Rock N Roll Circus has announced a unique line-up for its return to Earlham Park in Norwich, confirming that The Kooks, The Vaccines, and The Fratellis will perform on Saturday 22nd August 2026. In a one-off celebration, each band will play their seminal, generation-defining debut album in full under the festival’s Big Top.
The special Saturday event is part of the wider Rock N Roll Circus weekend, which runs from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August 2026. This announcement marks another major moment for the festival’s return to the city, following a hugely successful debut that saw thousands attend for performances from McFly, Courteeners, and Olly Murs alongside an immersive atmosphere of acrobats and circus performers.
Brighton favourites The Kooks are set to headline the Saturday night, performing their platinum-selling debut album, Inside In / Inside Out. The record, which includes enduring anthems such as ‘She Moves in Her Own Way’, ‘Ooh La’, and ‘Naïve’, sold over two million copies and has found a new audience with Gen Z fans, cementing the band’s status as festival headliners.
Joining them are London indie heroes The Vaccines, who will play their explosive 2011 debut, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, in its entirety. The album, featuring breakout hits ‘If You Wanna’ and ‘Post Break-Up Sex’, was one of the fastest-selling debuts of its decade. Completing the trio, Scottish icons The Fratellis will perform their beloved debut Costello Music, which launched them globally with hits like ‘Chelsea Dagger’ and ‘Whistle For The Choir’, earning the band a BRIT Award.
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly commented on the announcement, stating: “Norwich wanted the circus back – and we’ve listened. After the incredible response to last year’s debut, we wanted to create something truly special for the 2026 edition. A full day of iconic albums performed in full by three huge British bands is exactly that with lots more artists still to be announced. These are records that defined entire eras for so many people, it is set to be a special Saturday!”
For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Rock N Roll Circus Norwich website.
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