Portsmouth’s much-loved grassroots festival Night Currents Festival returns on Saturday 3 October 2026, bringing another full day of alternative, indie and pop-rock to the city. Now entering its fourth year, the event will once again take over the city’s iconic venue The Wedgewood Rooms and its neighbouring sister space The Edge of the Wedge, with 12 artists performing across two stages, and crucially, zero clashes.
The festival has today unveiled the first wave of its 2026 line-up, led by Brighton alt-pop favourites Lime Garden, who will headline the event. Also announced in the initial drop are Prima Queen, ARXX, My First Time, Ain’t, and Crysometimes, with more acts still to come in the months ahead.
Brighton four-piece Lime Garden feel like a natural fit for the Night Currents headline slot. The band are currently building momentum ahead of their anticipated second album, Maybe Not Tonight, due this April. Their playful yet sharp “wonky” alt-pop has evolved since their 2024 debut One More Thing, leaning further into darker indie-sleaze textures while retaining the bouncy basslines, looping synths and quarter-life anxieties that have become their signature.
Elsewhere in the first announcement, harmony-rich duo Prima Queen arrive fresh from the release of their 2025 debut The Prize, bringing their jangly indie-pop and big-hearted songwriting back to the South Coast. Brighton queer power-pop duo ARXX will also make a welcome return after delivering one of the standout sets of the 2024 edition, with new material expected in 2026.
While some familiar faces are returning, several acts will be making their Portsmouth debut. Bristol quartet My First Time bring a biting blend of indie-sleaze and tongue-in-cheek electro-punk, while South London five-piece Ain’t stitch together ‘90s grunge, post-punk and expansive indie rock textures. Completing the first wave are Brighton trio Crysometimes, whose glossy alt-pop has been gaining attention following a recent tour supporting rising indie-pop artist Chloe Slater.
Since launching, Night Currents has built a reputation for spotlighting some of the UK’s most exciting emerging talent. Previous editions have featured Coach Party, Courting, Swim School, Honeyglaze, Aziya, L’Objectif, Gengahr, and Home Counties.
One of the festival’s defining features remains its no-clash format. Artists alternate between the two connected venues, meaning fans can catch every set across the day.
“We think this is our biggest and
Night Currents co-founder Chloe Robbins
best line-up yet!”
“We’ve been dreaming of having Lime Garden on the bill since we first started the festival, and their recent singles have blown us away. It’s been hard keeping the line-up a secret, so we can’t wait to finally talk about it.”
Presented by Portsmouth promoters ABH Promotions, Night Currents is a one-day indoor festival celebrating the best in emerging alternative music. The event is supported by Southsea Sound, Fightback Lager, and local pizza and pie restaurant Piecaramba.
Early bird tickets for the 2026 edition have already sold out. General admission tickets are on sale now for £27 plus fees, with additional artists set to be announced soon.
