Takedown Festival, the award-nominated independent event, has expanded its 2026 lineup with the addition of ten new artists. The rock and metal festival is set to return to the Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th April 2026, bringing another stacked bill of heavy music to the south coast.
The new additions bolster both days of the festival. Friday’s lineup now includes veterans The Wildhearts, INME, and Kill The Lights. Saturday sees the inclusion of Graphic Nature, noted as one of the UK’s most prominent new heavy acts, alongside the explosive alt-rock of The Hara. Also joining the Saturday bill are Mason Hill, The Bottom Line, Mould, Waterlines, and Slackrr.
These new acts join the previously announced headliners. PRESIDENT are set to make their first-ever festival headline appearance at the event. The masked collective, known as one of heavy music’s most exciting new forces, are expected to deliver a defining performance. Also topping the bill are Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, who will be bringing a special Motörhead set.
Graphic Nature commented on the announcement: “We’re stoked to announce that we will be headlining the Metal For Good Stage at Takedown Festival 2026. A cause close to our hearts. We are all part of a unique community in the metal world. Our message is always about improving wellbeing within ourselves, something that Metal For Good connects with.”
The Hara added: “We are absolutely buzzing to be playing Takedown festival for the first time next year! Our new album THE FALLOUT drops January so we can’t wait to play some new music and open up the pits!!!”
INME’s vocalist Dave McPherson shared his enthusiasm: “It’s such a massive honour to be a part of the incredible Takedown Festival again! We’ll be bringing our ‘Butterfly Demons’ show, simultaneously celebrating the 20th anniversary of our album White Butterfly and our long awaited new record Demons, as well as playing all the singalongs! We’re in the best place InMe has ever been and it’s a privilege to join this amazing lineup! Join us together in the name of love, fun and music!”
The Wildhearts vocalist Ginger added: “We could not be more excited to be a part of Takedown Festival 2026! The event is always incredible and we cannot wait to bring our high octane horror show to that awesome stage. As massive Motörhead fans we are also buzzing to see Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons play their killer Motörhead set.”
Tickets for Takedown Festival 2026 are available now via takedownfestival.com.
After an eight-year hiatus, Takedown made a triumphant return in 2023, headlined by Sleep Token and Skindred. The festival, which relocated from its original home at Southampton University to the larger Portsmouth Guildhall, has quickly re-established itself as a key date in the UK rock calendar. Following its comeback, Takedown was nominated for Best Small Festival, Best Metropolitan Festival, and the Grassroots Festival Award at the 2023 UK Festival Awards.
Tickets for Takedown Festival 2026 are on sale now
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