Stonedead Festival 2026 – First Acts Announced

Stonedead Festival announces Headliner and Special Guest for 2026

As the dust settles on the glorious Stonedead Festival 2025 and so many happy memories of a great two days are still fresh in fans minds, tickets have been flying out in record time for next year’s festival and everyone at Stonedead Productions Ltd would like to say a huge “THANK YOU” to all who have helped support this passion project in becoming such a key event in thousands of rockers diaries. To show that appreciation, the team are eager to reveal some of the incredible bands booked and confirmed for the 2026 line-up.

Aptly, the fanfare starts with the band who’ve written one of the best globally known rock songs of the past four decades, Stonedead Festival 2026’s headliners; the mighty EUROPE.

Europe

Industry veterans, the Swedish quintet having been packing out arenas since starting, and more so since the anthem ‘The Final Countdown’ took them into the stratosphere upon its release in 1986. With their irresistible blend of melody and muscle, the band have continued to ride the wave and with eleven albums under their belt they remain a mighty force! Having grown from teenage friends in thrall to the giants of 1970’s hard rock and then onto sharing stages with their heroes all over the world.

Whilst the casual observer may know them mainly for their ubiquitous hit singles, it was very soon discovered just how heavy they are live and in the studio with a writer for Kerrang! remarking that it was “amazing just how hard they rocked” when he caught them on their The Final Countdown Tour at Hammersmith Odeon. Certainly, albums like ‘Start From The Dark’, ‘Secret Society’ and ‘Last Look at Eden’ bristled with ferocious riffs, earth shattering vocals and enough drive to destroy city blocks. With a career spanning set plucked from an endless line of bangers starting from their self-titled debut through to the critically acclaimed ‘Walk the Earth’ it’s going to be a night to remember and no better way to welcome Europe back to these shores.

Next up on the bill, it’s an honour to welcome the legendary Magnum, a band that means so much to so many.

 Magnum

Formed in Birmingham in the early 1970s, Magnum have become one of Britain’s most enduring melodic rock bands. With more than 20 studio albums, countless tours, and chart success across Europe, the band continue to inspire loyal fans worldwide with their distinctive blend of storytelling, power, and musicianship.

Not only have they been added to the 2026 Stonedead Festival line up, but the iconic British rock band are also set to release a brand-new studio album, a moving tribute to their late founding member and principal songwriter, Tony Clarkin. Every track on the upcoming album was written and performed by Tony, with the material carefully curated from the band’s archives by his daughter, Dionne Clarkin. The record also features previously unreleased material, offering fans a rare and intimate glimpse into Tony’s creative legacy. This special collection showcases his timeless gift for powerful, evocative storytelling – a hallmark of Magnum’s music for more than five decades. From their Gold-certified classic On A Storyteller’s Night to epic anthems like Don’t Wake the Lion, Tony’s songs have defined Magnum’s career and inspired generations of rock fans. The new release continues that legacy, ensuring his artistry will resonate with audiences for years to come. “Tony’s songs have always been the beating heart of Magnum,” says vocalist Bob Catley. “This album is a tribute to his incredible talent and a gift to our fans, who have supported us for over 50 years.” Magnum’s influence spans decades, having shared stages with Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, and Judas Priest. Their most recent release, Here Comes the Rain (2024), topped the UK Rock Chart at #1, reaffirming their status as one of Britain’s most enduring and respected rock acts.

In 2025, fans worldwide united for a moving two-hour tribute concert in Tony’s honour. Now, as the band look ahead, Brendon Riley joins Bob Catley, Rick Benton, Lee Morris, and Dennis Ward, stepping into the role of guitarist to carry Tony’s music into the future.

Magnum will bring their new material to the stage in 2026, reconnecting once again with audiences across the UK and beyond.

 Further special guests on the line-up are yet to be announced, watch this space.

The early evening and mid-afternoon slots for our 2026 event are yet to be revealed but in true Stonedead fashion, we will be mixing things up, and there will be something for everyone!

The Damn Truth

We are thrilled to confirm The Damn Truth will be joining the party next year. One of the hottest bands on the planet, Canada’s prime purveyors of sonic highs are in an unbreakable love affair with the UK, seemingly an almost constant fixture in tour announcements. Having proven themselves by trekking all over their own huge country, playing every bar and club possible, they became an instant and huge hit when they arrived this side of the Atlantic promoting their stellar ‘This Is Who We Are Now’ album. With a huge sound that blends together the soul of Janis Joplin and those heady psychedelic days with a huge crunch of big guitars, bass and drums influenced by the likes of Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, there’s more soul and power here than any ten of their contemporaries put together. Truly one of the best live acts on the planet, The Damn Truth will blow everyone away.

 Crobot

Joining the party and hailing all the way from Pottsville, Pennsylvania heavy hitting wrecking crew Crobot bring their own brand of groove-soaked hard rock to Stonedead. Since their emergence in 2011, the quartet have been doing things the hard way, their endless touring schedule and thrilling blasts of gravity defying hooks gained them an immediate and loyal following. Having played with the likes of Clutch, Motorhead, Anthrax and Black Label Society, Crobot have become known as an incendiary live act and with five studio albums to their credit, they’re now an unstoppable force who are bound to win a new legion of fans when they take to the stage in Newark next August.

Asomvel

Finishing up this first batch of acts announced, some bands are proved in the furnace of circumstances and Yorkshire quartet Asomvel are prime examples of the fighting spirit that won’t be quenched by adversity or trials. Having tragically lost their frontman just after their debut album ‘Kamikaze’ was released, the remaining members picked themselves up, recruited a new singer and pushed forward with their vision to bring metal to the masses. Raw, stripped back and primal, this is the sort of barroom rock and roll that focuses on sheer adrenaline, eschewing any unnecessary frills or posturing. What you see is what you get with Asomvel and having just laid waste to the UK whilst touring with Airbourne, the Harrogate boys will be bringing the thunder to Stonedead 2026 in loud and proud style.

 With so much more to come, there’s never been a better time to get on the waiting list for the SOLD OUT Stonedead Festival 2026

https://www.stonedeadfestival.co.uk/waitinglist/

NEWARK SHOWGROUND, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 2026

Stonedead 2026 is an outdoor, one day, one stage, monster of a festival where rock music reigns eternal. Stonedead is firmly placed on the rock festival map and places the rock fan experience at its core. Come and see it for yourself!

Stonedead aims to excite both classic and new rock fans in providing a unique one day, one stage festival where the music is the focus, the beer and food are priced competitively and you can camp / park 5 minutes from the level ground arena.

The festival is solely organised by volunteers and created for music fans,

? Free signing tent brought to you in conjunction with Planet Rock Radio
? Dedicated covered wellbeing area with seating and sun cream!
? Bring alcohol into the arena – 4 cans of ready mixed spirits, beer / cider
? Large free car parking
? Included with camping ticket purchase is exclusive access to the Friday night party

Facebook: Stonedead Festival
Instagram: stonedead_fest
Twitter: stonedead_fest
Youtube: SDTV – Stone Dead Festival
Website: www.stonedeadfestival.co.uk

Oure review from 2025 is here: 

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