Novacaine Festival Announce First Wave of Bands for 2026
As Everything Unfolds, Tropic Gold, TheCityIsOurs and FOXHAUNT confirmed Novacaine Festival has revealed the first wave of artists for its 2026 edition, signalling a major step forward for the fast-rising UK alternative event.
After a hugely successful debut on Saturday 4 October 2025, Novacaine Festival quickly established itself as a new platform within the UK alternative music scene. The inaugural event was headlined by The Five Hundred, with main support from Bleed Again, alongside a diverse line-up including DACRA, Night Thieves, Reckoner, Broken Empire, and local rising artists Reanimate, Our North, Dead Demons and Ocean Thieves. With the 2025 event coming close to selling out, the festival’s mission was clear from the outset: bring together established touring bands and emerging talent from across the UK while delivering an uncompromising live experience for fans.
Now, Novacaine Festival returns on Saturday 28 November 2026, raising the bar once again.
Headlining the event are post-hardcore heavyweights As Everything Unfolds. The band released their third studio album Did You Ask To Be Set Free earlier this year and continue to build momentum across the alternative scene, with major festival appearances already scheduled including Download Festival.
Joining them as sub-headliners are Tropic Gold, whose explosive rock ’n’ roll energy and rapidly growing fanbase make them a powerful addition to the bill.
Elsewhere, TheCityIsOurs and FOXHAUNT add further weight to the line-up, reinforcing Novacaine’s commitment to pairing established names with ambitious rising artists ready for bigger stages.
More acts will be announced in the coming months.
With strong momentum behind it, Novacaine Festival is quickly proving it is far more than a one-off success story — and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be its biggest yet.
Event organiser Scott O’Shea said:
“First, thank you to everyone who helped turn my dream of launching a music festival into a reality. Our debut show was an incredible night, and the support we’ve seen throughout 2026 has been beyond anything I imagined. None of this would have been possible without the bands, Corporation, and most importantly the fans who showed up and supported the event.
2026 will be the biggest show I’ve put together so far. The aim is not just to grow the festival but to keep creating opportunities for rising artists while giving something back to the community that helped build this. One of our biggest supporters last year was our 2025 compere, Robert Fulton-Hamilton. Rob brought huge energy to the night, introducing every band and conducting interviews throughout the event. Those interviews will feature in upcoming magazine releases, and I’m delighted he’ll be returning in 2026 as our official compere with RJFH Music.”
Tickets
Early Bird Wave 1 tickets are available now for £25, offering exceptional value for the line-up. Go to www.novacaine.co.uk/tickets. Fans can also access 3- and 5-month payment plans, available exclusively through ticketing partner Skiddle.
Partners & Sponsors
Novacaine Festival has also confirmed a strong roster of partners for 2026. For the first time, Skiddle joins as an official sponsor and exclusive ticketing partner, while tickets will also be available directly through The Corporation’s website for standard purchases.
The event returns to The Corporation, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, marking a major milestone for one of the UK’s most established independent live music venues.
Returning sponsors include SaN PR, who have worked alongside Novacaine LTD since 2019, continuing their role in supporting emerging artists and expanding the festival’s media reach.
Official photography will again be handled by Start The Penguin Photography and Mason D Jones, while festival media coverage will come from FestPod, with additional support from The Razors Edge.
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