Monday evening was a buzz for festival-goers. Tramlines, Truck and Y Not all unveiled the first wave of the 2026 lineups at around 6pm. Queue in a quasi-clinical analysis of each line up, comparing headliners as well as undercard acts because, in a year when there is no Glastonbury, this seems to matter even more.
Some acts overlap, as usual, but as the dust settles, and we await announcements from other medium-sized festivals, Y Not is on route to becoming the most sought-after ticket for summer 2026.
The headliners are legends. The Libertines will headline Thursday. The indie veterans rose to prominence with their unique blend of raw garage rock and poetic lyrics and became a seminal force in the British music scene.
The Reytons have been featured on the lineup 5 times already. They reached for a more varied, dynamic sound on their 2023 album What’s Rock And Roll?, which landed at Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Two Door Cinema Club are back seemingly everywhere next summer, with their guitar-driven post-punk hooks mixed with dancey, electronic polish. The northern Irish band first gained attention with 2010’s Tourist History, which they’ll be playing at Y Not, alongside their greatest hits.
Finally The Streets are set to close Y Not on Sunday 2nd of August, promising an unforgettable close to the festival weekend. The Streets captured the voice of a generation with their landmark 2004 album A Grand Don’t Come For Free. Two decades on, their raw energy and nostalgic euphoria continue to captivate, ensuring an electric performance.
The variety of the so-called undercard acts are what are making Y Not especially attractive. Acts such as The Clause, who are rising rapidly in the indie-rock scene and whose energetic sound has been described as a blend of ’60s swagger, ’80s groove and ’90s attitude. Their debut album Victim Of A Casual Thing is worth listening to.
Keo are also on the Y Not ticket. They bridge the gap between 90’s grunge, shoegaze and alternative rock. You can hear the influence of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead and The Smashing Pumpkins on their work, and they have also taken further inspiration coming from contemporary acts such as Wunderhorse and Fontaines D.C.
Overpass, a four-piece band from Birmingham, are known for their energetic, guitar-driven anthems, strong melodies, and engaging live performances. Their sound has previously been compared to Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Sea Girls and Inhaler.
Pale Waves, in all their Smitten glory, will also be gracing the Y Not peaks next summer. They are one of the most hard-working bands out there right now. The Manchester indie-pop quartet mix synth-pop, goth-pop and pop-punk. They cite The Cure, Prince, Madonna and The Cranberries as major influences, and you can hear this in Heather Baron-Gracie’s vocals.
We are aware we have skipped other acts worth mentioning but you get the picture. This is a well-put-together lineup which will leave music fans wanting for nothing. The vibe is 2000s old-school indie as well as hip-hop/grime, while also leaving room for newer artists.
Pre-sale tickets go on sale on November 28th at 10AM.
Full Line Up Y Not Festival 2026
