DesertFest London Announces Epic Lineup for 2026

Did I wake up expecting to see Clutch, THE Clutch, Clutch of all bands, Clutch who I have had on relentless repeat since I was a wee lass, headlining DesertFest London, the yearly Mecca of all things doom and psych and desert rock? No, believe it or not, I did not expect that, but I’ll tell you what, we’re in for some heavy moshing, my friends. Catch me in the pit if you can, this will be one DesertFest for the books.

Let me list for you some of the incredible bands I am personally hyped for.

Blackwater Holylight don’t get to cross the Atlantic nearly enough as they deserve, as their dreamy psychedelic rock blend would get everyone from Paris to Athens moving. Having discovered them through All Them Witches (they toured together back in 2022), they bring the witchiness and smouldering darkness of the Louisiana blackwater through every riff and bass groove. It is an added bonus to see an all-female band so high up on this lineup.

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs are one of those bands I know mostly by reputation, but every live recording promises their set to cause spontaneous combustion in at least one amp, if not the whole room. Their sound is huge and their energy makes Red Bull taste like tap water. Just as heavy hitting are Nashville’s Howling Giant, with their almost fantasy world power rock harmonies, heart-pumping double bass and the kind of riffs made for moshpits.

I’ve been a fan of Causa Sui since I spotted them on the Sonic Blast lineup last year (and sadly couldn’t attend) and at the time, their laid back, patient layering of sound carefully cooled the fried synapses of my brain. Theirs is the more desert vibe, confidently moving forward, but at their own steady pace.

London is getting heavy representation, with Green Lung themselves headlining at the Roundhouse. They’ve been a DF staple for many years, the organisers themselves saying “their story is almost inseparable from our own. Having formed amidst the electric atmosphere of Desertfest 2016, their journey has nigh on mirrored the spirit of the festival” so it feels fittingly full-circle that 10 years later, they take their rightful place at the head of the lineup.

Also make sure you check out my psychedelic prog rock darlings, Teiger, and another icon of the local scene, Okay You Win, with their larger-than-life energy.

More on DesertFest London to come, as we dig in through the whole lineup, discover new favourites and get ready for a party on 15th-17th of May, 2026. Phase 2 Tickets available at https://www.desertfest.co.uk