The multivenue Rotterdam festival has announced the first batch of names for its 2026 edition, which runs 22^nd–24^th October.

For live music fans whose prodigious appetite for cutting-edge new musical discoveries is matched by a deep-seated sense of fun and whimsy, there’s no place quite like Rotterdam on Left of the Dial weekend. Spread across the Dutch city’s miscellany of gorgeous venues – including (but not limited to) a salsa studio-turned gig space, multiple breathtaking churches and a stationary boat that also offers a to-die-for vegan brunch – the festival prides itself on not only showcasing some of the most incredible new talent, but nurturing it too, fostering a relaxed atmosphere that in turn makes for an incredible live experience for audience members and musicians alike. Also offering an additional array of uniquely located live music excursions, such as Bands on a Boat/Bus/insert-mode-of-transport-here, it’s not at all surprising that Left of the Dial have completely sold out multiple years in a row.

Last week, we were privy to the first lineup taster for the 2026 edition, with the festival announcing 41 preliminary names. Straight off the bat, we were excited to see that a handful of artists mentioned in our 10 Artists for 2026 feature are set to appear on this year’s bill. Alice Costelloe is one such act, whose featherlight, Cate Le Bon-inflected baroque indie stylings caught our attention on her stunning debut album ‘Move On With The Year’. Leeds risers Bathing Suits are billed to perform too, and their obliterating, techno charged post-punk is sure to be an audience favourite with the Dutch locals. TURNSPIT are another act that we’re excited about, forming part of the inaugural representation for the Leeds DIY scene, and their punch-packing electro-pop comes in a dazzling live package enswathed in mystery that attendees won’t want to miss.

Elsewhere on the bill, Cardiff’s fresh faced, heart-on-sleeve indie rockers casual smart will be making their first appearance at the festival, a band who we recently interviewed following the release of their charm-packed new single ‘she’s my love’. Opus Kink fans will be sated this year too, as lttl mort, the solo project of keys player Jazz Pope, is billed to perform. Another live favourite of ours, London’s ashnymph will be bringing their dancefloor ready electro-psych experiments to the festival this year. Other lineup highlights we noted include football analyst-turned-indie-pop crooner JJ Bull, Vienna dream-poppers GARDENS & Brighton’s enchanting genre-benders AtticOmatic.