Festival season is well underway, and we’re turning our attention to European shores next week for Syd for Solen.
Held in Valbyparken in Copenhagen from 13th – 15th August, this year’s line-up is spoiling us rotten with a mix of huge pop stars, harcore intensity and everything melting in between. Here’s where we’ll be heading:
Lorde
She’s been quietly rewriting the rules of pop for over a decade now, and every era feels like a fresh gut-punch. Last year’s ‘Virgin’ felt like a return to the vibrant, physical sounds of ‘Melodrama’ and was well received all over – and she’s now taking that record all over Europe with a thrilling live show. Expect a set that swings from euphoric to devastating within the space of a single song, delivered with that unmistakable, slightly unhinged intensity only she can pull off. If you’re going to catch one big pop moment this festival, make it this.
Turnstile
Baltimore’s TURNSTILE are one of hardcore’s biggest crossover success stories, and for very good reason. After launching themselves into the mainstream consciousness with 2021’s ‘GLOW ON’, they’ve cince cemented themselves there with last year’s ‘NEVER ENOUGH’. Expect sun-drenched riffs, motorik grooves and choruses big enough to fill a stadium – oh, and endless moshpits.
The xx
The xx are only doing a handful of festival performances this year, and Copenhagen is lucky to be hosting one of them. The band have all had successful solo careers, but it will be special to see them back together, performing well-loved songs from their three albums. Known for their intimate, atmospheric sets, this will be one to remember.
Geese
Few could argue that 2026 is the year of Geese. Led by the enigmatic Cameron Winter, the band released their ‘Getting Killed’ album last year, and it propelled them onto true mainstream success. Since then, the venues and festival slots have just been getting bigger and bigger, and they’re often talked about as festival highlights. One of the most exciting live bands going right now.
Iceage
Danish post-punk outfit Iceage play on home soil after the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘For The Love of Grace & Hereafter’. Frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt is known for his swaggering on stage presence, while the band’s sound has got richer and more dynamic with each record – all growling guitars, engaging melodies. Their recent single ‘Star’ is one of the songs of the year.
Bleech 9:3
Bleech 9:3 have set the alternative scene alight with their tenacious indie tunes, all heavy guitars and driving drums. We’ve not seen them yet, so we’re exciting to see what the fuss is about in this big festival setting.
Blood Orange
Dev Hynes doing what Dev Hynes does best – silky-smooth songwriting that slips effortlessly between funk, R&B and pop without ever losing its cool. A perfect shout for a sun-kissed early evening.
FCUKERS
Something a little different, FCUKERS will bring their own kind of feral energy to the Saturday night to bring the festival to a euphoric close. Think indie sleaze meets underground dance-punk rave. It’s going to be a high-octane set.
