Richard Ashcroft has been announced as the Sunday headliner for Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026, joining The Streets at the top of the bill for the August Bank Holiday weekend. The festival will return to Don Valley Bowl for its fourth edition from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August 2026, promising its biggest year yet.
Ashcroft, widely regarded as one of the definitive British frontmen of his generation, will close the weekend on Sunday 30th August. The announcement follows a monumental period for the singer, who recently joined the Oasis global reunion tour as a special guest in 2025. Fresh from those stadium shows and the release of his acclaimed album Lovin’ You, he is expected to bring a set packed with solo classics like A Song For The Lovers alongside Verve anthems such as Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don’t Work.
Joining Ashcroft on the Sunday bill are Scottish indie giants The Fratellis and Liverpool legends Cast. The Fratellis arrive fresh from their Costello Music anniversary celebrations, while Cast, fronted by John Power, add further Britpop heritage to the lineup. The Saturday headliner is yet to be revealed, with organisers promising another major announcement soon.
- Friday 28 August: The Streets (Headliner), performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free
- Saturday 29 August: TBA
- Sunday 30 August: Richard Ashcroft (Headliner), The Fratellis, Cast
The news comes shortly after organisers confirmed The Streets as the opening night headliner. Mike Skinner’s project will perform their landmark 2004 album A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on Friday 28th August. While tickets for The Streets are already on sale, fans hoping to see Richard Ashcroft will need to register for a presale taking place this week.
Ticket Information and Prices
Tickets for the Sunday show with Richard Ashcroft go on presale at 9am on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, before the general sale begins at 9am on Friday 5th December. Fans can register for the presale here.
While specific pricing for the Sunday show has not been released, tickets for the Friday show are currently available via Ticketmaster, giving fans a strong indication of costs. General Admission adult tickets are priced at £73.15, with VIP packages available at £118.15. Children’s tickets (under 12s) are £30.95, and entry for under 5s is free.
- Presale Opens: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 – 9am
- General Sale: Friday 5th December 2025 – 9am
- Friday Tickets: On sale now via Ticketmaster
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly described the booking as a significant moment for the event: “Richard Ashcroft is a towering figure in British music and a phenomenal live performer, so we’re thrilled to be bringing him to Sheffield for 2026. It is shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting year yet.”
Known for blending live music with the spectacle of the circus, the festival houses its main stage inside a massive Big Top, offering an immersive, weather-proof experience complete with aerialists, fire performers, and acrobats.
Add as a preferred source