The baby sibling to the more established festivals in Manchester and Edinburgh, Brighton Psych Fest has announced its 2026 line up. Headliners are the resurgent squelchy kraut rockers Stereolab who have been playing to larger and larger sell out audiences since their reformation. 2025’s ‘Instant Holograms On Metal Film’ featured in most end of year lists cementing their status as a going concern, way beyond comeback nostalgia. Expect the Concorde to be rammed for their set.
Joining them are Tropicalia infused melodic Californians Allah-Las, the former Brighton resident Gwenno with her stunning songs primarily sung in Welsh and Cornish and the Sub Pop signed psych chanteuse Lael Neale who released the beautiful Altogether Stranger in 2025 and the heavy chaotic force from Bristol; Knives who caught the attention of many right thinking Brighton folk when they supported DITZ at Chalk last year and a welcome return to these shores from west coast classic Garage rockers The Mystery Lights whose 2024 album Purgatory which harks back to the classic sound of bands like the Electric Prunes, drew repeated listens from this writer’s ears.
The local scene is represented the buzz band of the moment Lemonsucker and their infectious brit pop, shoegazers Swallowtail, the incredible Cordelia Gartside and masked Cowboy; Milo Korbenski.
As ever it promises to be delightful and interesting day, and will undoutedly provoke lots of debates about what constitutes Psych or Psychedelic music.
Joy Presents: Brighton Psych Fest 2026
Various venues: Friday 4th September 2026
Tickets available here
