Boardmasters 2026 Complete As Lily Allen Announced As Final Headliner In Major Wave 2 Reveal

Boardmasters has unveiled Lily Allen as its final headliner for 2026, completing a huge second wave announcement for the Cornish festival’s return to Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, Newquay, from 5th–9th August 2026.

Lily Allen @ Mighty Hoopla Festival

Lily Allen @ Mighty Hoopla Festival 2018 (Kalpesh Patel)

Revealed in striking fashion via a large-scale piece of sand art on the Cornish coastline, Lily Allen joins previously announced headliners Fatboy Slim and Kasabian, alongside a diverse top tier that also includes The Kooks, Loyle Carner, Rudimental, REN and Tash Sultana. With demand surging following the first lineup drop, Boardmasters has now moved into its final ticket tiers, with limited availability remaining.

A defining voice in British pop, Lily Allen brings an era-spanning catalogue and fearless songwriting to the edge of the Atlantic. Fresh from a major awards season that has seen her recognised once again among the UK’s leading artists, she arrives at Boardmasters off the back of her 2025 album West End Girl. The record marked a bold new chapter, pairing sharp social observation with emotional depth, and Allen is set to perform it in full against the dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast.

Wave 2 further reinforces Boardmasters’ reputation for blending mainstream names with forward-thinking talent. Joy Crookes returns with her rich, soulful sound following the release of her acclaimed second album Juniper, while Jacob Alon, one of the UK’s most compelling rising voices, brings confessional indie-pop shaped by vulnerability and confidence in equal measure. Elsewhere, Lucy Spraggan and Beans On Toast add heartfelt folk-pop moments rooted in storytelling and connection.

Electronic and dance music also features heavily in the new additions, with Fleetmac Wood set to transform the cliffs into a sun-soaked open-air dancefloor. Late-night energy comes courtesy of artists such as Hamdi, Lens, Sicaria and Gotham b2b Deekz, while Charlie Boon returns to his home county for a special back-to-back with Sarah Story.

Across the weekend, a wide-ranging selection of emerging pop, indie and alternative artists including Rose Gray, Charlotte Plank, Etta Marcus, Chloe Qisha and Holysseus Fly reflects the festival’s continued commitment to championing new voices. The lineup also stretches into genre-blurring territory with names such as Dirty Nice, Old Mervs, Good Health Good Wealth and Oh My God! It’s The Church, ensuring discovery remains central to the Boardmasters experience.

Chloe Qisha @ BST Hyde Park 2025

Chloe Qisha @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Beyond the music, Boardmasters remains deeply rooted in surf culture and coastal life. Returning to Fistral Beach, the festival once again hosts elite international and UK surfers as part of the Boardmasters Open, alongside wellness experiences, fitness sessions, creative workshops and immersive art installations. From yoga and sound baths to skate sessions, comedy and silent discos, the festival offers a fully rounded escape that balances high-energy moments with space to unwind.

With further programming still to be announced and day tickets set to go on sale later in February, Boardmasters 2026 is shaping up to be one of the festival’s most expansive and ambitious editions yet.

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Lip Critic @ Revenge - Mutations Festival 2026 (Owen Mills)

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Arabella Lucia @ B.R.A.T. Denmark Street (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

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Desperate Measures @ Hope and Anchor (Louise Phillips)

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Yee Loi @ B.R.A.T. Denmark Street (Louise Phillips)

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