Takedown Festival Drops 2026 Stage Splits and Expands Line-Up
Masked collective PRESIDENT set for debut headline set as ARTIO, Overgrown and more join the bill
Takedown Festival is back and louder than ever. The award-nominated rock and metal gathering has unveiled its official stage splits for 2026, confirming set times, headliners, and a fresh batch of artists joining the already ferocious line-up.
Returning to Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April, the two-day alternative weekender is gearing up to make this year’s edition the biggest yet.
PRESIDENT Make Headline Debut
Taking the Saturday main stage top slot are PRESIDENT, the enigmatic masked force making their first-ever festival headline appearance. They’ll follow an unrelenting build-up featuring Wargasm, As It Is, Zetra, and Leeds’ own Artio — who recently dropped their acclaimed debut Soul Rot.
On Friday, the Kerrang! Stage will be headlined by Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with a special Motörhead tribute set, supported by UK legends The Wildhearts, South of Salem, and Kill The Lights.
New Artists Announced
Joining the bill are a stack of new names that further diversify the Takedown roster. Nu-grunge newcomers Overgrown and the chaotic energy of Carsick and Pavé now bolster Saturday’s Total Rock Stage. Elsewhere, King Kraken and Wall bring added weight to Friday’s line-up.
The Metal For Good Stage also gets a major boost, with Vexed and Waterlines joining a line-up that includes InMe, Saint Agnes, and Graphic Nature.
Full Stage Splits
FRIDAY (03 April 2026)
Kerrang! Stage
- Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
- The Wildhearts
- South of Salem
- Asomvel
- Kill The Lights
Total Rock Stage
- Gnôme
- Wall
- Gurt
- King Kraken
Metal For Good Stage
- InMe
- Devere
- The Fear
SATURDAY (04 April 2026)
Kerrang! Stage
- President
- Wargasm
- As It Is
- Mouth Culture
- Vower
- Lastelle
- Zetra
- Artio
Total Rock Stage
- The Hara
- Bex
- Bottom Line
- Mould
- Carsick
- Pavé
- Slacker
- Overgrown
Metal For Good Stage
- Graphic Nature
- Mason Hill
- Saint Agnes
- Tropic Gold
- Profiler
- Vexed
- Waterlines
Festival directors Kai and Sarah Harris expressed excitement about the announcement:
“We’re pleased to share this year’s stage splits, highlighting a strong and diverse lineup across all stages. We are very proud of the 2026 edition and can’t wait to see everyone having a great time. See you in the pit.”
After roaring back in 2023 from an eight-year hiatus, Takedown has proven it’s here to stay. With a new home at Portsmouth Guildhall and past nominations for Best Small Festival and Best Metropolitan Festival, its resurrection has quickly cemented it as a cornerstone of the UK’s alt calendar.
Tickets are on sale now via takedownfestival.com.
