James and more – announced as Saturday headliners for Forest Fest 2026

23 new acts announced including The Undertones, The Coronas, The Sultans of Ping, Kerbdog, Power of Dreams, The Wedding Present, Fun Lovin Criminals, Bad Manners, King Kong Company, HamsandwicH, AHOUSE!SDEAD and more

Forest Fest has today confirmed James – one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the past four decades, known for hits including ‘Laid’, ‘Sit Down’ and ‘Getting Away With It’ – as the Saturday night headliners for its 2026 edition. The Manchester legends join previously announced Friday headliners Echo and the Bunnymen and Sunday night’s Madness, completing the festival’s weekend headliner line-up.

A total of 23 new acts have been added to the bill today. The latest additions include chart-topping Irish rock band The Coronas; Derry punk originals The Undertones; cult punk-pop outfit The Sultans of Ping; Kilkenny alt-metal band Kerbdog; 2-tone ska veterans Bad Manners; indie-rock favourites Power of Dreams, who will play their first show together in 15 years; New York genre-mixers Fun Lovin’ Criminals; influential UK outfit The Wedding Present; art-pop collective A House Is Dead; electronic live act King Kong Company; indie-pop group HamsandwicH; ex–The Jam musician Bruce Foxton; former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell; Wexford rock band Cry Before Dawn; rising punk artist Aoife Destruction; Smiths tribute act These Charming Men; vocalist Jack L; garage-rock trio The Minutes; Queen tribute Qween, joined by the Dublin Gospel Choir; indie-pop collective Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets; and emerging indie-rock band Thanks Mom.

These additions sit alongside the previously announced 11 acts, revealed last month at a launch event in Whelan’s, Dublin. The night featured live performances from HamsandwicH, The Minutes and Thanks Mom – all of whom are among today’s newly confirmed artists.

Also included in today’s announcement is Jack L, whose long-standing relationship with Forest Fest has been central to its identity. The internationally acclaimed Irish artist has performed at every edition, collaborating with the Maynooth Gospel Choir, appearing with his full band and serving as the festival’s host MC across all stages. His return reflects a partnership that has grown year on year as the festival has evolved from a local event into one of Ireland’s most-loved boutique festivals.

The previously announced line-up includes post-punk pioneers Echo and the Bunnymen; Scottish pop-rock favourites Deacon Blue; indie stalwarts The Charlatans; alt-rock band The Lemonheads; rock outfit Feeder; trailblazers The Wonderstuff; genre-spanning group Black Grape; indie band The Fratellis; cult alt-rockers Ned’s Atomic Dustbin; and singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole.

Early Bird tickets on sale now from forestfest.ie subject to booking fees. 

Of the latest line up announcement, Festival Director Philip Meagher says:

“I’m really thrilled with this line-up reveal–I’m particularly thrilled to be welcoming back to the festival, James. I saw their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival this summer and they just seem to be getting better and better; as far as I’m concerned they’re one of the top 10 live acts in the world at the moment so we’re absolutely honoured to have them as part of our line up this year.”