RICHARD ASHCROFT, THE BLACK KEYS AND KASABIAN BILLED FOR PORTSMOUTH’S VICTORIOUS FESTIVAL

Victorious Festival returns in 2026 with one of the strongest festival line ups in its history. Ticket holders of the South Coast’s flagship music festival will be treated to not just Portsmouth’s coastal views but also appearances from Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys, and Kasabian.

The three-day event which takes place over the August Bank Holiday (28^th – 30^th August) marks the end of a career-defining 18 months for Richard Ashcroft, who has spent the best part of the last two years on the road. Following on from the colossal tour schedule with the Gallagher brothers for the Oasis reunion in 2025, The Verve frontman and solo star in his own right launched a sold-out solo stadium tour, soundtracked by the release of his seventh solo record Lovin’ You and live album, Live Vol. 1. His appearance at Victorious brings to an end a summer of outdoor live events across the UK and Europe and will be a monumental opening to the first night of the festival.

Richard Ashcroft (Abi Chilton/Northern Exposure)

Saturday headliners The Black Keys have had a tricky comeback to the UK live circuit off the back of their public fallout with their management and their decision to cancel their 2024 touring schedule owing to poor ticket sales in some bigger venues. The American blues rock duo have gone back to their roots with their 13^th and 14^th studio album – No Rain, No Flowers and Peaches! respectively – which features songwriting collaboration from Noel Gallagher. Their set should find fresh welcome to the UK that has always welcomed the band with open arms.

They are in good company, with Nile Rogers warming the crowd up in support. Nile will amaze those festival-goers who naively attribute his greatest output to his work with Chic and Sister Sledge, with a career-spanning set that will cover his work with Madonna, Pharrell, Daft Punk, Diana Ross, David Bowie and many more artists that have worked with this music icon.

The weekend will close with an electric set from indie-rock legends Kasabian. The Leicester group shut down the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury in 2024 and so there is every possibility that their closing at Victorious will be one that goes down in history. Expect an eclectic mix of indie bangers and electronic dance music as the band have just released ‘Release the Pressure’ in collaboration with Calvin Harris with their ninth studio album Act III due for release this summer. As their previous release Happenings went straight in at the Number 1 spot on the UK album charts, this has all the makings of a not-to-be-missed slot.

Kasabian (Charlie Wright / Northern Exposure)

While the headline acts are amongst some of the most impressive bookings we have seen in the history of Victorious festival, the festival’s continued commitment to championing independent and unsigned artists is really where this festival shines. Portsmouth’s very own Crystal Tides will make a mainstage appearance this year, having previously won an appearance through Victorious’ “Road to Victorious” competition in 2023.

While the recently founded Seaside Stage, located on the waterfront itself, returns in 2026 sponsored by Casemates studios, a grassroots rehearsal studio that has been the training ground for so many of Portsmouth burgeoning live acts in recent years. Victorious festival continues to be the melting pot for established artists and hot new acts, with 2026 shaping up to be one of the best yet.