Discovery Festival has announced the full line-up for its 2026 edition, returning to Slessor Gardens in Dundee from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July 2026. Newly confirmed acts Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Marc Almond, The Wanted 2.0 and Haircut 100 join a bill already featuring Five, The Libertines, Tony Hadley and Level 42, with tickets on sale now from £53.50.
The three-day event will once again deliver a mix of indie, pop and nostalgic throwbacks, with themed days across the weekend. Friday is set to be a huge celebration of British guitar music headlined by The Libertines, while Saturday’s 80s Calling! takeover brings a stacked line-up of 80s icons. Sunday closes the festival with a ‘90s and 00s pop party led by Five, backed by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and a run of tribute and legacy acts. Following a hugely successful 2025 edition that drew over 15,000 attendees, organisers say 2026 is “shaping up to be our biggest year yet”.
Discovery Festival 2026 runs from Friday 24th July to Sunday 26th July 2026 at Slessor Gardens in Dundee. The waterfront site will host three days of live music, singalongs and nostalgia-driven sets, with fans encouraged to sign up to the festival mailing list at www.discoveryfestival.co.uk for the latest line-up updates and event information. Day tickets, two-day and full weekend passes are all available now.
Friday’s opening night is built around The Libertines, who arrive in Dundee fresh from a UK and Europe stadium tour with Robbie Williams. They are joined by The Lottery Winners, plus Sheffield favourites Reverend and The Makers, who bring their trademark grooves and northern attitude. Organisers describe Friday as a massive celebration of British guitar music right in the heart of Dundee.
Saturday is given over to 80s Calling!, led by former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley and jazz-funk legends Level 42. Joining them are synth-pop icon Marc Almond, new wave favourites Haircut 100 (also billed as Haircut One Hundred), Scottish pop-soul duo Hue & Cry and the soulful Jaki Graham. With big tunes, big hair, nostalgic outfits and wall-to-wall singalong classics promised, the 80s takeover is set to be one of the weekend’s most in-demand days.
Sunday’s closing party shifts into full-on pop mode, with 90s chart-topping boyband Five headlining the final night. Dance-pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor supports Five on Sunday 26th July, bringing hits including Murder on the Dancefloor, Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) and Take Me Home after being named Best Female at the O2 Silver Clef Awards 2025. They are joined by Scottish alt-pop firebrand Roisin McCarney, The Wanted 2.0 and The Amy Winehouse Band to round off a weekend of throwback anthems and crowd-pleasing choruses.
Festival organiser Liz Hobbs MBE, CEO of Discovery Festival Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to reveal the full line-up for Discovery Festival Dundee 2026. This year we’ve added some truly world-class artists who we know will bring huge energy, big hits and unforgettable moments for fans across the weekend. Dundee is set for another phenomenal summer of live music, and we can’t wait to see everyone coming together for epic sing-alongs and proper festival fun. It’s shaping up to be our biggest year yet and we’re so excited to welcome you all back to Slessor Gardens next July.”
Tickets for Discovery Festival 2026 are now on general sale, with one-day, two-day and full weekend options. Prices start at £53.50 plus fees, with upgrades also available for those looking to enhance their festival experience. Tickets can be purchased via www.fixr.co/event/discovery-festival-tickets-74343178.
Accessible tickets are available directly from Ticketmaster and Eventim, with organisers encouraging anyone with specific access needs to book early. Fans can also stay in the loop by joining the Discovery Festival mailing list at www.discoveryfestival.co.uk, which offers exclusive updates, news and further information ahead of Dundee’s biggest weekend of live music.
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