Night Currents 2026 - The Final Wave.

Night Currents Festival is a catalyst for community in Portsmouth and it’s surrounding areas. Every year as October rolls around it feels like there is a buzz in the air as six music dads and fangirls alike, scan through the lineup, and murmur for one last time in the queue “it’s just like looking at my playlist!” or “I haven’t heard of x but I know I can trust Night Currents to bring me another favourite artist!”. It’s always refreshing to attend a gig with so many familiar faces, yet somehow still an equal amount of new ones too! People are keen to discover at Night Currents, and I think that’s what sets it apart from all the other festivals - the true commitment to knowing what their community want. They know to draw in acts to Portsmouth who haven’t played before, because they understand that it always gets forgotten from a bands tour. There’s a true love for the music, which is rare in times where everyone is so economy-driven.

The lineup itself is always perfectly curated, but this year feels extra special, with Night Currents Co-Founder Chloe Robbins stating that they have “been dreaming of having Lime Garden on the bill since [they] first started the festival”, and I don’t blame them, Lime Garden are the perfect headline slot, bringing their indie sleaze to the walls of Wedgewood Rooms! The hype around this indie band is ongoing, selling out shows across the UK and the US, and recently being Tune of The Week on BBC Radio One, with their hit song “Cross My Heart” off of their sophomore album “Maybe Not Tonight”.

Prima Queen will also be taking the stage at Night Currents 2026, bringing their guitar-driven melodies that embody the sublimity of female friendships and connection! This indie-pop duo will leave you wishing that their set would never end!

Making a comeback to Portsmouth after their astounding set at the Festival back in 2024, Wedgewood-rooms bound ARXX are dancing themselves back into Albert Road for another ‘Queer Power-pop’ party! You definitely will be Crying In The Carwash once their set is over, they are just too good!

A true personal favourite is ‘My First Time’ coming to Portsmouth for, you guessed it - another awful pun, their first times! They are doing an amazing job of proving that music IS political, and it can always be a riot against societal issues. Their indie-sleaze will be bouncing off the walls of the Wedge, and I don’t think anyone can contain their excitement!

South London five-piece Ain’t are reinventing the 90s with their mix of grunge and post punk! The band has previously played beside a previous Night Currents artist, Human Interest, and are definitely a must see act for this year’s festival!

Brighton rockers Crysometimes are bringing their infectious energy to Portsmouth, a debut in the seaside city. This is a big moment for the Chloe Slater fans, who fell in love with Crysometimes after touring with Slater back in October!

Another favourite of Quantize, is Brighton based SLAG who are gracing the stage with their magnetic performance full to the brim with exhilarating guitar-driven melodies, beautifully complementing the angelic vocals.

For fans of Billie Eillish, SOFY is perfect for the people yearning for the atomosphere of summer 2020, a top track being ‘Strawberry Milkshake”, radiating the warmth of bedroom pop!

A sell-out of the Edge of The Wedge back in April has drawn Mary Middlefield back, and you can already sense the angelic melodies from here. Seeing Mary Middlefield live isn’t just a show, it’s an experience - brought to life by the soft and sweet hums of violins and beautiful harmonies.

But it doesn’t end there, three final new names have been added to this years Night Currents lineup, including: CATTY, Jo From School, and SPIDER.

Despite the name, SPIDER is not someone to avoid the set of (even arachnophobic people love the music!) with her music exploring themes of vulnerability through the exciting world of punk and alt-pop! Annnd, she’s supporting Amyl and the Sniffers soon, so you better claim your OG spot whilst you still can!

CATTY is making a debut to Portsmouth, and her devoted fanbase is ready, and so is CATTY whose alternative pop has already graced stages at Stevie Nicks BST Hyde Park, and is now hitting one of Portsmouth’s favourite music festivals.

Finally, Jo From School is bringing all the indie, with a garnish of folk, to Night Currents, hopefully bringing all the tunes from her recently released EP ‘Grace, Flair, and Distance’ alongside her!

Make sure to buy your tickets now, because they are selling out!

Ticket Link:

https://www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk/events/2026-10-03-night-currents-festival-2026-the-wedgewood-rooms

See you at the front?