The Charlatans, Sprints, The Twilight Sad and Getdown Services have been announced as the headliners for next year’s Rockaway Beach Festival.
The three-day event is returning to the Butlin’s site in Bognor Regis next January for its 12th instalment. It will run from January 7 to 9, and three-day festival passes and accommodation packages are available now – find yours here.
As well as the four headline acts, the first wave of announced names also includes Cockney Rejects, Madra Salach, Alien Chicks, Bis, Congratulations, Cowboy Hunters, Lemonsuckr, Makeshift Art Bar, Katie Malco, Modern Woman, Mouth Ulcers, Nightbus, Pigeon, SILVERWINGKILLER and Vona Vella.
There will also be DJ sets from BBC Radio 6 Music presenters Steve Lamacq and Chris Hawkins, and the festival have confirmed that there are “many, many more names” still to be announced.
Rockaway Beach founder Ian Crowther has said: “I’ve always believed that we bring the most vital artists together – from those legends, through to upstarts. This year I believe we’ve done that across the lineup, including our top-billing headliners. For the first time, we’re showcasing a co-headline programme on the opening night giving two bands the status they deserve. Getdown Services and SPRINTS share a punk attitude and energy that sets them apart, and while they have different musical influences, are two of the most striking and exciting live bands we’ve seen.”
“The Twilight Sad make some of the most emotional, unsettling and intense rock music I’ve ever seen. Whether it’s their headline shows, or touring with The Cure, they are an almost overwhelming force on stage. When I heard the first tracks from ‘It’s The Long Goodbye’ I knew that now was the right time for a headline performance at Rockaway Beach.”
He added: “The Charlatans have soundtracked so many of our lives. And 40 years on are still creating amazing new music. I don’t know how they did it, but last year’s ‘We Are Love’ album was one of their best, reminding us why they’re as important in 2026 as 1996. True cross-generational icons.”
In addition to the music, there will be artist Q&As, discussions, pub quizzes, arcade games, bowling, with access to a swimming complex and spa.
The Charlatans released their 14th album ‘We Are Love’ last October, their first record in eight years, while Springs’ second album ‘All That Is Over’ also came out last year, while their new single ‘Trickle Down’ was released in March. The Twilight Sad, meanwhile, released their sixth album ‘It’s The Long Goodbye’ in March.
Last year’s festival saw sets from Public Image Ltd, Dry Cleaning and The Moonlandingz, while over the years, they have played host to Fontaines D.C., Suede, Self Esteem, Jarvis Cocker, John Cale and countless others.
