Rock N Roll Circus 2026: Wunderhorse Unveiled as Final Headliner

Finally, Rock N Roll Circus has confirmed its final headliners for the Saturday date of its 2026 Sheffield edition. Marking another statement show for the festival, British guitar rock gamechangers Wunderhorse will fill The Big Top stage

with one of only two outdoor UK shows by the band this year, and the only one taking place outside London. This announcement represents a significant coup for the award-winning festival and for audiences across Sheffield and the North in general.

The announcement completes a fantastic trio of headliners for Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield, with Wunderhorse sandwiched between The Streets on Friday and Richard Ashcroft on Sunday, further underlining the festival’s burgeoning reputation for bold, forward-thinking programming. Wunderhorse are evidently one of the most exciting bands to emerge in recent years and Rock N Roll Circus are providing a huge platform to this still relatively new band.

Wunderhorse will headline Saturday 29th August 2026, and they will be joined at Don Valley Bowl by a host of other exciting artists. Baxter Dury has been confirmed as the main support, with the Mercury Prize winning Yorkshire band English Teacher and the much loved London indie group Fat Dog also confirmed. All of these artists have been familiar with Sheffield in recent years with Baxter Dury forming part of Pulp's curated lineup at last year's Tramlines, Fat Dog slated to headline Kelham's Get Together Festival in May and English Teacher collaborating with former Rock N Roll Circus Headliner Richard Hawley at 6 Music Festival last year.

Led by songwriter and frontman Jacob Slater, Wunderhorse have seen their popularity snowball, winning fans through visceral live performances and vivid, emotionally charged songwriting. Rolling Stone UK hailed 2024 as “the arrival of a band that could become generational” following the release of their acclaimed second album Midas which was able to capture the raw intensity of the band’s live shows. The album has since turned silver and cemented Wunderhorse as one of the most exciting forces in contemporary British guitar music.

Since its release, the band have played their biggest headline shows to date, won The Group Award at the 2025 Rolling Stone UK Awards (seeing off the likes of Oasis, Prodigy, Nova Twins and The Royston Club), and continued to build momentum through relentless touring and word-of-mouth acclaim.

Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said: “Wunderhorse are one of the most exciting British bands to emerge in recent years, and bringing one of their only outdoor UK shows to Sheffield feels incredibly significant. We are huge fans of the band and tried really hard to get them over the line. We’re also super excited about the line-up. Our programming has always been about championing artists who are shaping the future of live music and giving audiences outside of London access to truly special shows.”

Alongside the staple world-class live music, audiences can, as always, expect immersive circus performances throughout the site from aerialists and acrobats to fire performers and theatrical pop-up moments. The main stage is housed inside the festival’s iconic big top, creating an intimate, high-energy atmosphere while ensuring shows go ahead whatever the weather.

The full Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026 headline programme now sees The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on Friday, Wunderhorse headlining Saturday, and Richard Ashcroft closing the weekend on Sunday, supported by The Fratellis and Cast. Together, the line-up reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating both iconic British artists and contemporary acts shaping the future of guitar music, and there is plenty more still expected to be announced in the lead up to kick off.

Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield returns to Don Valley Bowl from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026 and tickets are available now from the Rock N Roll Circus website. VIP upgrades are also available, offering fast-track entry, exclusive viewing areas, private bars, premium food options, dedicated seating and luxury facilities - designed to enhance comfort while retaining the spirit of the festival.