First Acts Announced for Boomtown Festival 2026

The most ambitious version of Boomtown ever created is set to take place in August 2026. Today, a wide array of 40+ live and electronic artists have been revealed for the line-up alongside detailed expansion plans, as one of the world’s leading festival experiences ushers in a bold new era, Chapter 5: Radical Redesign.

Today’s announcement brings together legends and trailblazers across genres and generations, with Belfast’s politically charged trio Kneecap alongside New York’s Scissor Sisters, icons of glam-pop and drag performance. Madness are set to bring their own house of fun to the middle of Boomtown again following their memorable set on Lion’s Den in 2016. The true genre-defying maximalist producer Skrillex will be joined on the line-up by the visionary Four Tet – responsible for some of the most groundbreaking electronic music releases in the past decade, as British dance pioneers Faithless celebrate their 30th anniversary at the festival next year. None other than Scooter, the one of a kind German happy hardcore ravers will make an anticipated debut at Boomtown, alongside the unapologetic Jamaican showman Shaggy. The fearless boundary-breaking force Ashnikko joins the bill off the back releasing her thrilling second album ‘Smoochies’, next to fellow US rap innovator Eve, known for era-defining hits ‘Who’s That Girl’ and ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’.

Elsewhere, Boomtown unites some of the most influential forces on the dance floor, with drum & bass titans Camo & Krooked B2B Mefjus, chart-topping powerhouse Wilkinson, euphoric Berlin trance DJ Marlon Hoffstadt, explosive UKG and bass duo Kilimanjaro B2B Oppidan, German rising star Diffrent, hard-hitting techno disruptor Brutalismus 3000, and high-speed rave innovator Sherelle – AV Show. They’re joined by dance floor veterans Groove Armada, forward-thinking electronic master Floating Points – Live, UK bass favourite Notion, and boundary pushing newcomer Nimino – Live, plus Boomtown royalty Shy FX, marking a true homecoming moment for the festival.

The line-up also spans everything from iconic hip-hop and rap moments with Havoc of Mobb Deep featuring BIG NOYD + DJ L.E.S, Princess Nokia and the celebrated Sampa the Great. Another vital new voice in a league of their own is Manchester’s dancefloor poet Antony Szmierek. Boomtown also turns up the volume with more incredible live bands, from heavy hitters Skindred, ska heroes Bad Manners and American ska-punk favourites Less Than Jake, to rising UK punk powerhouses High Vis and Big Special. Completing today massive first reveal is heavyweight sound system favourites Mungo’s Hi Fi Allstars, Gentleman’s Dub Club & Friends, and global reggae force Alborosie & Shengen Clan and more. Adding to those unforgettable festival moments will be the undeniable party-starters Vengaboys and Elvana, serving the biggest hits of unbridled fun and nostalgia. Boomtown has always championed the unexpected, and never before has its sheer diversity of sound and style felt so audacious and so convincing.

Speaking about the new direction in the festival’s booking, Boomtown’s Co-Founder Luke Mitchell said: “Musically – While bass music has dominated in recent years and will always be at our core, we’re making a conscious move to keep Boomtown musically diverse and unpredictable. Expect more live bands and more cross-genre adventures. That’s where Boomtown began, and it’s what keeps us on the truest path forward”

With over hundreds of artists to be revealed around the unfolding story of Chapter 5: Radical Redesign, Boomtown’s ever-progressing universe steps into a vibrant and unpredictable cross-genre adventure. 

Boomtown takes place at Matterley Bowl in Hampshire from Wednesday 12th August to Sunday 16th August 2026. Public transport tickets go on sale 30th October, with
Festival entry tickets on sale 31st October. Sign up for early access: www.boomtownfair.co.uk/tickets