WUNDERHORSE ANNOUNCED AS SATURDAY HEADLINERS FOR ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS SHEFFIELD 2026
- Desh Kapur
- 35 minutes ago
- 3 min read
28-30th August
Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield
WUNDERHORSE ANNOUNCED AS SATURDAY
HEADLINERS FOR ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS
SHEFFIELD 2026
BAXTER DURY CONFIRMED AS MAIN SUPPORT
Mercury Award winners English Teacher and
Fat Dog join the bill with more to be announced
Rock N Roll Circus has confirmed Wunderhorse as Saturday headliners for its 2026 Sheffield edition, marking another statement show for the festival hot on the heels of Queens of the Stone Age’s only outdoor UK headline performance in 2025.
The performance will be one of only two outdoor UK shows by the band this year, and the only one taking place outside London, making it a significant coup for the award-winning festival and for audiences across the North.
The announcement completes a formidable trio of headliners for Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield, alongside The Streets and Richard Ashcroft, and further underlines the festival’s reputation for bold, forward-thinking programming.
Wunderhorse will headline Saturday 29 August 2026, with Baxter Dury confirmed as main support, with British rock group and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher and the much loved London indie group Fat Dog also confirmed.
Led by songwriter and frontman Jacob Slater, Wunderhorse have seen their popularity snowball the old-fashioned way, winning fans through visceral live performances and vivid, emotionally charged songwriting. Rolling Stone UK hailed 2024 as “the arrival of a band that could become generational” following the release of their acclaimed second album Midas.
Recorded at Minnesota’s legendary Pachyderm Studio - the birthplace of Nirvana’s In Utero and PJ Harvey’s Rid Of Me - Midas was produced by Craig Silvey and followed their celebrated 2022 debut Cub. Capturing the raw intensity of the band’s live shows, the album has since turned silver and cemented Wunderhorse as one of the most exciting forces in contemporary British guitar music.
Since its release, the band have played their biggest headline shows to date, won The Group Award at the 2025 Rolling Stone UK Awards (seeing off the likes of Oasis, Prodigy, Nova Twins and The Royston Club), and continued to build momentum through relentless touring and word-of-mouth acclaim.
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said: “Wunderhorse are one of the most exciting British bands to emerge in recent years, and bringing one of their only outdoor UK shows to Sheffield feels incredibly significant.
We are huge fans of the band and tried really hard to get them over the line. We’re also super excited about the line-up. Our programming has always been about championing artists who are shaping the future of live music and giving audiences outside of London access to truly special shows.”
Joining Wunderhorse on Saturday night is Baxter Dury, whose unmistakable spoken-word delivery, sharp social observation and effortlessly cool stage presence have earned him a singular place in British music. Across a career spanning more than two decades, Dury has received widespread critical acclaim for albums including Prince of Tears, The Night Chancers and 2023’s I Thought I Was Better Than You. His live performances are renowned for their atmosphere, wit and intimacy, making him a compelling addition to the Saturday bill.
Rock N Roll Circus offers far more than a traditional festival experience. Alongside world-class live music, audiences can expect immersive circus performances throughout the site, from aerialists and acrobats to fire performers and theatrical pop-up moments. The main stage is housed inside the festival’s iconic big top, creating an intimate, high-energy atmosphere while ensuring shows go ahead whatever the weather.
VIP upgrades are also available, offering fast-track entry, exclusive viewing areas, private bars, premium food options, dedicated seating and luxury facilities - designed to enhance comfort while retaining the spirit of the festival.
The full Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026 headline programme now sees The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on Friday, Wunderhorse headlining Saturday, and Richard Ashcroft closing the weekend on Sunday, supported by The Fratellis and Cast. Together, the line-up reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating both iconic British artists and contemporary acts shaping the future of guitar music.
Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield returns to Don Valley Bowl from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026.
Presale: Wednesday 4 February
General Sale: Friday 6 February
Venue: Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield
Tickets & info: rocknrollcircus.co.uk