Rock N Roll Circus will return to Sheffield’s Don Valley Bowl next summer – and organisers have just dropped a huge addition to the 2026 lineup.
Richard Ashcroft will headline the Sunday night (30 August), joining the already-announced The Streets, who are set to kick things off on the Friday with a full performance of A Grand Don’t Come For Free, while the Saturday headliner still under wraps, so keep checking back for that one!
Ashcroft’s live shows are the stuff of legend – and after a monster 2025 as the special guest on Oasis’ global reunion tour, he’ll bring that same energy to the Rock N Roll Circus Big Top. Expect a set packed with iconic tracks like ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, ‘A Song For The Lovers’ and ‘Lucky Man’, alongside material from his new album Lovin’ You, which has been racking up critical acclaim.
Long hailed as one of the most magnetic frontmen in British music, Ashcroft’s legacy is woven deep into the Britpop story – not least through his long-standing friendship with the Gallagher brothers. Noel famously wrote ‘Cast No Shadow’ about him, cementing Ashcroft’s place in UK rock folklore.
Festival director Ali O’Reilly said: “Richard Ashcroft is a towering figure in British music and a phenomenal live performer, so we’re thrilled to be bringing him to Sheffield for 2026. It is shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting year yet. Sheffield always brings incredible energy to Rock N Roll Circus, and we can’t wait to return to Don Valley Bowl for another unforgettable weekend.”
Also announced for the Sunday are Scottish indie stalwarts The Fratellis, fresh from anniversary shows celebrating Costello Music, and Britpop favourites Cast, fronted by John Power (The La’s), who’s recently been back on the road with Oasis too. With that trio on the same bill, expect a full-on celebration of UK indie’s golden era.
Known for blending big-name acts with circus spectacle, Rock N Roll Circus is far from your typical festival. With the main stage under the Big Top, performances take place in an immersive, intimate, and weather-proof setting – with acrobats, aerialists and fire performers lighting up the weekend alongside the music.
Tickets are on sale now and moving quickly, with Mike Skinner’s Streets set sparking nationwide buzz. Expect more announcements soon, including Saturday’s main act and the full circus programme.
Rock N Roll Circus 2026
Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2026
