40 Live Acts You Should Go And See In 2026 (part four)
Winter
The shoegaze of Samira Winter is so compelling because it refuses to simply be an exercise in nostalgia, pushing the classic sound of the genre to somewhere emotionally new. Whilst shoegaze often hinted at overwhelming feelings without spelling them out, Winter writes with clarity about the sensation of being completely swept away by the heady rush of love, articulating the emotions clearly and openly. Live, the softness and warmth running through the songs is delivered at serious volume in an affecting collision of gentleness and scale. Winter use a familiar palette to paint something vibrant and new, and it’s a joy to witness.
Golomb
A charming family band from Ohio made up of husband-and-wife duo Mickey and Xenia Shuman, and Xenia’s brother Hawken Holm on drums, Golomb’s closeness shines through with an immediacy and trust to how they perform together. An indie rock trio on the surface, they stretch the template in all kinds of unexpected ways with buckets of fuzz balanced with downbeat tenderness, making room for country, reggae and plenty of reflection without it ever feeling scattered. Golomb do a lot of things that indie songs aren’t really supposed to do, but they do it with so much warmth that it always feels intriguing and inviting.
Benefits
Kingsley and Robbie put on one of the most gripping and unsettling live shows you can go and see. One man hammering out blistering electronic beats whilst the other shouts and rants until it looks like the veins in his face might burst. Benefits’ second album Constant Noise was one of the most emotionally powerful records of the year, stark and intensely cinematic, and the live show holds your attention the same way a really well made gritty film does. Despite being an electronic act, Benefits feel punk to their core, with the same urgency, honesty and commitment, just no power chords.
Lambrini Girls
There’s something hilarious about a band named after a drink that only British teenagers know about becoming a global force, but here we are. Lambrini Girls have had a phenomenal year since their debut album landed in January, tearing it up across the world ever since. A genuinely life-affirming band, delivering political ferocity to a huge audience whilst also being properly funny. You have to see them live, because Phoebe Lunny is without question our rock star of the year, using every second of stage time to advocate for important causes, and conducting the crowd like an orchestra with circle pits, human pyramids, walls of death, and more. Lambrini Girls have made punk both urgent and joyful again, and they’re a Sherwood essential.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers
A Frankie and the Witch Fingers show is absolute pandemonium, as every single member brings a relentless energy, but all in completely different ways. Dylan’s head is constantly bouncing along with his twangy guitar lines whilst Josh shreds with flair and precision. Nick drums with non-stop fills and a refusal to ease off for a second, Pickle’s bass lines carry a huge amount of melody without stealing focus, as John’s spiralling, whirring synths push the madness even further. It’s impossible not to grin from ear to ear as the band focus squarely on making you dance. We’re incredibly proud to have Frankie and the Witch Fingers as our next cover stars in February.
Annahstasia
Annahstasia Enuke’s debut album Tether has rightly appeared on countless albums-of-the-year lists due to her startling voice, with mature and patient songs, immaculately crafted. She spent 2025 touring spaces chosen with intention, including churches, historic halls and beautiful listed buildings, making the rooms themselves part of the performance, and you can hear a pin drop at her shows. When she speaks between songs, she does so with an endearing, smiling grace, and it’s impossible not to find yourself reflecting on why shared music in beautiful spaces means so much at the end. Many have listened to Tether, but far fewer have experienced it live. Make sure you’re one of them.
really big really clever
Another brilliant band out of Brighton, really big really clever write fantastically catchy songs that pull from a wide spectrum of heavy guitar music, including grunge, emo and slamming pop-punk. Live they drop in movie quotes with a trigger pad that keep things laugh-out-loud funny between the studio-quality renditions of their terrific songs, with vocal duties shared across the band. Polished and tight, but still extremely energetic and fun, this is really great guitar music that will leave you buzzing and smiling.
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii
Completely unforgettable from the moment they hit the stage, Erotic Secrets of Pompeii are total mania with homemade costumes and an atmosphere that’s permanently on the brink of exploding. Frontman Thomas Hawtin comes decked head-to-toe in rhinestones, but quickly sheds layers until he’s shirtless not for the theatre of the striptease, but because it gets so damn hot up there. The band’s songs keep you moving from start to finish, built for dancing first and foremost, but when you take a moment to actually watch what’s happening on stage the playing is intricate, complex and impressive. The atmosphere is overwhelming and chaotic, but the music itself is gloriously groovy. Erotic Secrets of Pompeii are a weird and marvellous riot.
Cowboy Hunters
Desmond and Megan are a punk duo armed with that uniquely Glaswegian strain of dry, vicious humour that’s threatening and standoffish, but also side-splittingly funny, making you laugh while making you slightly uncomfortable at the same time. Their songs tend to be about people who are cunts, being direct about who they hate and why. Having recently supported Franz Ferdinand, Cowboy Hunters are tipped for great things in 2026. We’ll be following closely.
Masca
Bristol-based Masca’s debut album is due in Spring 2026, and their music sits in a really rare space: complex rock music that twists your head with clever, intricate rhythms that’s also unbelievably catchy. Pop rock that will also deeply satisfy Bristol’s ArcTanGent crowd who refuse to listen to anything simple, ever, this combination is hard to pull off but Masca do it effortlessly. Tina is a phenomenal frontwoman, rocking out while delivering studio-perfect vocals as Jack seems visibly furious with his kit. Those who already know them know that Masca are not an average band. 2026 looks set to be their year.
