After this year’s Neighbourhood Weekender, I said that I’d probably have to wait until the stage splits are announced before I commit to going in 2026. But has the first wave announcement changed my mind at all?
First things first, I’m made up for Blossoms finally getting the chance to headline on Sunday. They were previously billed as joint headliners with Kasabian back in 2022 but this was just a glorified sub-headline slot, so it’s great to see a band that I believe to be ‘one of the best live acts in the UK’ get their moment in 2026.
Richard Ashcroft returns to headline on the Saturday, having previously headlined in 2019 (which also happens to be the only year I didn’t attend). He supported Oasis brilliantly in the summer and has already sold out some huge arenas next year, so it’s difficult to argue against that decision either.
The second line of the poster is usually reserved for sub-headliners and the Big Top headliners and it’s certainly an interesting mix of acts.
DMA’s will presumably sub-headline Blossoms and a dusk slot seems perfect for them, as they celebrate 10 years since their brilliant debut album Hills End.
Kaiser Chiefs are making their Neighbourhood debut on Saturday and with their catalogue of hits should be able to pack out whichever stage they end up on.
I’m a little surprised to see The K’s so high up having last seen them here when they opened the main stage a few years ago, but they always seem to put on a decent show and they’ve just sold out Castlefield Bowl so are clearly doing something right.
I can only assume that Jamie Webster will headline The Big Top, while Blossoms headline the main stage. I’ll be honest, I’m not his biggest fan so I won’t be losing any sleep about that particular clash if that is the case.
As is usually the case, there’s some interesting stuff to be found if you delve a little deeper into the line-up.
Nostalgia acts and returning favourites
Example and Sophie Ellis Bextor both feel like really fun bookings, with the latter making her first Neighbourhood appearance. Both could easily draw a big daytime crowd to the main stage or pack out the tent at night for those who might not appreciate Richard Ashcroft’s dulcet tones. In a similar vein is Melanie C and I for one would absolutely love to belt out ‘I Turn To You’ in the sunshine, Dark Fruits in hand.
The event is sponsored by Absolute Radio, so it’s also not surprising to see the likes of Cast, Shed Seven, Razorlight and The Fratellis all return.
The Royston Club seem to pretty much have a residency at Neighbourhood – this will be their fourth appearance in a row – but there’s absolutely no complaints from me on that front. I just hope they get longer than the 30 minutes they got this year.
Another act returning from this year’s festival is Luvcat and I’m fairly confident she won’t be on the Viola Beach stage this time round, nor will the brilliant Arkayla, who I’m very excited to see again.
Keo were a really late addition to the line-up in 2025 and they clashed with The Royston Club so I missed their set but I’m hearing good things about them, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can live up to the considerable hype.
A few others from further down the poster that I’ll be keeping my eye on are Alessi Rose, Brooke Combe, Esme Emerson, Keyside and Westside Cowboy.
There is plenty to love about the line-up but I still feel as if I need to see how it’s all going to shake out in terms of scheduling before I commit to buying a ticket.
That being said, I’ve watched Blossoms play all sorts of venues so I don’t really want to miss them headlining one of my favourite festivals… So see you next May, yeah?
Tickets for Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 are on sale now via www.nbhdweekender.com and www.gigsandtours.com.