Pinkpop 2026

[willsmith700]

18 hours ago, FKA SOSOTWS said:

 

Look at Pinkpop's lineups over the past ten years and how much commercial stuff they book, which thus also attract similar crowds. Radiohead is too out there. The alternative festival audience in The Netherlands now attend Down The Rabbit Hole and Best Kept Secret.

Anecdotally, from just being on the site - the crowd does still have an eclectic mix. Personally, like Muse closing and Korn before them, to Olivia Rodrigo… I think most artists can still be accommodated on a Pinkpop lineup. But, I take your point that their programmes do have a strategy that is to gravitate to what is “current” generally. 

[SweetJesus]

I watched them on Nova Rock and Hellfest. I’m satisfied, new album is pretty good and some old songs sounds good. And it will be much better show if they remove Crawling, Faint and some other bangers from the setlist because Emily unfortunately can’t sing that.

 

But if you have a chance to catch them on festival, go on, it will be good.

[willsmith700]

On 12/08/2025 at 10:48, SweetJesus said:

I watched them on Nova Rock and Hellfest. I’m satisfied, new album is pretty good and some old songs sounds good. And it will be much better show if they remove Crawling, Faint and some other bangers from the setlist because Emily unfortunately can’t sing that.

 

But if you have a chance to catch them on festival, go on, it will be good.

Potentially. I'm 100% sure that if any up-and-coming band / artist put that latest album out, it would be quickly forgotten. But as it was the return of LP, it got a free pass haha. I watched them a couple of times back in the day. Their Sonisphere set was something special. I just think this rebirth would have been more palatable as a Mike Shinoda side project or under a new name. It does appear to now largely be Mike, Joe and the bassist.

[willsmith700]

Seen RiffReport mention Arctic Monkeys - seems purely presumptuous though, on the expectation of a new album. 

[charlierc]

On 16/08/2025 at 10:57, willsmith700 said:

Seen RiffReport mention Arctic Monkeys - seems purely presumptuous though, on the expectation of a new album. 

There were whispers of them having studio sessions booked for November, but nothing necessarily more tangible than that to hint they'll be active in 2026.

 

Yet. Could all change. I mean, they said they wanted to get a new album out in quicker time than the 4 year gap between TBHC and The Car, but equally 2026 would equal that gap so - whatever.

[willsmith700]

I note Big Thief have an Amsterdam date April 21st. Then Euro dates halt April 29th and they return to Europe in June with dates running to June 16th terminating in Germany. Would be perfectly positioned to pick up an appearance at Pinkpop 🥰🤞 

Edited September 3, 2025 by willsmith700

[northernangel]

21 hours ago, willsmith700 said:

I note Big Thief have an Amsterdam date April 21st. Then Euro dates halt April 29th and they return to Europe in June with dates running to June 16th terminating in Germany. Would be perfectly positioned to pick up an appearance at Pinkpop 🥰🤞 

Likely means Werchter too.

[willsmith700]

3 hours ago, northernangel said:

Likely means Werchter too.

Seen the crop of artists Hurricane and Southside announcement today, we usually see a few names appear on Pinkpop.

[Amelia33]

Hi, just wondering about the shuttle situation. Do they stop by the time the final act is finished? Thats kind of pointless if true…

[willsmith700]

20 hours ago, Amelia33 said:

Hi, just wondering about the shuttle situation. Do they stop by the time the final act is finished? Thats kind of pointless if true…

They do stop on the evening. But the train station is an easy and well signed walk. It’s only a small place Landgraaf and after the final act, the roads are just crammed with people for a good chunk of time. The roads get closed due to the footfall. So, it doesn’t lend itself to allow the buses to operate in the same way as they do in the morning to mid-afternoon. 

[Amelia33]

17 hours ago, willsmith700 said:

They do stop on the evening. But the train station is an easy and well signed walk. It’s only a small place Landgraaf and after the final act, the roads are just crammed with people for a good chunk of time. The roads get closed due to the footfall. So, it doesn’t lend itself to allow the buses to operate in the same way as they do in the morning to mid-afternoon. 

Ahh ok, that makes sense as the station is in walking distance. For some reason I was comparing it to Rock Werchter which is in the middle of nowhere.  Thanks for replying. Does the station get really crowded?

[willsmith700]

On 06/09/2025 at 15:12, Amelia33 said:

Ahh ok, that makes sense as the station is in walking distance. For some reason I was comparing it to Rock Werchter which is in the middle of nowhere.  Thanks for replying. Does the station get really crowded?

No problem :), the station has been fine in recent years with no queues or waiting. 2023 we stayed in a hotel in Valkenburg so actually used the station every day that year, and there was always a train waiting and no issues with queues! The Monday morning it gets busier, but we headed out at 11ish this year and the station was pretty quiet by then. 
 

I’ll add that it’s a rather fun walk to the station on the evening. Lots of locals set up stalls, BBQs and some of the businesses host their own discos / parties and such. The entire town has a great atmosphere around the festival and its heritage. 

Edited September 7, 2025 by willsmith700
Clarity

[willsmith700]

Any thoughts on the potential for Twenty One Pilots to pick up a headline set? They are on the Hurricane / Southside bill and Pinkpop often share some artists with that line up. 

[sisco]

Just now, willsmith700 said:

Any thoughts on the potential for Twenty One Pilots to pick up a headline set? They are on the Hurricane / Southside bill and Pinkpop often share some artists with that line up. 

Fully expecting them on both Pinkpop and RW.  Actually hoping they are as really have got into them 

[willsmith700]

52 minutes ago, sisco said:

Fully expecting them on both Pinkpop and RW.  Actually hoping they are as really have got into them 

Sure - I’ve also noticed System of a Down not got a Dutch date on the just announced European dates which is in the timeframe for some Festival dates.

[willsmith700]

On 22/07/2025 at 12:26, willsmith700 said:

Seen the leak that System of a Down are in Europe June/July next year. Specifically Berlin 2nd July. Would be a fantastic booking for Pinkpop. You would hope they (SOAD) will pickup some festival headlines while this side of the pond. Would be just short of a decade since they last played Pinkpop 2017 (and 2002 before that).

 

Since the leaks, I can’t believe it’s taken this long to announce! 

[willsmith700]

Can’t help but think The Cure and The xx would be superb additions. Judging by Prima and Hurricane / Southside… June / July has some amazing acts in and around Europe 👀 

[MK1]

I now would go for The Cure, 21 Pilots and Carpenter

[willsmith700]

On 26/09/2025 at 11:42, MK1 said:

I now would go for The Cure, 21 Pilots and Carpenter

Looking at The Cure dates announced today. Looks certain now. Great booking. Sabrina and Pilots a solid shout.

[MK1]

Pinkpop announcement anytime soon? 

One off the last big festivals in Europe that are still very quiet. 

[willsmith700]

I suspect we are a month away from a lineup, if the last two years are anything to go by! 

[willsmith700]

Katy Perry in Europe June / July. Would be a very Pinkpop booking. 

[MK1]

Just now, willsmith700 said:

Katy Perry in Europe June / July. Would be a very Pinkpop booking. 

a very bad Pinkpop booking....

[willsmith700]

7 minutes ago, MK1 said:

a very bad Pinkpop booking....

Can’t lie! Love a bit of Katy Perry. Admittedly, I would never go out of my way to see her on an arena tour. But, give me a few pints of Dutch Brand and I’ll be in amongst the revellers having a great time for her set 😆!

[Amelia33]

This makes more sense. I was confused as to why people think Sabrina/Chappel would come back to Europe again, Chappell especially unlikely.