Independent music festivals can’t survive on social media traction and good intentions alone, they survive and grow because people actually buy the tickets, turn up early and give the band they’ve never heard of before a chance. At a point where grassroots venues and smaller promoters are constantly being pushed out of the space, events like Palooza ‘26 is how you make sure there’s still a place for tomorrow’s breakout bands to become somebody’s favourite band today. Whereas the bigger festivals seem to get more expensive every year, Palooza ‘26 is keeping things genuinely accessible with a pay-what-you-can option for tickets, no major sponsors and a community first approach that’s rare to find these days. They’re also not gatekeeping for others in the industry; I myself have been welcomed to join the festival, no fee, no side eye, just excitement for a collaboration.
Taking over Sheffield’s Sidney & Matilda this coming Saturday, Forever A Phase are putting 12 up-and-coming bands across two stages with no clashes, meaning there’s no waiting in the smoking area for the next band, they’re just on. The lineup has been curated from hundreds of underground submissions turning the festival into less of a greatest-hits deal, and more into a loud argument for paying attention to what’s happening beneath the surface of alternative music in the UK right now.
It’s worth applauding the fact that Palooza ‘26 doesn’t just look like a lads group chat; both stages have strong mixed-gender representation instead of treating women like a token booking. It shouldn’t feel as refreshing as it does in 2026, but here we are.
Check out all the bands on the lineup below along with times and stages:
Riot Weekend – Amplify Stage – 2:40pm:
Kicking off Palooza ‘26 are Guilford based Riot Weekend with their energetic pop-punk sound, huge choruses, they’re here to start the festival with a bang. Get to know them beforehand through their EP, Table4Four and latest single, Smile.
Mustard Mitt – Reckless Stage – 3:15pm:
Sheffield locals Mustard Mitt open the Reckless stage with killer riffs, catchy hooks and meaty breakdowns in a strong Yorkshire voice with spoken word ripples thrown in for good measure. Get to know them with brilliantly titled singles, I’m Probably A Bit Sad, but It’ll Probably Be Alright, Probably and He Can’t Help Being Allergic To Bread, Shannon!
noiseless. – Amplify Stage – 3:50pm:
Combining post-hardcore with sprinkles of modern pop and EDM, along with very little concern for their own personal safety in pursuit of putting on the best show possible, Manchester based noiseless. hit the stage with big riffs, bigger choruses and a questionable amount of mullets. With only four singles released so far including it’s like he has an agreement with gravity, expect a wild show from these guys.
Change Persona. – Reckless Stage – 4:25pm:
Off the back of playing Bloodstock ‘26 Change Persona are Surrey’s answer to the question; what would happen if Billy Talent and Rise Against had a baby and raised it in South London? Check out their 2024 album, Perfect Fake World.
Wide Awake Club – Amplify Stage – 5:00pm:
Describing themselves as a boy band with breakdowns, Wide Awake Club smash pop punk, alt pop with electronic production, building big choruses with enough heaviness underneath to stop everything getting way too shiny. Get to know them through their latest single, Milky Way.
Northbound & Down – Reckless Stage – 5:35pm:
Having supported the likes of The Summer Set, Northbound & Down have earned their pop-punk stipes, building a following on catchy choruses and big nostalgic vibes that remind you of seeing bands at your hometown dive venue. Now they’re here to show Palooza exactly what a group of lads from Halifax can bring to the table. Check out their 2024 album, What’s It Like In Paradise?
Beach Front – Amplify Stage – 6:10pm:
It’s time to dig out the knee-high converse, heavy eyeliner and backcombed hair because Birmingham’s Beach Front are bringing back that early 2000’s emo sound, complete with the kind of lyrics that would’ve haunted your MSN away message. Listen to their latest single, Lucile.
Tired of Fighting – Reckless Stage – 7:10pm:
Newcastle’s Tired Of Fighting pull from the messier end of early 2000’s emo, mixing raw vocals, punchy guitars and enough nervous energy to make standing still feel suspicious. Having shared stages with the likes of Mallory Knox, Trach Boat and Heriot, they’ve built a reputation as one of the North East’s louder exports. Released in May, their album And Suddenly It Hits You is a pretty convincing reason to get familiar before they hit the stage.
Stay Safe – Amplify Stage – 7:45pm:
Impressively, Manchester’s Stay Safe have forged a name for themselves in the pop-punk scene, supporting 2000s emo legends, Elliot Minor on their comeback tour last year along. They arrive at Palooza with the kind of live energy that suggests standing polity in the back isn’t the move. Mixing the classic emo sound of UK’s 2000s scene with thick riffs and heavy breakdowns, get to know them with their latest single CATASTROPHE and their album, Late Nights & Long Drives.
Chasing The Fall – Reckless Stage – 8:20pm:
Personally Liverpool’s Chasing The Fall are my MUST SEE act of the whole festival, they’re exactly the sort of band you want on a festival like this; massive pop-punk choruses, stupid amounts of energy and enough early 2000s nostalgia to scratch that itch. Having opened for Skindred’s 2025 tour, they’ve already proven that they can hold their own on a bigger stage; Palooza feels like the perfect place to catch them before those stages get even bigger. Their new EP, Long Story Short, lands October 16th, check back here for my track-by-track review Friday, in the meantime, check out fan favourite, Black & Blue.
WNSDY AT 7 – Amplify Stage – 8:55pm:
With their big, bright, unapologetically catchy pop-punk choruses built to be sang back to them, Sheffield’s own Wnsdy At 7 to get the festival dancing. With BBC introducing support and plenty of live miles behind them already, they’re the kind of band Palooza should be putting in front of you before they break out. Give their latest single, Love Songs a listen.
X2 Fast – Reckless – 9:45pm:
Last but absolutely not least are our final local band and closer, Sheffield’s X2 Fast, one of the easiest recommendations on this line-up as I’ve seen them win over crowds every time I’ve caught them live. Taking on the 2010s pop-punk sound and mixing it with the sugary punch of 2000s legends like McFly and Busted, they pair huge pop hooks with just enough of a heavier edge to stop them sounding too polished; pretty much the perfect band to close out Palooza. Get to know them more through their latest single, Save You and EP, For The Better.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: Forever A Phase presents Palooza ‘26
Date: Saturday 17th October 2026
Venue: Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
Format: Two Stages | 12 Bands | No Clashes
Tickets: https://www.fatsoma.com/e/zzbhnsdz/forever-a-phase-presents-palooza-26
Price: Pay What You Can