Two days, multiple stages, and a lineup that perfectly captured the past, present, and future of alternative music. Takedown Festival 2026 didn’t just meet expectations; it completely raised the bar.
Across both days, Portsmouth Guildhall became a hub of energy, nostalgia, and discovery, showcasing a brilliant mix of established names and rising UK talent, and proving once again why Takedown remains one of the most vital fixtures in the alternative music calendar.
Friday – Tribute and intensity
There was a tangible sense of someone missing from Friday’s lineup. With the tragic passing of Phil Campbell, festival organisers Kai and Sarah arranged a heartfelt tribute befitting the Motörhead guitarist. At 8pm, the whole venue erupted in a minute of pure noise, a powerful gesture of respect from fans and performers alike. Two giant boards featuring Phil’s photo and the Motörhead logo gave attendees a place to leave condolences and memories for his family. Despite the sadness, the day felt celebratory rather than sombre, with the Kerrang! Stage temporarily renamed the Phil Campbell Stage.
The music kicked off with The Fear, whose raw, urgent set immediately drew the crowd in. Devere followed with a confident and polished performance, while Asomvel delivered loud, relentless rock that hit hard and fit the day’s tribute-laden atmosphere perfectly.
Veterans Therapy? reminded everyone why they’ve endured, delivering a sharp, intense set that balanced nostalgia with the energy only decades of experience can bring. Closing out Friday for me was InMe, who gave a standout performance, playing White Butterfly in full. A moving, emotional set that perfectly combined heaviness and melody.
Zetra
Saturday – Rising stars shine
Saturday leaned into the festival’s future, with emerging talent taking centre stage. Waterlines opened with infectious energy, quickly followed by Slackrr, whose pop-punk hooks and high-octane performance kept the crowd buzzing.
Slackrr
Having impressed on the smaller stage last year, Lastelle proved why they are ones to watch, taking over the Kerrang! Stage with an emotionally charged, commanding set that drew the crowd in completely. Mouth Culture maintained momentum with confident, swagger-filled alt-rock, and The Hara delivered a powerhouse performance with magnetic stage presence. Including a circle pit with the guitarist leading the way on the middle.
The Hara
Lastelle
As It Is was one of my personal highlights, balancing nostalgic hits with a refreshed energy that demonstrated their growth as a band. Playing some of their extensive back catalogue with The Fire, The Dark and Stigma alongside some of their new songs Lose Your Way & Find Yourself and Marilyn. Which was the first time this has been played live.
Wargasm brought chaos in the best way, blending electronic elements with punk attitude to deliver one of the weekend’s most explosive sets.
As It Is & Wargasm
President closed the festival with another standout moment, despite the photo pit being closed, watching their set from the back of the venue allowed for a completely different perspective, taking in the full scale, atmosphere, and connection with the crowd. It turned into one of the most immersive experiences of the weekend and a fitting end to the festival.
Final Thoughts
Takedown Festival 2026 balanced homage and celebration, nostalgia and forward-looking energy. Highlights like the Phil Campbell tribute, InMe’s fullWhite Butterfly, and rising acts such as Lastelle made the festival feel both emotional and exhilarating.
Massive congratulations to Sarah and Kai Harris and the rest of the Takedown team for smashing this year’s festival. Special thanks to Jordan Bell from Turn The Page London, who did an amazing job looking after everyone, especially the 70+ photographers and media in attendance.
This year absolutely topped last year, seeing acts like As It Is, President, and Lastelle live made it unforgettable. I can’t wait to see how 2027 shapes up!
