Rock Werchter 2026

[BlackFoxx]

Gazza won't see this as I think he's blocked me, but I'd be wary of him stating things with the confidence of being fact when it's really still just speculation.

 

I'm not sure we know that Raye was originally intended as a sub and got demoted. There's reports that InMusic last year were in late negotiations with Jack White which eventually fell through and led to them going elsewhere. It could've been the same with RW and then they eventually pivoted to Kings of Leon when that Jack White European tour fell apart.

 

I also think Pulp could play the Barn as they are meant to be quite a bit smaller in popularity in Belgium. Last time they played in Belgium was Dour in 2011, with comparable placement to Suede, Cypress Hill and Pendulum. Not sure if there's been any recent britpop nostalgia based boost in their popularity, but still think a spot in the Barn is more than reasonable.

 

 

[BlackFoxx]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

 

Lorde will be subbing at Mad Cool and she is subbing Nos

 

Lorde is also likely 3rd down on her day at NOS based on the poster with Florence and Buraka Som Simesta both in larger fonts and playing the same stage on the same day.

 

It doesn't take much to try and do the minimum in fact checking before you post. 

 

[northernangel]

I think the barn is more like 3rd down given the tent and all thinking aboit it.

[sisco]

17 minutes ago, northernangel said:

I think the barn is more like 3rd down given the tent and all thinking aboit it.

I meant in regards to NOS 2nd stage.  Future Islands and St Vincent were two of the headliners last year who both would be a lot lower at Werchter.  That’s of course not to say they will at Werchter but with the NOS spot plus being lower down on Mad Cool too my hope is they will be lower than Sub to 

[northernangel]

11 minutes ago, sisco said:

I meant in regards to NOS 2nd stage.  Future Islands and St Vincent were two of the headliners last year who both would be a lot lower at Werchter.  That’s of course not to say they will at Werchter but with the NOS spot plus being lower down on Mad Cool too my hope is they will be lower than Sub to 

 

I think it's probably act dependent. It's fair to say Iggy looks bigger at a barn headline than the others did this year or peaks interest more we'll say, but I'd never put him sub under LP or GD as it would look weak, hence why certain bands I'd not even consider on the barn as they would play sub without any doubt.

[Ohad]

2 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

Gazza won't see this as I think he's blocked me, but I'd be wary of him stating things with the confidence of being fact when it's really still just speculation.

 

I'm not sure we know that Raye was originally intended as a sub and got demoted. There's reports that InMusic last year were in late negotiations with Jack White which eventually fell through and led to them going elsewhere. It could've been the same with RW and then they eventually pivoted to Kings of Leon when that Jack White European tour fell apart.

 

I also think Pulp could play the Barn as they are meant to be quite a bit smaller in popularity in Belgium. Last time they played in Belgium was Dour in 2011, with comparable placement to Suede, Cypress Hill and Pendulum. Not sure if there's been any recent britpop nostalgia based boost in their popularity, but still think a spot in the Barn is more than reasonable.

 

 

Isn't Pulp the type of band that won't play a festival they don't headline (in Europe, At least)? Looking at past years, it seems like they tend to go for the smaller festivals as headliners.. 

Hope I'm wrong tho. Saw them last year in Athens and it was superb

[sisco]

2 minutes ago, Ohad said:

Isn't Pulp the type of band that won't play a festival they don't headline (in Europe, At least)? Looking at past years, it seems like they tend to go for the smaller festivals as headliners.. 

Hope I'm wrong tho. Saw them last year in Athens and it was superb

They’re Not headlining Beuregaurd or Mad Cool so makes the chances a lot more

[northernangel]

53 minutes ago, Ohad said:

Isn't Pulp the type of band that won't play a festival they don't headline (in Europe, At least)? Looking at past years, it seems like they tend to go for the smaller festivals as headliners.. 

Hope I'm wrong tho. Saw them last year in Athens and it was superb

 

Generally yes but in Europe and wider they won't bother unless they get positioning they want. Personally on the KOL matter, I think there was long enough the rest of the lineup was announced that if there was intent for another name to be below Fender it would have been announced. It is not something I know as fact but why announce Deftones, Simple Minds and Noah Kahan early but hold back the day of all that was struggling to sell on a Saturday of all days. 

49 minutes ago, sisco said:

They’re Not headlining Beuregaurd or Mad Cool so makes the chances a lot more

 

I don't think think there is anything to suggest they aren't headlining in France?, Mad Cool is a sub though still in a position that KOL are doing who would sub Werchter at the very least, it makes them likely to be at least a bit particular what they do. They don't need to play it for example if they aren't offered what they want and may just not similar to Biffy Clyro. They would not be in the main list of acts I'd expect to crossover compared to who could and for a band that's been active a little bit again now, the option to play the festival has comfortably been there but not happened and chances are low. KOL, Teddy Swims, TWOD, The Offspring, Wolf Alice, Moby, Pixies, David Byrne are all more likely.

Edited November 12, 2025 by northernangel

[sisco]

34 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Generally yes but in Europe and wider they won't bother unless they get positioning they want. Personally on the KOL matter, I think there was long enough the rest of the lineup was announced that if there was intent for another name to be below Fender it would have been announced. It is not something I know as fact but why announce Deftones, Simple Minds and Noah Kahan early but hold back the day of all that was struggling to sell on a Saturday of all days. 

 

I don't think think there is anything to suggest they aren't headlining in France?, Mad Cool is a sub though still in a position that KOL are doing who would sub Werchter at the very least, it makes them likely to be at least a bit particular what they do. They don't need to play it for example if they aren't offered what they want and may just not similar to Biffy Clyro. They would not be in the main list of acts I'd expect to crossover compared to who could and for a band that's been active a little bit again now, the option to play the festival has comfortably been there but not happened and chances are low. KOL, Teddy Swims, TWOD, The Offspring, Wolf Alice, Moby, Pixies, David Byrne are all more likely.

They announced Orselan as the headliner the other week and he’d already sold 75% of tickets 

[northernangel]

8 hours ago, sisco said:

They announced Orselan as the headliner the other week and he’d already sold 75% of tickets 

That's the only one I wasn't sure if they were the headliner and Pulp were doing double duty or what. So in short, there placings are all a bit all over. Pulp did headline La Route du Rock though which is 25k in France this year and there is unofficially bits saying this festival in question is 20-25k so hard to tell. Pulp are selective though where they go and they'll play elsewhere or not at all in Belgium if they don't get the slot they want, it's that simple really. It's not bothered them in the last two years to not include a date on Belgium.

Edited November 13, 2025 by northernangel

[BlackFoxx]

More signs of the Lumineers touring around RW. Perhaps another plus for the Mumford/Lorde/Lumineers/Vampire Weekend leak.

[northernangel]

There is your 3rd down Mumfords band confirmed for the Scotland version of the Chelmsford country festival right before it

[Sparticus]

On 12/11/2025 at 22:31, northernangel said:

 

Generally yes but in Europe and wider they won't bother unless they get positioning they want. Personally on the KOL matter, I think there was long enough the rest of the lineup was announced that if there was intent for another name to be below Fender it would have been announced. It is not something I know as fact but why announce Deftones, Simple Minds and Noah Kahan early but hold back the day of all that was struggling to sell on a Saturday of all days. 

 

I don't think think there is anything to suggest they aren't headlining in France?, Mad Cool is a sub though still in a position that KOL are doing who would sub Werchter at the very least, it makes them likely to be at least a bit particular what they do. They don't need to play it for example if they aren't offered what they want and may just not similar to Biffy Clyro. They would not be in the main list of acts I'd expect to crossover compared to who could and for a band that's been active a little bit again now, the option to play the festival has comfortably been there but not happened and chances are low. KOL, Teddy Swims, TWOD, The Offspring, Wolf Alice, Moby, Pixies, David Byrne are all more likely.

Just to chime in on KOL. Now playing Mon/Wed before Werchter in Ireland....so they'll either be at Werchter, or making up last year's date at Lytham. In 2025 they were scheduled for both (Lytham Wed, Werchter Fri).

Previously they were always a headline or nothing band, however given they are below 21p at Mad cool, they will likely accept a coheadline position.

[northernangel]

30 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

Just to chime in on KOL. Now playing Mon/Wed before Werchter in Ireland....so they'll either be at Werchter, or making up last year's date at Lytham. In 2025 they were scheduled for both (Lytham Wed, Werchter Fri).

Previously they were always a headline or nothing band, however given they are below 21p at Mad cool, they will likely accept a coheadline position.

They will accept a co-headline, its just what they decide to do and it seems they want a break between gigs. I can see them personally taking Lytham at least on Friday as they get to headline outright, maybe Sunday here? What makes me think they might be out is that the past two years there has only been one headliner crossover from Lytham and the other higher one was The Kooks. Only one from I music the last 3 years I believe too and Gorillaz has already crossed over so that also looks to rule out Jack on the subject. The Offspring looks much closer to being one.

[Sparticus]

6 minutes ago, northernangel said:

They will accept a co-headline, its just what they decide to do and it seems they want a break between gigs. I can see them personally taking Lytham at least on Friday as they get to headline outright, maybe Sunday here? What makes me think they might be out is that the past two years there has only been one headliner crossover from Lytham and the other higher one was The Kooks. Only one from I music the last 3 years I believe too and Gorillaz has already crossed over so that also looks to rule out Jack on the subject. The Offspring looks much closer to being one.

Logistically it's easy for acts to get to and from. Lytham is an hour from Manchester airport. A couple of years ago they got the strokes, who then went to Glasgow the next day which is probably more travel.

Still waiting for that Muse tour....but think I may have backed the wrong horse there.

 

Part of me thinks some festivals chose to announce big and early (like Rock am ring) because they had strength in depth, but didn't have a foo fighters sized act to announce.

[sisco]

Pulp Sunday or nothing and The Offspring very much about 

[northernangel]

33 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

Logistically it's easy for acts to get to and from. Lytham is an hour from Manchester airport. A couple of years ago they got the strokes, who then went to Glasgow the next day which is probably more travel.

Still waiting for that Muse tour....but think I may have backed the wrong horse there.

 

Part of me thinks some festivals chose to announce big and early (like Rock am ring) because they had strength in depth, but didn't have a foo fighters sized act to announce.

To be fair to Rock and Ring they still had LP and Maiden to announce and are the only festivals at least in Europe and I think to get them this year. It might not be what everyone wants but 130k were quick to suggest they did. 

 

On the crossover too, The XX last had Mumford play under them last time so you'd not expect something really upbeat before them but they had Royal Blood kinda before them at Roskilde. It wouldn't surprise me for the final two to be 2 of KOL, The Offspring and TWOD and The Offspring and TWOD are certain doing festival that have a crossover history more so

 

[northernangel]

17 minutes ago, sisco said:

Pulp Sunday or nothing and The Offspring very much about 

Another Offspring headline slot, nails them on for Friday or Sunday sub for me. Lumineers we know. 2024 had 1 headliner and 2 sub sharing and a lower down although rare compared to 2025. Social Distortion likely an option too. I believed that rules Pulp out though which was becoming fairly obvious. Makes Moby very likely from Mad Cool.

Edited November 14, 2025 by northernangel

[Sparticus]

23 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Another Offspring headline slot, nails them on for Friday or Sunday sub for me. Lumineers we know. 2024 had 1 headliner and 2 sub sharing and a lower down although rare compared to 2025. Social Distortion likely an option too. I believed that rules Pulp out though which was becoming fairly obvious. Makes Moby very likely from Mad Cool.

Kol Thurs, Offspring friday, pulp Sunday could work and be strong across the board.

[northernangel]

19 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

Kol Thurs, Offspring friday, pulp Sunday could work and be strong across the board.

Lorde will be Thursday its believed. Pulp won't play, Werchter won't give them the spot they'd want, also avoided Belgium the whole time back.

[Sparticus]

12 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Lorde will be Thursday its believed. Pulp won't play, Werchter won't give them the spot they'd want, also avoided Belgium the whole time back.

Is Lorde that big? (37yo dinosaur here that knows Lorde for two songs and south park memes from the 2010s)

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

Is Lorde that big? (37yo dinosaur here that knows Lorde for two songs and south park memes from the 2010s)

Those in the know are certainly putting her subbing and most on here aren't denying it and doing the same.

[sisco]

7 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

Is Lorde that big? (37yo dinosaur here that knows Lorde for two songs and south park memes from the 2010s)

Lordes that sort of level. I know Belguim is different to the UK but you’re talking about a Glasto sub / other headliner so under Mumfords isn’t that much of a surprise really.

 

And I’m willing the rumour into existence as I love her 

 

On pulp, they do 2 days in a row and subbing under a big band like The Cure wouldn’t be a surprise but of course depends on what’s offered and whether they take it.  Over the next month it’ll be cleared up with the package drops 

Edited November 14, 2025 by sisco

[northernangel]

23 minutes ago, sisco said:

Lordes that sort of level. I know Belguim is different to the UK but you’re talking about a Glasto sub / other headliner so under Mumfords isn’t that much of a surprise really.

 

And I’m willing the rumour into existence as I love her 

 

On pulp, they do 2 days in a row and subbing under a big band like The Cure wouldn’t be a surprise but of course depends on what’s offered and whether they take it.  Over the next month it’ll be cleared up with the package drops 

 

The consensus on festileaks is they are out and it's also claimed they think Social Distortion may fit elsewhere and they believe VW is not included.

[sisco]

6 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

The consensus on festileaks is they are out and it's also claimed they think Social Distortion may fit elsewhere and they believe VW is not included.

I’m on Festileaks , Jimmy predicted that based on them not being on the MC lineup, he’s also said he doesn’t know any of the acts playing and maybe they are doing it alongside BBK.  The pulp chat has been they could play any of their festivals there.  Just been told they’re smaller than bloody Royal Blood, GVF and Khurangbin too in Belguim… madness. 
 

Like I say, not long to find out.