Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, and Skrillex among headliners for Boomtown 2026
Boomtown 2026 is returning to Hampshire in August 2026.
Boomtown has announced the first wave of artists for its 2026 edition.
Set to take place from August 12 to 16 at the Matterley Estate in Hampshire, the festival - known for its immersive storytelling and eclectic music programming - is undergoing a major transformation under the banner “Chapter 5: Radical Redesign.” Organisers say the changes will include new districts, expanded woodland areas, and a more diverse musical offering.
Among the headline acts are Belfast rap trio Kneecap, ska veterans Madness, and glam-pop group Scissor Sisters. Electronic music will be well represented with performances from Skrillex, Four Tet, Faithless, and Groove Armada (DJ set). Other notable names include Shaggy, Eve, Ashnikko, Floating Points, Princess Nokia, Skindred, High Vis, Wilkinson, Elvana, Big Special, and Scooter.
Kneecap said: “If anyone knows of ‘a better way to live’ it’s the sound citizens of Boomtown… This one’s going to be special, see yis all there."
Faithless will mark their 30th anniversary with their first-ever Boomtown appearance. Sister Bliss said the Insomnia group was “beyond excited” to join the festival.
Co-founder Luke Mitchell stated that while bass music remains central to Boomtown’s identity, the 2026 edition aims to broaden its musical scope and appeal to a wider audience.
He commented: “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.”
Tickets are on sale now here, with more acts expected to be announced in the coming months.
The 2025 edition of Boomtown saw electric performances from the likes of Sean Paul, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Maribou State, Overmono, Hybrid Minds, Nia Archives, and Rudim3ntal.
