AVA Festival has officially unveiled the first wave of artists for its twelfth edition, returning to the Titanic Slipways on May 29-30th 2026. This year’s programme is a defining moment for the festival, led by a hometown headline performance from the Belfast rap trio Kneecap, whose fusion of Irish-language lyricism and punk attitude has become a global phenomenon. Joining them at the top of the bill is Irish dancefloor heavyweight Kettama, bringing his high-impact house and techno back to a Belfast crowd, alongside the legendary broadcaster and DJ Annie Mac and Chicago house icon Honey Dijon.

The 2026 line-up is a masterclass in forward-thinking electronic music, featuring Japanese underground innovator ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, who was recently crowned DJ of the Year 2025 by Resident Advisor. The festival will also host highly anticipated Belfast debuts from Interplanetary Criminal and the deeply emotive Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew, alongside a raw industrial live set from Blawan. The international roster continues with eclectic names like Chloé Caillet, Takuya Nakamura, and Evian Christ, ensuring a diverse range of sounds from hypnotic techno to bass-driven UK club energy.

As a festival built from the grassroots up, AVA remains fiercely committed to its origins, with 75% of the line-up featuring artists from Ireland and the UK. Local heroes like Calibre, Cormac, Or:la, Holly Lester, and Cromby sit alongside experimental West Belfast collective Huartan, showcasing the incredible depth of the contemporary Irish scene.

Founder and Creative Director Sarah McBriar said: “Our role as a festival is to curate, reflect culture and bring forward raw and undeniable artistic talent and to create a shared space and freedom for an audience to explore, engage and emotionally connect with a wide range of sounds & genres. We programme artists, not because everyone will agree with them, but because their work resonates and reflects their lived experience. That has always been the role of art; and that spirit remains at the core of this year’s programme: a forward-looking, boundary-pushing gathering rooted in music & culture.”

While the music takes center stage, the professional side of the industry remains a vital pillar of the weekend. Senior Curator Emmett Costello highlights the pride in platforming local talent alongside twelve Belfast debuts, creating a shared space for artistic exploration:

“We’re delighted to announce our first 50 Acts for AVA Belfast 2026. With 75% of the lineup built around artists from Ireland and the UK, we are really proud to continue to be supporting and platforming local talent, as well as bringing in 12 debut performances to Belfast.”

Beyond the performances, the festival continues to be a hub for community and creativity, offering a dedicated conference for networking and professional development. This industry-focused side of the event provides a rare opportunity for practitioners to engage with global figures, making it a landmark gathering for anyone looking to build a career in music and contemporary culture. More on that to be announced in the coming weeks.