into the mainstream in the early 2000’s with controversially raunchy tracks ‘Gay Bar’ and ‘Danger! High Voltage’, and they’ve earned a top spot on the bill.

The full announcement for District X’s entertainment at this year’s Download Festival

The high-end of the lineup also includes an acoustic show by pop-punk group The All-American Rejects, who headline the Avalanche Stage on the Saturday, and Bat Sabbath, the Black Sabbath tribute show performed by Canadian hardcore heroes Cancer Bats. Just below them we find the most-unusual inclusion, Dick & Dom. Once known for their absurd BBC children’s TV show ‘Dick & Dom in da Bungalow’, the double act of Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood are listed as performing a DJ set in District X.

Elsewhere there are further DJ sets from Holding Absence and Funeral For A Friend’s Lucas Woodland, goth rock’s Creeper, and dubstep act Modestep. More alternative entertainment comes in the form of adult Bingo parties, stand-up shows presented by The Comedy Store, and live podcast recording sessions. Keep your eyes peeled for secret sets, which will be revealed far closer to the time!

Download Festival comes to Donington Park from the 10th to the 14th of June, with a star-studded lineup headed by Limp Bizkit on the Friday, Guns ‘N’ Roses on the Saturday, and Linkin Park for Sunday. Camping options are fully sold out, but day ticket options are available here.

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Since the majority of Devon’s dedicated music venues closed in the last 15 years, only the medium-sized Plymouth Arena remains alongside a few independent bars catering to the city’s entire music scene. In February one such venue, electronic and rave music hotspot The Depo, won BBC Radio 1 Dance’s Grassroots Venue of the Year, marking an important stage in the South West’s industry’s recovery.

Plymouth City Council have worked hard with booking agents and promoters to take advantage of the Devon coast’s mild climate and natural beauty to introduce several new entertainment ventures. Football ground Home Park has welcomed shows from the likes of Muse, Kaiser Chiefs and Elton John, while the scenic seaside patch at the Hoe has hosted multiple day-festivals over the years, with its 2025 Summer Sessions headlined by Snow Patrol, The Corrs and Pendulum.

The Summer Sessions have been cancelled for 2026 due to promoters Cuffe and Taylor scaling back their operations, but the vacuum created by its absence has opened up a new opportunity. Discovery Festival was founded with its first event last July in Dundee’s Slessor Gardens with appearances from The Human League and Tom Jones, but it has now expanded to Plymouth and Darlington. Holding three nights of live music in each city, they’ve gradually dripped out the lineup for each evening, and it’s a stroll down memory lane for many of us.

The full lineup for this year’s Discovery Festival Plymouth

The Friday is a trip of ‘90s boy-band royalty, with Five and Blue joined by The Wanted, sure to satisfy anyone with a fondness for cheesy pop music. Saturday night boasts an eclectic mix of acts with electronic pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvrers in the Dark playing after jazz-funk-pop tinkerers Level 42, ‘Kids In America’ singer Kim Wilde and more.

The bill for the Sunday was announced this Monday, capping the weekend off in style with a roster of rock and indie, old and new. Opening with recent breakthroughs Swim School, SOFY and Kid Kapichi, the afternoon moves back in time to 2000’s indie rock with Maxïmo Park. Co-headlining the day are Welsh rock legends Feeder, whose hit ‘Buck Rogers’ and its line “get a house in Devon” is fondly and loudly sung in bars across the county. The night is closed out by Pete Doherty and his group The Libertines, with a set of their indie rock anthems.

This blockbuster weekend of music comes to Plymouth’s Central Park from Friday 12th to Sunday the 14th of June. You can find tickets for the first-ever Discovery Plymouth dates, as well as the festival’s sister events in Dundee and Darlington here. Official tourist board website Visit Plymouth have also provided a map to the site in Central Park, as well as information on other entertainment around the city.

BBC Radio 1 have organised the touring festival since 2003, visiting a different city each year to put on a weekend of live music and other entertainment. Now a three-day affair, Big Weekend has expanded to include a Friday of activities, which is now its dedicated “Dance Party”. Generally the chosen cities and locations are diverse, ranging from beachside resorts, open park land or historic castle grounds.

Last year’s Big Weekend at Liverpool’s Sefton Park will be a hard act to follow. As if their three headliners of Tom Grennan, Sam Fender and Mumford & Sons weren’t enough, it made the headlines by way of Ed Sheeran’s secret set. Other massive names present included Wolf Alice, Biffy Clyro, and Lola Young. For 2026 Radio 1 are coming to Sunderland, holding three days at the city’s Herrington Country Park. The site hosted the 2005 edition with a top lineup of Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Natalie Imbruglia and KT Tunstall.

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So far this year’s announcement is for the Friday’s Dance Party, which Radio 1 promise will be their biggest and best yet. In a BBC News article on the reveal, they say “It will be the first time the festival will be using all of its stages to host a ‘huge dance party’ on the first day”. The biggest name on the list is DJ Norman Cook, known by his stage name Fatboy Slim. Owner of a Grammy, 9 MTV Video Awards, two Brit Awards and a coveted Ivor Novello Award, he’s done it all in his career. No stranger to clubs or festivals of the world, he’s had countless radio hits and always carried an incredible reputation for his live mixes.

Cook’s main co-headliner is Sonny Fodera, an Australian house DJ who has worked with the likes of Calvin Harris, Glass Animals and Diplo. Also on the top bracket of the bill are fellow-Aussie producer FISHER and American house DJ MK. The rest of the lineup includes BBC Radio 1’s station DJs Arielle Free, Charlie Hedges, Danny Howard and Sarah Story.

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend Sunderland runs from Friday the 22nd to Sunday the 24th of May, with tickets for the Friday on sale now. The Saturday’s lineup is due to be announced on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show next Monday, the 9th of March, with the BBC hinting that the final list will feature over 100 acts. Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday go live at 5PM on Wednesday the 11th of March.

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The event runs from Wednesday the 8th to Saturday the 11th of July, held in a beautifully green setting on Upcote Farm, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Since its inaugural year in 2007, it’s hosted major names from rock, punk, metal and indie, with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Turnstile, and Coheed and Cambria all playing sets among the trees that gave the festival its name.

From the previous announcement in November, there was already a lot to look forward to. The Wednesday has Canadian punks Pup, as well as British up-and-comers Lake Malice and Split Chain; Thursday has a big headliner in punk veterans Alkaline Trio; Friday’s undercard is topped off with Lambrini Girls and Cancer Bats; and Saturday sees post-hardcore legends Glassjaw return to the UK.

The collection of bands in today’s haul are in many ways a celebration of British acts coming back from inactivity, with the major players having returned to the fray at some point in the last 10 years. The biggest name of the 2026 reveal is Funeral For A Friend playing 2000Trees for the first time since 2013, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their inception in the process. One of Wales’ most beloved exports, they were at the forefront of the emo movement through the 2000s and 2010s, before calling time on the band in 2016. After reforming for 2 fundraiser concerts in 2019, they’ve decided to keep touring, even following the departure of long-term lead singer Matthew Davies-Kreye in 2023. Now with the exceptional Lucas Woodland of Welsh compatriots Holding Absence on live vocal duties, they’ll be using their only headline show of the year to treat nostalgic fans to their unique brand of emotional post-hardcore.

Marmozets are another British band who came back from a hiatus with new-found drive, having only reformed and started touring again in 2024. Their live shows have always had a reputation for untamed energy, with their high-tempo mathcore earning them slots at Glastonbury, as well as Reading and Leeds festivals. The West Yorkshire unit’s third album and first since 2018, ‘CO.WAR.DICE’ comes out on the 22nd of May, giving fans ample time to learn the new songs.

Rounding the list of comeback kings off is Kingston upon Thames’ Arcane Roots, who separated in 2018 and only released their first single since then just over a week ago. ‘A Wave, Across The Sea’ came out on the 27th of January, a moodily pulsating slow-burner that builds to a thunderous metal climax. Having expanded their line-up from 3 members to 5, they’ll be looking to make their Friday reunion show special indeed.

Other noteworthy announcements include the two-for-one deal of LA punk band The Bronx and their brilliant Mexican-infused side-hustle Mariachi El Bronx, both performing on Thursday, and As Everything Unfolds on Saturday, with the High Wycombe band on a massive rise via their exciting modern rock with a metal tinge.

The poster also has a space marked “headliner TBA” on the bill for Saturday, so keep your eyes peeled for at least one more big name before July. Final release tickets for 2000Trees can be found here.

The announcement comes after the singer’s comeback, and the shows will see him play his first tour dates in two years at arenas and festivals around the UK allowing him to debut new music.

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He will play eight shows, which will start June 24 next year at Dublin’s Marlay Park.

From there, he will play at Thomond Park in Limerick June 26, TK Maxx Presents Live at Powderham in Exeter June 28, and the Blackweir Fields in Cardiff June 30.

The next month, he will play the new Roundhay Festival in Leeds July 4, and then headline London’s BST Hyde Park July 11.

The shows will then wrap up August 20 at the Belfast Vital, with the last show being on August 22 in Manchester at Wythenshawe Park.

Lewis Capaldi first broke through the music industry in 2017 with his independently released single ‘Bruises’, which quickly became a hit and became the fastest ever song by an unsigned artist to reach 25 million plays on Spotify.

In 2018, he released the EP ‘Breach’, which featured ‘Someone You Loved’, and the song gained him international fame.

His debut album, ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’, was released in May 2019 and included songs like ‘Hold Me While You Wait’, and ‘Someone You Loved’. The album became one of the best-selling records in the UK that year, spending several weeks at the top of the charts.

In 2023, he released his second album, ‘Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent‘, which included chart-topping single ‘Wish You The Best’.

The same year, he also revealed that he had Tourette syndrome and struggled with anxiety, which affected his live performances, including a widely discussed set at Glastonbury.

He chose to take a break from touring to focus on his mental and physical health.

Lewis Capaldi’s comeback was hinted at by his close friend Yungblud, who teased that Lewis was “sounding great”, and back working on new music.

The pair have bonded over their shared experiences with mental health struggles, offering support to one another away from the spotlight.

This year, Lewis Capaldi made a comeback, returning to live shows, and surprising fans with appearances at charity events such as a benefit gig in Edinburgh for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which works in suicide prevention.

When Lewis Capaldi stepped out for his surprise set at Glastonbury 2025, the stage erupted. Fans who remembered his emotional exit, were excited to see him smiling.

He told the crowd, “second time’s a charm… I just wanted to finish what I couldn’t finish the first time around.”

He has also released new music such as his single ‘Survive’ and has announced plans to headline major UK festivals next year.

His current run of UK arena shows started on September 7 in Sheffield, and will continue tomorrow with the first of his three shows at London’s O2 Arena, with the tour concluding with two nights in Dublin.

Pre-sale tickets for the new dates next year go on sale September 18 at 9am, and fans can sign up here.

General sale will start from September 19 at 9am and will be available here.

Lewis Capaldi new 2026 UK and Ireland tour dates:

June 24 – Dublin – Marlay Park

June 26 – Limerick – Thomond Park

June 28 – Exeter – TX Maxx Presents Live at Powderham

June 30 – Cardiff – Blackweir Fields

July 4 – Leeds – American Express presents Roundhay Festival

July 11 – London – American Express presents BST Hyde Park

August 20 – Belfast – Belfast Vital

August 22 – Manchester – Wythenshawe Park

Operational costs have surged dramatically, with power supplies, artist fees, and logistical expenses climbing by as much as 35%, according to Scoop. Brexit has added another layer of complexity, with border delays making equipment transport a costly gamble.

As posted before, there will not be a Festival in 2024, but there is to be a planning meeting on 5th September, 7.15 at Brockholes Village Hall. If you would like the Festival to continue, do please come along – your help will be appreciated. pic.twitter.com/tGtVLMIQrx

— HolmfirthMusicalFest (@HMFCompetition) August 4, 2024

Grassroots events have been hit particularly hard. Smaller, community-driven gatherings—often dependent on local partnerships and volunteers—are being squeezed out by monopolistic practices. Exclusive contracts with major promoters tie headline acts to larger festivals, leaving smaller ones without the star power they need to attract audiences. The repercussions extend far beyond the festival gates. Local economies that rely on the influx of festival-goers—from food vendors to independent traders—are struggling. Meanwhile, ticket prices for major festivals have soared to £300 or more, alienating many long-time attendees. For these events which aren’t just parties but cultural lifelines, the loss often leads to a vital missing part of social identity.

There will be more than 500 amazing food traders at #Glastonbury2017. So we thought they deserved their own line-up poster… pic.twitter.com/DTFAI9qQkQ

— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) June 18, 2017

Even established festivals are being forced to adapt. Many now book headliners years in advance, a risky strategy in a volatile music industry. Festivals are attempting to capture a moment in time, but audiences in two years might not feel the same way as they do at the time of booking. While this approach secures marquee names such as Sabrina Carpenter or Charli XCX, it also locks festivals into decisions that may not resonate when the event finally takes place.

At the same time, audiences have come to expect more elaborate productions—immersive LED screens, intricate choreography, and lavish stage setups. Meeting these expectations further increases costs, turning festivals into high-stakes gambles.

Amid these challenges, there is hope. Both the AIF and the Federation of Festivals are pushing for greater public and governmental support. They advocate for initiatives like capping resold ticket prices and investing in smaller festivals, which play a crucial role in the cultural ecosystem.

However, the question remains: can Britain’s festivals endure as spaces for discovery and communal joy, or will they succumb to economic pressures and exclusivity? As the summer approaches, the stakes have never been higher for an industry at a crossroads.

This trend aligns with a recent study by The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), which reported that over 40 UK festivals have cancelled their 2024 editions. The cancellations were largely attributed to high production costs and insufficient ticket sales, painting a grim picture for the festival circuit.

David Borrie, CEO of PIRATE.COM, emphasised the need for government intervention to sustain the festival scene. “There’s a strong culture among musicians and music fans to support the acts, promoters, and venues they love, whether by buying tickets, merchandise, or records. However, with ticket prices being what they are, the scene can’t sustain the festival circuit on its own. Government support is now essential,” he said.

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Despite the financial strain, the survey revealed that 47% of respondents still plan to attend at least two festivals in 2024, demonstrating a resilient demand for live music experiences. However, 27% of festivalgoers have opted out entirely this year, likely deterred by the steep rise in ticket prices. For instance, a Glastonbury ticket now costs £355, a significant increase that has priced out many fans.

When it comes to spending limits, nearly half of the respondents (49%) indicated they wouldn’t pay more than £200 for a festival ticket. Breaking it down further, 31% are capping their spend at £199, and 18% won’t go over £100. On the other hand, 27% are willing to stretch to £299, and a small group (15%) might even consider spending as much as £399. The survey also highlighted a shift in festivalgoers’ preferences, with 29% choosing to stick with their favourite festivals rather than exploring new ones.

Jack Robinson, Managing Director of The Pack Group, which handles marketing for festivals like Cross the Tracks and City Splash, noted a significant increase in the uptake of early bird deals and payment plans. These options have become essential for many fans trying to manage the financial burden of attending festivals.

The findings underscore a critical juncture for the UK’s festival industry. While the passion for live music remains strong, the financial realities are forcing fans to make tough choices, indicating that without substantial support, the vibrant festival culture that has long been a hallmark of the UK’s music scene may face an uncertain future.

Melvin Benn who is the managing director of festival republic said that “Reading and Leeds are among the country’s biggest gatherings of young people and sit at the very heart of youth culture.” When talking about this younger generation of adults he added that “it is vital that their voices be heard at the general election. He also highlighted the importance of the music industry for positive change saying that ” Just Vote is a great way to empower our audiences to channel their energy into exercising their democratic right at this historic moment.”

Dale Vince who is the founder of the Just Vote campaign, said that “This is the most important general election of our lifetime, and the UK music scene has immense cultural influence which can mobilise young people to make their voice heard on 4 July.”

He also encouraged festival headliners and performers to endorse the movement “We’re also calling on the UK’s musicians to use your platforms to rally young people to register and then get out and vote. Artists playing these festivals – if you see this please get involved and help spread the word about the Just Vote campaign: the future of our country depends on young people having a say!”

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Reading and Leeds will take place on the August bank holiday weekend from the 23rd to the 25th and will see headliners Liam Gallagher, Blink 182, Fred again, Lana Del Rey, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Gerry Cinnamon as well as many more huge names.

As well as Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury have also joined the initiative and are running a competition to win tickets to the festival later this month where young people will have the chance to win 2 tickets if they are registered to vote and sign up for reminders about key election moments. Glastonbury will also have a ‘Crash the Party’ installation that will be interactive, reminding people at the festival to vote in the week following.

Glastonbury will be headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Sza with the organisers revealing the full lineup earlier this week including the full set times for the festival.

Other ‘Crash the Party’ participants include Boomtown Festival, Love Saves The Day Festival, Music Venues Trust, Night Time Industries Association, The O2, OVO Arena Wembley, Rough Trade, Save Our Scene, Secret Garden Party plus many more.

The full line-up for Glastonbury 2024 is here – with set times! Head to https://t.co/LV4LrFYHHl to see it.

Plus our official app launches this week!

Artwork by @StanleyDonwood pic.twitter.com/riEsu0gnY5

— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) June 4, 2024

This year’s edition of Glastonbury will see a new stage introduced that is dedicated to south Asian talent called Arrivals, which will be part of the late-night Shangri-La area and has also been designed by a group of South Asian organisations.

We will also see a new design of Arcadia, which is called the dragonfly. The dragonfly will explore ideas around preventing climate change as well as being ‘a unifying symbol’. This new edition of Arcadia will see Dance music royalty, Fatboy Slim, opening the stage on Friday. As well as Scotland’s very own Barry Can’t Swim taking the stage on Saturday, followed by a big Sunday night for drum and bass heads, where Hedex will go back-to-back with Bou followed by Andy C closing the stage for the weekend.

Squeeze will open the Pyramid stage on Friday at noon led by the legendary song writing duo of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz and Burna Boy are among the other acts playing on the main stage.

The Other stage sees drill rapper Headie one perform on Friday followed by Bristol’s own, IDLES closing the first day. Mike Skinner’s, the Streets play the penultimate set on Saturday with Soft Play returning to Glastonbury under their new name ahead of their upcoming album, Heavy Jelly, which is set to be released next month.

Fontaines D.C. will headline The Park Stage in the Friday night as they follow straight after King Krule. South Korean dance titan, Peggy Gou, headlines the stage on the Saturday, with post-punk outfit, Psychadelic Porn Crumpets playing on Sunday and London Grammar will be playing the closing set for the stage.

Legends Haircut 100 will turn out at Avalon stage on the Friday with reggae metal band Skindred Playing the Headline set on the first day. Indie rock outfit Flyte will also play on Avalon on Saturday. Billy Bragg headlines Left Field on Friday and Punk rap duo, Bob Vylan close out the stage on the Saturday, so expect political themes to be at the centre of these performances.

See the full line-up and set times here.

This year seems to have been one of the most competitive years in terms of tickets with the festival’s organiser Emily Eavis saying that 2024 had the “highest percentage of ticket balances paid ever!” since payment plans were introduced, leaving less tickets for the final resale which happened on 21st April.

 

 

 

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