Rock N Roll Circus 2026: Huge Acts and Local Favourites Announced to Complete the August Weekender

Rock N Roll Circus has unveiled its full 2026 Sheffield line-up, adding a huge wave of new artists across all four days - led by the return of Babyshambles, the cult band fronted by Peter Doherty, alongside UK rap’s enigmatic force Casisdead, fast-rising indie favourites The Clause and one of the most talked-about new bands in the UK right now, Gurriers among a host of local favourites as we've come to expect from Rock N Roll Circus.

The announcement completes one of the most ambitious line-ups the festival has delivered to date, blending iconic names, landmark album performances and a new generation of artists stepping onto one of the North’s most exciting stages - alongside performances from The Kooks, Milburn and Miles Kane on a huge opening night.

Leading the latest additions to join The Streets on Friday 28 August is Babyshambles. Fronted by Peter Doherty, the band remain one of the most influential and unpredictable forces in British indie. Their appearance also marks a return to Rock N Roll Circus for Doherty, who previously performed with The Libertines at the festival’s Newcastle debut in 2022, before delivering a special acoustic set alongside Carl Barât in Sheffield in 2025.

Peter Doherty said of his experience: “There’s something about Rock N Roll Circus that sticks with you. It’s not just the music, it’s the whole world they build around it. We’ve had some brilliant moments there before, so bringing Babyshambles into that tent feels like coming back to something special.”

They are joined on Friday by Casisdead, whose cinematic, dystopian sound has made him one of the most distinctive voices in UK rap, alongside genre-blurring songwriter Hak Baker, rising alternative artist KhakiKid, and Sheffield’s own Ellur. 

Across the weekend, Rock N Roll Circus continues its commitment to championing new talent - including a new wave of artists with deep musical lineage. Thursday 27 August sees the addition of Spanish Horses, the emerging indie band featuring guitarist Albert Cocker, son of Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, bringing a modern take on classic British guitar music.

They are joined by Cruz Beckham and The Breakers, in what is the artist’s first festival announcement of the year. As the son of David and Victoria Beckham, he’ll be stepping onto the stage with his own Britpop-inspired band, marking a high-profile moment for a new generation of artists carving out their own identity. The next generation continues into Sunday, with Villanelle, fronted by Gene Gallagher, reinforcing the festival’s thread of musical heritage across the bill.

Also joining Thursday are fast-rising indie band The Clause, hotly tipped newcomers Fletchr Fletchr and Australian indie surf-rock outfit Day We Ran, whose sun-drenched sound and coastal aesthetic bring a fresh dynamic to the opening night.

There is also a huge selection of the area's best up and coming artists, who Rock N Roll Circus continue to champion. Standouts for us include a return for the incredibly exciting Sundress and the enigmatic singer-songwriter Sonni Mills, another Rock N Roll Circus favourite.

Thursday is a celebration of indie icons The Kooks for a 20th anniversary of their seminal debut album Inside In/Inside Out. Friday night sees The Streets perform their own legendary album A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full, while Saturday is headlined by Wunderhorse, one of the most exciting bands in modern British guitar music. The day is further bolstered by a wave of fast-rising names including Gurriers, Basht. and The Molotovs, three of the most talked-about bands on the live circuit right now, adding serious depth to an already stacked bill.

Sunday closes with Richard Ashcroft, supported by The Fratellis, Cast - fresh from their international tour with Oasis - and now Embrace, bringing together a powerhouse line-up of era-defining British bands. Sheffield favourites Everly Pregnant Brothers also join the bill, adding a unique hometown flavour to a huge closing day.

Rock N Roll Circus continues to stand apart by blending world-class live music with immersive circus and theatrical performance across the site. From aerialists and fire performers to roaming spectacle, the experience extends far beyond the main stage.

All headline performances take place inside the festival’s iconic Big Top, creating an intimate, high-energy atmosphere while ensuring shows remain weather-proof. VIP upgrades are available, offering fast-track entry, premium viewing areas, private bars, upgraded food options and dedicated seating.

Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said: “This is exactly what Rock N Roll Circus is about - bringing together iconic artists, celebrating huge records, and giving a platform to the next generation coming through. To have artists like Babyshambles, The Molotovs, Heid Curtis, Gurriers joining a line-up that already includes The Kooks, Milburn, Miles Kane, The Streets, Wunderhorse and Richard Ashcroft is incredibly exciting. Sheffield has always backed us, and this year’s line-up feels like."

You can still grab tickets for the weekend or single days if you're quick, just head to www.rocknrollcircus.co.uk/sheffield for more details.