Babyshambles, Embrace and Casisdead join the final wave for Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026
Running from 27–30 August, the festival’s latest announcement rounds off one of its most ambitious programmes to date, blending iconic British acts with landmark album performances and a new generation of emerging talent. They join previously announced names including The Kooks, Milburn, Miles Kane, The Streets, Wunderhorse and Richard Ashcroft.
Friday’s line-up sees Babyshambles lead the latest additions, marking a return to the festival for frontman Peter Doherty. “There’s something about Rock N Roll Circus that sticks with you,” he said. “It’s not just the music, it’s the whole world they build around it.”
They’ll appear ahead of The Streets’ full performance of A Grand Don’t Come For Free, alongside Casisdead, Hak Baker, KhakiKid and Yorkshire’s own Ellur, bringing together a diverse mix of indie, rap and alternative sounds under the Big Top.
Across the weekend, organisers continue to spotlight emerging artists, including several with deep musical lineage. Thursday’s opening night features Spanish Horses, which includes Albert Cocker – son of Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker – alongside Cruz Beckham and The Breakers, making their first festival appearance of the year with a Britpop-inspired set.
They’re joined by fast-rising indie outfit The Clause, newcomers Fletchr Fletchr and Australian surf-rock band Day We Ran, adding fresh energy to a night already headlined by The Kooks performing Inside In / Inside Out in full, plus Milburn and Miles Kane.
The next generation continues into Sunday, where Villanelle – fronted by Gene Gallagher – appear on a stacked closing bill led by Richard Ashcroft. Embrace, The Fratellis and Cast also feature, alongside Sheffield favourites Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Saturday centres on Wunderhorse, one of the UK’s most talked-about live bands, supported by Baxter Dury, English Teacher and a wave of rising names including Gurriers, Basht. and The Molotovs.
Reverend and The Makers frontman Jon McClure, reflecting on the city’s musical identity, said: “This city’s always had it – the bands, the people, the culture – but we’ve never been the loudest about it. Rock N Roll Circus is Sheffield stepping up and saying: this is who we are.”
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly described the 2026 edition as a defining moment. “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,” she said.
Tickets and more information are available now from rocknrollcircus.co.uk
