🤘28th–31st May 2026 • Lincolnshire Showground • Lincoln
Right then, butt… Call of the Wild Festival have only gone and dropped their full 2026 line-up, and we’re not being funny — it’s an absolute RIFF FEAST. 🐺⚡
Six years in, and COTW has cemented itself as the UK’s champion of new blood, cult heroes, and the kind of bands who turn up sweating, screaming, shredding, and leaving your spine in a different postcode. This year? They’ve decided subtlety is for cowards.
The Riff Report has smashed through every stage, every name, and every delicious detail — so strap in, grab a pint, and let’s dive into a weekend so heavy it should come with a chiropractor on standby.
🐺🔥 FRIDAY – FLORENCE BLACK’S HOMECOMING OF CHAOS
Headliner: Florence Black
Let’s be honest — nobody kicks off a festival like Merthyr’s finest riff merchants. Florence Black are headlining Friday, and if you’ve seen them any time since 2019, you’ll know they bring riffs thicker than the fog on the Brecon Beacons. “Sun & Moon” live? That’s a spiritual experience. “Bird on a Chain”? Expect half the field to lift off.
This is a proper Welsh takeover, mun, and it’s lush to see.
Also smashing the Friday stage:
- Glamour of the Kill – 2010s metalcore heroes staging a triumphant return.
- Chloe Driscol’s Experiment – rising talent with an experimental edge.
- Ratchet Dolls – punk attitude meets sleazy riffs.
- Marbled – bringing the melodic crunch.
- Trailblazer Winner – new talent, big energy, dangerously addictive riffs.
Friday at COTW has one rule: turn up loud, leave louder.
⚔️🔥 SATURDAY – THRASH ARMAGEDDON WITH ONSLAUGHT
Headliner: Onslaught
Onslaught aren’t just playing the Saturday slot — they’re likely going to burn it to the ground. Thrash doesn’t get much purer, faster, nastier, or more British than these legends. Expect pits forming faster than you can say “C’mon butt!”
The Heavy Hitters Lining Up Behind Them:
- The Five Hundred – groove metal with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
- Star Circus – glam swagger, big hooks, and a live confidence that belongs on a Vegas strip.
- King Kraken – Wales rises again! One of the fastest-growing heavy acts in the UK.
- Cabalist – blackened death metal intensity.
- Pyroclast – volcanic riffs guaranteed.
- Apriori & The Soul Revival – melodic depth, technical vibes, and atmosphere for days.
Saturday is not a day. It’s a test of mortality.
🎸🌙 SUNDAY – VON HERTZEN BROTHERS BRING THE EPIC FINALE
Headliner: Von Hertzen Brothers
The Finnish prog giants are closing the festival with soaring vocal layers, huge emotional weight, and musicianship so tight it’ll make you rethink every life choice. It’s the perfect cool-down finale — if your idea of “cool-down” is being emotionally wrecked by harmonies.
Sunday’s Support Acts Include:
- Chez Kane – the Welsh melodic rock superstar with vocals strong enough to shatter the Lincolnshire sky.
- Silveroller – bluesy, swagger-heavy rock ’n’ roll.
- Hearts & Hand Grenades – punchy modern rock with attitude.
- Apriori (their second appearance — stamina on show!)
- The Soul Revival – soulful, catchy, and festival-perfect.
Sunday is all about atmosphere, anthems, and one last massive singalong.
🎪🔥 OTHER STAGES: MULTIPLE LEVELS OF MAYHEM
Southall Lawless Stage
The rogue’s gallery of riff-wielding lunatics:
- Wolfsbane (chaos guaranteed, Bruce Dickinson would approve)
- Sisters Doll
- Ransom
- Catalysis
- Tomorrow’s Fate
- Hell’s Addiction
- Wicked Smile
If you accidentally wander here, you’ll lose your voice and gain three new favourite bands.
Trailblazer Stage
The future of rock lives here — loud, raw, and hungry:
- Solo Dukes
- Red Helen
- Marc Valentine
- Wildcard Acts Yet to Be Announced
- Surprise Guest 👀
- More new blood ready to rip your eyebrows off
If you love discovering your next obsession, park yourself at this stage.
🍺🔥 THURSDAY WARM-UP PARTY
Because Call of the Wild doesn’t believe in gentle introductions:
- The Needful Things
- This House We Built
Expect sweaty singalongs, pints spilling everywhere, and the unofficial start of the madness.
🐺🎸 WHY CALL OF THE WILD 2026 IS AN ABSOLUTE MONSTER
- One of the strongest lineups they’ve ever delivered
- Welsh bands absolutely stealing the show
- A proper mix of metal, glam, sleaze, prog, and hard rock
- A festival that genuinely supports rising bands
- Great value for money
- One of the friendliest festival atmospheres in the UK
COTW isn’t trying to be the biggest festival. They’re trying to be the best for fans who love riffs, community, and sweaty, glorious chaos. And they’re smashing it.
🤘🐺 SEE YOU AT LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND, MUN!
28th–31st May 2026 • Call of the Wild Festival
Pack the boots.
Pack the waterproofs.
Pack the paracetamol.
This is going to be a PROPER JOB weekend. 🔥🤘🔥
