Wunderhorse are set to headline the Saturday night of Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026, with the band’s only outdoor UK performance outside of London. It’s a major win for the city and cements the festival’s reputation for snagging the most in-demand names in British guitar music.
Announced last month, the band will top the bill on Saturday 29 August, joining an already heavyweight trio of headliners that includes The Streets and Richard Ashcroft. Festival Director Ali O’Reilly called the booking “incredibly significant”, adding: “We tried really hard to get them over the line… our programming has always been about championing artists who are shaping the future of live music.”
Wunderhorse’s ascent has been anything but overnight. Fronted by Jacob Slater, they’ve carved a cult following through bruising live shows and two acclaimed albums – Cub and 2024’s Midas. The latter, recorded at the same Minnesota studio as Nirvana’s In Utero, won praise for its raw intensity and emotional depth, with Rolling Stone UK calling it “the arrival of a band that could become generational”.
Main support on the night comes from the ever-compelling Baxter Dury. Known for his spoken-word swagger and wry observations, Dury’s live sets are magnetic – blending wit, intimacy and a sort of louche charm that’s made him one of Britain’s most distinctive voices. His latest album, I Thought I Was Better Than You, landed in 2023 to widespread acclaim.
Also confirmed for the Saturday are Mercury Prize-winning Leeds band English Teacher and London’s chaotic, high-energy indie outfit Fat Dog, with more names still to come.
The festival itself returns to Don Valley Bowl from 28–30 August, with a mix of big-top stage energy and immersive circus performances woven throughout. Expect acrobats, fire shows and surprise pop-up theatre alongside the live music.
The full weekend line-up now includes The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on Friday, Wunderhorse on Saturday and Richard Ashcroft closing the Sunday, joined by The Fratellis and Cast.
Ticket Information:
Presale: Wednesday 4 February
General Sale: Friday 6 February
Venue: Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield
Tickets & info: rocknrollcircus.co.uk
