ALSO Festival has announced hundreds more headline speakers and performers for its 13th edition, set to take place at Compton Verney in Warwickshire from 10 to 12 July 2026.
One of the Midlands’ most distinctive summer events is returning bigger than ever. ALSO26, the unique festival blending ideas, music, comedy and wellness at the picturesque Park Farm, has now confirmed its full line-up.
Now in its 13th year, ALSO has built a devoted following across the Midlands and beyond, blending headline thinkers, live music, comedy, food and outdoor experiences across a single summer weekend in one of the region’s most beautiful settings.
This year’s theme – Oh Fortuna! – explores luck, science and the role of chance in shaping our lives. Leading the speaker programme is bestselling Wolverhampton author Sathnam Sanghera, bringing his new book about the life of George Michael to the stage.
Political historian Sir Anthony Seldon will deliver a live talk on The Brexit Effect, while award-winning neuroscientist Catherine Loveday and broadcaster Claudia Hammond take on The Psychology of The Traitors.
Stratford-upon-Avon’s own BAFTA-winning animator Greg McLeod joins the programme with a fascinating exploration of creativity and the life and death of ideas.
On the music front, ALSO26 welcomes PVA, one of the UK’s most exciting electronic acts, alongside African music and live electronics collective Afriquoi headlining Saturday night.
Other music highlights include:
- the genre-defying sounds of Sheep, Dog & Wolf (Daniel McBride)
- soaring indie-rock and gritty, emotionally resonant Northern storytelling from one of Britain’s most compelling new guitar bands The Rosadocs
- alt-pop songwriting and trip-hop production from Moon Idle
- psychedelic street punk desert rock from Bones Ate Arfa
- the Brazilian carnival vibes of Tribo
- enchanting musical landscapes with One Trick Donkey’s Balkan folk melodies
- soulful indie artist Purdy Smith blending catchy melodies with honest storytelling that moves and inspires
- DJ masterclass and introduction to DJing from Neon Pumps
Comedy highlights include award-winner Esther Manito, joining Mark Thomas, Robin Ince and Elf Lyons.
Wellness highlights include moonlight wild swimming, paddleboard yoga and sound baths on the Capability Brown lake.
Food remains a centrepiece, with Syrian chef Imad Alarnab hosting a special long table feast, alongside River Cottage’s James Whetlor and other guest chefs. Midlands-based artisan food stalls include Water Buffalo Ice Cream from Napton, Draycote-based Red Banger with their fork-to-field ethos and Crafty Boys from Staffordshire who offer artisan coffees and espresso martinis.
Warwickshire’s own Playbox Theatre – one of the region’s most celebrated youth theatre companies – brings high-energy musical theatre Workshops and evening storytelling to ALSO26, giving local families a chance to see a homegrown favourite in a spectacular new setting.
Family-friendly as ever, ALSO26 features theatre, circus skills, storytelling and dedicated activities for children of all ages.
Tickets available from the ALSO website.
