The weekend looked perfect from the off, sunshine stretched across the coastline with just enough breeze rolling over the clifftops to remind you that Boardmasters is perched on one of the most beautiful festival sites in the UK.
Even Thursday evening felt charmed: arriving early, parking up, grabbing wristbands, and clocking the subtle changes since 2025. A couple of stages had shifted, but the spirit of the place was exactly the same.
A quick shuttle bus into Newquay gave us just enough time to inhale a pizza before the last bus back at 10pm. Then it was the classic festival wind‑down: wandering back to the van, Jim‑jams, teeth cleaned, and discovering that my partner in crime had brought zero bedding. No pillow. No duvet. Nothing. Thankfully I keep an emergency throw and spare pillow in the van which saved him from a weekend of pure suffering.
Friday began with a heroic 2.8km trek to site, arms stretched to orangutan length under the weight of weekend gear. The gates opened at 11am to what felt like a ghost town, nothing serving breakfast, no queues, no bustle. An apple became my accidental “healthy start” while I sorted interview times and prepped for a stacked day.
The weather teased gloom early on, thick black cloud hanging overhead, but it soon broke into soft, manageable sunshine, settling around 20 degrees, the kind of temperature that lets you roam stages without melting.
I had five interviews lined up. A run of great bands. A day that needed tight timing and sharper instincts than usual.
As the morning rolled on, the press tent filled with familiar faces and new ones, a refreshing mix of ages rather than the usual TikTok‑aged crowd. A reminder that Boardmasters still pulls in a broad creative community.
The main stage sparked into life with Fletchr Fletchr, a Cornish four‑piece who grew up coming to Boardmasters as punters. They’d played The View stage before, but this was their first time stepping onto the festival’s biggest platform. Their set was tight, enticing, and carried that same raw promise Wunderhorse had before they blew up. You could feel the crowd clocking them, a proper “remember this moment” opener.
With interviews to do, I headed down to The View stage, resplendent with the jaw-droppingly beautiful Watergate Bay shimmering behind it, for a triple hit of COSM, Jamie Yost, and Abbie Piper before sprinting back up the hill for Fletchr Fletchr’s interview in the afternoon.
Whilst at The View, COSM delivered a terrific set, full of colour and confidence. Emily had a full “Marilyn moment” when the breeze caught her dress, sending it skyward and giving the roadies a surprise “view”. Afterward, she told me she’d nearly had a different wardrobe malfunction earlier, her designer dress almost didn’t arrive, saved only by the heroic postal forces of Redruth who managed to get it to her just in time.
Jamie Yost followed with his full band, including Kate Hall. He sounded great, looked relaxed, and later admitted he’d misplaced his phone en route from artist camp to stage. After a frantic search, he found it near his car, crisis averted.
Seeing Abbie Piper again after ten years was a moment. Her set was gorgeous, shifting from indie folk into a more neo‑soul direction, her band giving her space to let the vocals shine. She told me she’s now London‑based but still spends plenty of time in the Westcountry thanks to family ties. Some places just don’t let you go.
Sadly, I missed Dizzee Rascal and James Arthur due to chatting to the bands on The View stage, but Julian captured both and confirmed they delivered exactly what thousands of festival‑goers wanted.
I also missed Getdown Services, which stung, as we’ve covered them a lot on the Sonic Nomads Alternative New Music Podcast, bt again, owing to me spending time where it mattered most, I was unable to catch them, you’ve got to remember that Boardmasters is a LARGE festival, where you simply can’t be everywhere at once.
I did catch the first few songs from Lambrini Girls, who never fail to bring the fire. Phoebe, in her two‑piece suit, tore across the stage with politically charged vocals, backed by a rhythm section turned up to 11. She made a razor‑sharp point about the UK’s current issues not being caused by small boat arrivals, but by billionaires steering the narrative while masking the crimes of certain high‑profile politicians. The crowd roared in agreement. Political? fuck yeah!
During The Royston Club’s set on the Mordros stage, I grabbed some paella and watched from a distance as the place absolutely heaved. It looked like the whole tent was sat on someone’s shoulders! A pit packed to bursting. It sounded huge, exactly the kind of moment that proves why they were booked for such a prime slot.
Back on the main stage, The Kooks rolled out all the hits from their colourful career. What stood out most was how many young fans were singing along, kids who weren’t even born when the band first broke through. Their energy was infectious, their set tight, and the nostalgia hit just right.
I returned to The View to catch the first ten minutes of Sasha Keable, who sounded phenomenal. Her band was locked in, her vocals rich and effortless. A proper discovery moment.
The night closed with Fatboy Slim headlining the main stage. I expected a static DJ set, Normski behind the decks, fist‑pumping occasionally. Instead, he was everywhere: running across the stage, mouthing lyrics, and at one point sitting at the very front like he was about to read a bedtime story to 50,000 people. His two‑hour set was a masterclass, classics woven with unexpected tracks that somehow worked perfectly. He came. He conquered. He reminded everyone why he’s still one of the greatest festival headliners in the game.
From the early‑morning gloom to the blazing headline set, Friday at Boardmasters was a day of discovery, nostalgia, chaos, interviews, and pure festival joy. A proper start to the weekend, and one that set the tone beautifully for what was still to come.
Step Count 23000
Buggy Rides - 2
Food consumed - I spotted a paella stand that often appears at Beautiful Days festival, so i feasted on their chicken and chorizo version, amazingly good. This was preceeded by a mushroom cup-a-soup thingy (hug-in-a-mug stylee) and an apple….rock n’ roll baby!
Drinks consumed - An endless supply of water, 2 cans of cider and I managed to sneak a couple of Caitlyn’s Capri Sun drinks (shhhh, don’t tell her!)
Saturday at Boardmasters began with that rarest of festival blessings: good weather. With the sun already stretching itself across Watergate Bay, we wandered down for breakfast and a lazy hour on the sand before the gates opened. The walk down was dreamy; the walk back was a chore. That hill is no joke, but we conquered it, fuelled by coffee, anticipation, and the promise of a stacked day of new music.
My first stop was The View, where Candar, Achilles Heel, and Peri Rae delivered a run of sets that felt like discovering three secret levels in the same game. All three acts are firmly in the go-stream-them-now category — sharp songwriting, confident delivery, and that unmistakable “this is only the beginning” energy.
Post‑set chats are one of my favourite parts of festival life. Catching artists while they’re still buzzing from the stage always brings out the best conversations — wide‑eyed, adrenaline‑laced, and full of the joy that only comes from winning over a crowd on a cliffside.
With the sun now in full attack mode, Radio Free Alice offered the perfect excuse to duck into Mordros for shade and sharp indie rock. The Melbourne outfit tore through a set that felt both urgent and effortless, the kind of performance that makes you forget you’re overheating.
I only caught part of Florence Road, but what I saw was tight, melodic, and instantly familiar. We played them on Sonic Nomads a while back, and seeing them live felt like meeting an old friend for the first time.
Then came Die Twice, who delivered what I’m calling the second‑best set of the entire weekend. They have everything: the look, the swagger, the songs, the fans, and that intangible “we’re about to blow up” aura. Their new track, possibly titled 7.99 if the setlist scribble was to be believed, was a standout.
I swung by afterwards to congratulate them, but they’d already vanished into the festival ether. Instead, I bumped into Gene Gallagher, who was prepping for his own set with Villanelle later at the Keg n’ Pasty. As you do.
Alessi Rose hit the main stage like she was born on it. Having supported Dua Lipa, she knows how to command a crowd, and her pop‑laced set was polished, confident, and full of big‑sister energy. She’s the kind of performer younger fans look up to — stylish, grounded, and clearly having the time of her life.
Back at The View, Charlie Noordewier (formerly of The Native) showcased his new band, a fresh, cohesive unit with bags of potential.
Then came Joshua Idehen, a man who could probably get a library dancing. We last saw him supporting Baxter Dury in Bristol, and he brought the same explosive charisma here. Within minutes, he had the entire crowd moving. He’s a performer who doesn’t just play to an audience, he ignites one.
Over at the main stage, The Darkness proved once again that they are eternal. Photographers were practically wrestling for pit access, and I gave up my spot so someone else could capture the madness. Good thing too, Justin Hawkins requested they stay for the next track because he’d be doing a headstand on the drum riser while waving his legs in the air. Only The Darkness could turn Watergate Bay into a glam‑rock circus.
Last year she was DJing in the Unleashed tent; this year Nia Archives brought her full Emotional Junglist show to the main stage. Backed by a live band, she stepped out from behind the decks and proved exactly why she’s become one of the UK’s most exciting jungle artists. A proper level‑up moment.
Pendulum hit Mordros like a freight train. Erratic lighting, pounding drums, relentless energy — the kind of set that reminds you why drum ’n’ bass is a physical experience. The pit was a fog of dry ice and strobe lights, and I’ll admit it: maybe I am getting old. Escaping that sensory assault felt like crawling out of a nightclub at 4am.
The day’s headliner, Lily Allen, brought her new album West End Girl to life with a theatrical performance rather than a traditional festival set. It was bold, conceptual, and clearly meaningful, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that a field full of 16‑year‑olds wanted something different after a long day in the sun. I remained firmly on the fence.
Thankfully, The Hot 8 Brass Band were waiting at The View to close the night with pure joy. Fresh from wrapping their UK tour, they turned Watergate Bay into a New Orleans street parade. Ten years since I last saw them, and they’re still one of the most uplifting live acts around. Hundreds gathered, drawn in by the irresistible pull of brass‑powered reinterpretations and infectious grooves. A perfect antidote to the lukewarm headliner.
With feet aching but spirits high, we trudged back to the van for night two. Julian was already dreading the cold after freezing the night before, so I lent him my throw and spare pillow. Short of inviting him to snuggle in — which was never going to happen — I did my best.
Day Two delivered everything: sunshine, sweat, new discoveries, future headliners, theatrical risks, and brass‑band brilliance. Boardmasters at its eclectic, unpredictable best.
Step count - 22000
Buggy Rides - 4
Food consumed - A lovely chicken burrito, some mackarel in a tomato sauce and a crap budget supermarket Pot Noodle styled snack, not so rock n’ roll!
Drinks consumed - More water, a can of cider and more of Caitlyn’s prized Capri Sun’s (I think she knew I was taking them)
With feet that felt like they’d been replaced by two bags of gravel and legs that had long since filed HR complaints, we limped heroically into the final day of Boardmasters 2026. One more sunrise, one more sprint between stages, one more day of suncream, sand and sonic chaos before we could return to the holy trinity of civilisation: comfy beds, free showers, and not having to queue for chips.
A ‘Spoons’ breakfast in town provided the necessary resurrection, and by 11am we were back through the gates, ready to squeeze every last drop out of the festival’s closing chapter.
If Boardmasters had a “most likely to become a household name” award, Tom A. Smith would have walked away with it before he even hit the first chorus. The Sunderland pocket rocket arrived beaming, fresh from a Halifax show the night before, dressed in a pink polka‑dot shirt and white braces like some glorious cross between Jarvis Cocker and Bowie. For 30 minutes he owned the entire site, parading the stage, coaxing the early crowd closer, and delivering a set so electric it felt criminally short. I’ve already backed him as the next Sam Fender, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree. Die Twice may have been my second place winner of the weekend, but Tom sprinted off with the gold medal.
Over on the main stage, Essy Sparrow, fresh from winning the Boardmasters Breaking competition, opened Day Three with a performance that made early risers feel smug and late sleepers deeply regretful. A crisp, confident set from an artist who’s clearly on the ascent.
Down at The View, 3 Days of Wonder were already mid‑flight, delivering a set drenched in 80s/90s soft‑rock nostalgia. Rocky hooks, shimmering choruses, and that warm, familiar glow of classic radio rock. Post‑show, Luke and the bassist (Josh?) sorry mate, festival brain! were buzzing. They’re deep in the studio working on new material, so keep your eyes locked on their socials.
Festival life isn’t all sunshine and riffs. Minutes before my interview with Ronniee, the universe threw a curveball: my son’s car broke down. Cue a dash to the press tent, frantic calls to breakdown cover, and the unavoidable reality that I’d miss Ronniee, Twin Skeleton and Jaws the Shark. I’ve promised to catch up with them this week
Back at Mordros, Luvcat delivered one of the most distinctive sets of the day. Her “pop noir” aesthetic, all shadowy edges and cinematic cool, landed beautifully in the tent. She owned the stage with total confidence, delivering a performance that felt both intimate and theatrical. A real standout.
At 4pm, the Keg n’ Pasty was bursting at the seams for Dublin four‑piece Basht. I somehow managed to shimmy to the front (being the svelte type), grabbed a handful of shots, and wisely evacuated before the mosh pit swallowed me whole. High‑energy, sweaty, brilliant.
Joy Crookes brought effortless neo‑soul to the main stage, her voice floating across the arena like warm smoke. Hearing tracks from her 2025 album Juniper was a genuine treat — lush, elegant, and perfectly suited to the late‑afternoon glow.
Back at Mordros, Brooke Combe proved exactly why she’s become such a festival favourite. Introduced to you at The Big Feastival in 2025, she once again delivered a set full of swagger, groove and irresistible rhythm. The tent became a dancefloor within minutes.
My third‑place performance of the entire weekend? Goldie, the 60‑year‑old drum‑and‑bass icon who still performs with the energy of someone half his age. His Mordros set was a wild, sweaty, hypnotic spectacle: drummer, percussionist, DJ, erratic lights, and Goldie himself bouncing around the stage like a man possessed. Silky, slick, chaotic brilliance.
A countdown clock lit up the main stage screens. As it ticked toward zero, the atmosphere tightened, then detonated.
Kasabian burst into Clubfoot and the entire arena erupted. Serge, now fully established as frontman after the band’s major lineup shift, commanded the stage with absolute authority. Lights strobed, the crowd surged, and Boardmasters 2026 ended not with a whimper but with a full‑scale sonic firestorm.
Twelve years covering this festival, and it still finds new ways to outdo itself. Roll on 2027 — if they’ll have us!
A massive shoutout to the Jukebox PR team (Chris1, Chris2 and Jess) for keeping the press crew sane, hydrated and vaguely functional. To the security team, especially Billy and Luka for being endlessly friendly. To Natalie, who spent most of the weekend stationed outside the press tent like a guardian angel. And to Steve on the main stage gate, who is basically part of the Boardmasters furniture at this point.
Kudos to Dan Pascoe and the BBC Introducing team, Reece and Lucy from Whisper Magazine, Kieran and Tom from CLUNK, Caitlyn and Sam and our North Eastern chum who spent all weekend camped in the Day parking area, top work my friend!
I’d best thank my partner in crime, Julian Baird for sticking with me for the weekend, braving the cold in the van (he did forget his bedding) and for putting up with my constant interruptions in the press tent, nice one bruvva!
Good people, all of them. Stay safe, and we’'ll see you next year.
Step count - 18000
Buggy Rides - 5
Food consumed - A selection of Greek goodies in a box, an expensive Pot Noodle snack, half of a knock-off TWIX bar, a handful of nuts and raisins and a cheeky Maccie D’s on the way home at Cornwall Services!
Drinks consumed - Water, Water, Water, a can of peach beer, a cider and maybe a couple of Caitlyn’s prized Capri Sun’s (She deffo knew it was me but was too polite to mention it) - Love ya Caitlyn!
Pictures - © Julian Baird
Words - Steve Muscutt
