First wave of music acts announced for Stendhal 2026

The first part of the musical line-up for the 16th edition of the multi-award winning Stendhal Festival has been announced, and festival goers once again have a plethora of sonic experiences to discover at Ballymully Cottage Farm near Limavady this July 2-4.

From hugely popular acts who fill some of the biggest venues in Northern Ireland, to legends, homegrown heroes and brand new break through artists, Stendhal will boast a multitude of different performances, covering numerous genres and styles.

Headlining on Saturday, July 4 are a band whose live shows have been described by Noel Gallagher as akin to a “religious experience”, ‘Britpop’ legends, Cast.

Formed in 1992 Cast have become one of the most celebrated “Britpop” bands in the UK with ten top 10 singles and multiple top ten selling albums.

Their debut record, “All Change” became the biggest selling debut album of all time for Polydor Records. Shooting to number 7 in the UK charts, the album was a double platinum hit featuring singles like ‘Sandstorm’, ‘Walkaway’ and ‘Flying’. The band went on to release three more albums – Mother Nature Calls in 1997, Magic Hour in 1999 and Beetroot in 2001 before disbanding for a decade.

They returned in 2012, to work with their original producer John Leckie (The Verve, Stone Roses, Radiohead, The Fall) for their fifth album ‘Troubled Times’.

Since then, the band have remained a highly regarded live act, particularly in the festival arena where their sets are full of well known “Britpop” anthems. 

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Last year the band supported Oasis on the Gallagher brother’s huge reunion tour and reminded the hundreds of thousands of people who attended of the huge impact they have made on British music.

Headlining on Friday July 3rd are one of the most popular live acts in Ireland today, in The Tumbling Paddies.

The Paddies blend together traditional, country and rock music to create a party atmosphere performance every time they take to the stage.

And in the past year they have played to sellout crowds all over the country, including an incredible Christmas show at the Ulster Hall and later this year, as their stock continues to rise, will see them headline another highly anticipated show at the Ulster Hall in Belfast and the 3 Olympia Arena in Dublin.  

If legends of the history of Irish Rock Music are your thing, then The Eric Bell Trio will be a must see this year. Eric Bell is one of Ireland’s most legendary guitarists and founding member of Thin Lizzy. He played on the band’s first three albums and co-wrote hits like ‘The Rocker & “Whiskey in the Jar’. In 2024, he received the NI Music Legend’s Award for his contributions to music.

Robert Arkins Commitments is a celebration of all the amazing music that features in the classic Irish Movie, The Commitments, performed live on Stage by the man who played the wily Jimmy Rabitte and a cast of amazing musicians.

Fresh from their recent NME Cover story, Belfast industrial noise/techno hybrid soundscape merchants, Chalk, return to Stendhal for what we hope will be one of their largest Northern Irish gigs to date.

Huartan continue to turn heads as a spellbinding trio who have manifested perhaps the most original and contemporary melding of Irish traditional music and electronica ever imagined.

DJ Yoda is an iconic cut and paste and scratch DJ, who reinvents the genre at the drop of a hat, while Mad Professor is a Dub legend who has crafted some amazing cult records.

Mary Coughlan is one of Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singers, celebrated for her soulful voice, emotional depth and powerful stage presence. Over 4 decades, she has blended blues, jazz, Irish traditions and cabaret with raw honesty and empathy.

No strangers to Stendhal, the award-winning Kíla are heralded as one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. Their unique sound has been ever evolving, rooted in tradition, yet inspired by a myriad of influences and ideas from all around the world.

Johnny Gallagher and the Boxty Band is fronted by a man who stands among Europe’s most accomplished and electrifying guitarists. Whether he’s channeling groovy swing, boogie-woogie rhythms, or raw Rock ’n’ Roll fire all touched by the Blues, Johnny Gallagher delivers an experience that’s pure, authentic, and unforgettable.

The first batch of the very best of Northen Irish indigenous acts include; Annas Number, a band who have previously sold out shows in the Ulster and Mandela Halls, Alana Henderson, Matt Benson, Fya Fox, Beauty Sleep, Sophie French, Rick Swann, Tanaka VII,  Callum Norris, The Skallions, NI Opera, The Causeway Shantymen, Fusa, Tyler Lally, John Mullan, Explosion Sound System, Susi Pagel, :Panic :Over, Proton Pool Party, Batsey and the Deadly Rhythms, Mr. Pink, Aine Gordon, DEOCH and Mandolin Muse.

As ever, there are plenty of fresh acts from the Republic of Ireland too which this year include; Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets, Niamh Noade, Pastiche, The Last Vinci, BLÁNID, Sonny Casey, Lara Fitzsimons, Lazember, Kevin Quigley and the Great Ideas and  Lōwli.

There are also some overseas surprises on the bill this year like French act Ataya who crafts organic trance music with jaw harps, voice and foot percussion.

Festival Director Ross Parkhill said: “We are really happy with how the first part of the line-up has come together for 2026. As usual we have loads of acts at different levels, from different genres and different places, who we believe will come together to provide an epic soundtrack to Stendhal this July.”

Ross added: “It remains an incredibly difficult time for everyone in the Independent festival sector and as it looks like we are going to be living in an uncertain world for a while now in terms of cost of living. We have tried to put together, not only as varied a line-up as possible, but one that ensures that anyone who buys a Stendhal ticket will get the best value for money festival possible.

“With that in mind, everyone at Stendhal would like to thank The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their continued support”.

Ross concluded: “We have more announcements to make in the coming weeks, including our comedy, family and art line ups, so stay tuned for more to come and we hope to see you in the fields this July.”

For more information visit Stendhal Festival