First wave of acts announced for Manchester Psych Fest 2026
One of the highlights of the northwest’s festival calendar has revealed The Beta Band as its first headliner for next September.
Photo: Adam Edwards
The sprawling, multi-venue and city-wide Manchester Psych Fest has divulged its first major headliner for the September 2026 edition, along with a host of fantastic live acts to complement them.
Scottish icons The Beta Band will headline the festival, bringing their unique psychedelic folktronica back to the city after touring there earlier this year — their first gigs for 21 years. Working Men’s Club, who also played Manchester recently — supporting MPF’s alumni Fat Dog — are also revealed as one of the big acts for 2026.
Other names announced for next year, which will take place on Saturday, 5th September, include the local act Freak Slug, the dreamy Night Tapes, and Wales’ Gwenno. Dog Race, thistle., Mleko, Lemonsuckr, and Martial Arts round off the first wave of confirmed bands — along with a definite one to watch: the fantastic, proper psych-heads Ghostwoman.
More than 60 artists are scheduled to play across the whole festival, which takes place at lots of beloved Manchester venues, including the Deaf Institute, Projekts Skatepark, YES, Gorilla, The Bread Shed and the Academies, alongside many more unique and quirky pop-ups. There will also be films, DJs, art installations and more across the city.
Ticket prices have been frozen at last year’s second-tier cost for a very limited time. Limited £49.50 tickets on sale 10am Wednesday 12th November at manchesterpsychfest.com.