Rock Werchter 2026

[northernangel]

15 minutes ago, ali_rocks said:

Yes, but he couldn't carry the Werchter day either. When was the last time there was a Saturday that wasn't sold out?

 

In my opinion, their size is definitely debatable. I'm not denying their influence, but they're just a peak millennial band that hasn't been around for almost a decade. 

 

Instagram is definitely not representative, but all the other headliners have just over 10,000 likes more than The XX. Not even on the channel (where you can say that the festival fans are definitely there) do they come close to the numbers of the others. However, the forum where the festival nerds, who love The XX, hang out, is also not representative.

 

In my opinion, the earlier headliner argument (see Roskilde) doesn't work either. Just because The Editors headlined Werchter years ago doesn't mean they still have that status. Another example would be Kasabian at Glastonbury. 

 

But I really don't want to start a discussion about it, just share my perspective. I just personally think that the band needs a strong second name on that day for it to work. 

 

I think you bring up very fair points without arguing about it. I also think your use of acts for Roskilde is a very good example. It does have headline acts other festivals do but it's also very a very different festival as you say as it has some that wouldn't headline elsewhere, Lizzo for example wasn't headliner at Mad Cool in 2023, nor would Lil Naz X, SZA or Doja Cat be but it's a different fan base. I also feel other festivals they have topped as well like BIlbao BBK who have had Grace Jones, Massive Attack, Pavement, Pulp and RAYE for a selection of names would not be in the frame to carry either. RAYE has just been 3rd down after initially subbing and Pulp are second at Mad Cool and would not top Werchter. Just the observation.

 

But there is 3 people on here with inclusions of those that don't necessarily dislike them, but they can see them better suited in a different position. I think it's fair to say and most of us would that whether this was the case or not, liking them you'll accept they are just there anyway. 

[thetime]

37 minutes ago, ali_rocks said:

 

In my opinion, the earlier headliner argument (see Roskilde) doesn't work either. Just because The Editors headlined Werchter years ago doesn't mean they still have that status. Another example would be Kasabian at Glastonbury. 

 

 

 

XX status as headliner material is still there though and throughout Europe, whilst Editors were just Belguim and Holland. Whilst Editors popularity has significantly waned, XX is still solid. Glad I was at Werchter for the Editors glory years there, awesome band. 

 

XX headlining around Europe, so the Roskilde headline appearance isn't comparable to Editors for me. XX also headlined Opener festival. 

[sisco]

3 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

XX status as headliner material is still there though and throughout Europe, whilst Editors were just Belguim and Holland. Whilst Editors popularity has significantly waned, XX is still solid. Glad I was at Werchter for the Editors glory years there, awesome band. 

 

XX headlining around Europe, so the Roskilde headline appearance isn't comparable to Editors for me. XX also headlined Opener festival. 

Can’t wait for the huge list of Opener headliners that aren’t big and couldn’t headline X, Y and Z!

[MK1]

58 minutes ago, sisco said:

From that Mad Cool drop I’d really like:

 

Lorde, KOL, Kasabian, Pulp, Wolf Alice and TWOD.  Plenty of others I’d watch too.

 

Roll on the package next week

Nothing this week?

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, sisco said:

Can’t wait for the huge list of Opener headliners that aren’t big and couldn’t headline X, Y and Z!

 

You could just not be a prat about it and take it onboard that multiple people have shared observations different to yours?, not even in a nasty way or malice/towards you. It's not like anyone is coming at you is it. thetime even agree with that person on a bunch of bands and some points but still a failing and disregard of anyone else's observation.

[thetime]

12 minutes ago, sisco said:

Can’t wait for the huge list of Opener headliners that aren’t big and couldn’t headline X, Y and Z!

 

2017 opener had some heavyweights with Radiohead, Foo Fighters and XX.

 

Would of been a good 1 to attend. 

[sisco]

24 minutes ago, MK1 said:

Nothing this week?

I think a headliner and then a package next week.

23 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

You could just not be a prat about it and take it onboard that multiple people have shared observations different to yours?, not even in a nasty way or malice/towards you. It's not like anyone is coming at you is it. thetime even agree with that person on a bunch of bands and some points but still a failing and disregard of anyone else's observation.

a prat? Hmm feels like a personal attack against me there.  Can you please follow the rules

[sisco]

36 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

2017 opener had some heavyweights with Radiohead, Foo Fighters and XX.

 

Would have been a good 1 to attend. 

Always looks a really good festival tbf, really like the 4 day ones as they seem much more value.  

[thetime]

2 minutes ago, sisco said:

Always looks a really good festival tbf, really like the 4 day ones as they seem much more value.  

 

Big fan of long festivals, the audience so much more chilled and relaxed. Rather than go mad for the 3 days. 

 

One of the reasons im a big fan of Sziget and Roskilde. 

[sisco]

2 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

Big fan of long festivals, the audience so much more chilled and relaxed. Rather than go mad for the 3 days. 

 

One of the reasons im a big fan of Sziget and Roskilde. 

I had to meet my mates last year on the Thursday which felt a bit rushed so can’t wait to chill out around the tent on the Wednesday this time and spend a bit longer on site.  Opening party at the hive and maybe some football.  Be interesting what times the games kick off as that could be some very late night fun 

[northernangel]

57 minutes ago, sisco said:

I think a headliner and then a package next week.

a prat? Hmm feels like a personal attack against me there.  Can you please follow the rules

 

a personal attack for you instantly pointing towards another x y z battle with intent rather than accepting observations are different. no one is trying to compare what you look, go against it etc etc at all but you'll feel a need to. so yes it is being petty and a bit silly and idiotic when the examples used were relevant and seen as valid points by of the biggest fans of those bands and types on here. It was said very clearly there is no arguments just observations. So call it antagonistic of you like.

[northernangel]

let's just move past all that now for the forums sake, it's really stupid from observation points turn into unneeded debates that can just be agree to disagree and that is what festivals are half the time.

[sisco]

So for both last years final poster and the one announced today Mad Cool had 59 acts (I didn’t count the dance stage). Presumably with the cut of 1 of the stages that could well be it barring a very few acts added.  
 

I like plenty on the MC lineup so was curious to see how many acts crossed over on last years lineups and it was 17.  
 

Based on that I’m very excited and hoping it’s going to be fairly similar this time

[gingerevans84]

2 hours ago, thetime said:

 

2017 opener had some heavyweights with Radiohead, Foo Fighters and XX.

 

Would of been a good 1 to attend. 

I went Open'er in 2013 and it was incredible. Blur, Arctics, QOTSA, Kings of Leon and Rihanna.

[northernangel]

25 minutes ago, sisco said:

So for both last years final poster and the one announced today Mad Cool had 59 acts (I didn’t count the dance stage). Presumably with the cut of 1 of the stages that could well be it barring a very few acts added.  
 

I like plenty on the MC lineup so was curious to see how many acts crossed over on last years lineups and it was 17.  
 

Based on that I’m very excited and hoping it’s going to be fairly similar this time

 

Yeah Mad Cool has lost a stage so overall about 16/17 acts less so Werchter won't share as many as there isn't as many. At a guess, TWOD, Lorde, Teddy Swims, TLDP, Charlie Puth, TOP, Pixies, KOL, APC, David Byrne, Kasabian, Moby and Interpol.

[sisco]

14 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Yeah Mad Cool has lost a stage so overall about 16/17 acts less so Werchter won't share as many as there isn't as many. At a guess, TWOD, Lorde, Teddy Swims, TLDP, Charlie Puth, TOP, Pixies, KOL, APC, David Byrne, Kasabian, Moby and Interpol.

It’s the same amount as they lost a stage but gained a day 

[northernangel]

9 minutes ago, sisco said:

It’s the same amount as they lost a stage but gained a day 

 fair though that might not still equal the same depending who would be where. I think Pulp for example are only going to take a sub so you've got Florence, Pulp, KOL and TWOD I reckon to fit into two places as you already know Mumfords and Lorde are Thursday unless that person was wrong. Given the Lorde and Kasabian announcements today I'd say he's likely correct and with VW they are going to get people that Mad Cool don't. I even think there is still an outside chance of Jack if he tours that long. I think it could come down to who they think will sell well and if they were impressed enough with any sales after KOL got added last year as they could just still play opener and others including Roskilde. I would guess TWOD and Florence would be names they would go for, I'd be shocked if Florence wasn't Sunday as 2 headliners almost always get shared and have in all 3 previous years even if KOL weren't originally planned. 2022 had 3/4 depending on how you class co-headliners but 5 days. Tomorrow should clear one of them up.

[majmun]

Aren't they late to the party?

[BlackFoxx]

Maybe Friday announcement this week? Think Mumford and Sons play Antwerp on Thursday and it's a national holiday in Belgium today. 

[bitterobvious]

[BlackFoxx]

Few acts playing in Luxembourg around the dates of Rock Werchter which might put them in frame:

 

The Offspring - July 1st

Dogstar - July 2nd

Moby - July 3rd

Jamiroquai - July 7th

Lenny Kravitz - July 8th

[sisco]

1 hour ago, BlackFoxx said:

Few acts playing in Luxembourg around the dates of Rock Werchter which might put them in frame:

 

The Offspring - July 1st

Dogstar - July 2nd

Moby - July 3rd

Jamiroquai - July 7th

Lenny Kravitz - July 8th

Makes The Offspring even more likely then which would be nice.  
 

Someone alluded to their being an announcement tomoz, so we shall see

[BlackFoxx]

Yeah usually the Luxembourg dates are a good clue as they're a band trying to fill in a tour around bigger events like RW. First clue that the Offspring are extending their tour into the week of RW. 

 

Given the names rumoured so far perhaps would work better as a Barn Headliner, maybe go work well against the XX ?

[sisco]

21 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

Yeah usually the Luxembourg dates are a good clue as they're a band trying to fill in a tour around bigger events like RW. First clue that the Offspring are extending their tour into the week of RW. 

 

Given the names rumoured so far perhaps would work better as a Barn Headliner, maybe go work well against the XX ?

The Barn will be finished before The XX starts

 

Editors in the area now….

[northernangel]

8 minutes ago, sisco said:

Makes The Offspring even more likely then which would be nice.  
 

Someone alluded to their being an announcement tomoz, so we shall see

If The Offspring are indeed there and the lack of Graspop makes that quite distinct a possibility, that take even less options away from that Mad Cool list. Subbing everywhere and even stepping up to Hell Fest headliner, I doubt they will be taking anything below a sub. They also just did the ING Arena which is 15k and some subs only do the Vorst National which is 8 which they did in 2023. Sam Fender did the Vorst this year. Sum 41 also did the vorst in 2022 and the ING in 2024 and Greta Van Fleet only did the vorst. The Barn headliners which I had previously thought but not now generally play venues way less capacity than that if they even do in the same year. Iggy Pop is the only exception really but he played a different event aside from it after. It also likely benefited that he was on right before the biggest ticket seller of the weekend and people waiting for them.