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Award-nominated independent rock and metal festival, Takedown Festival, has today unveiled the headliners for its 2026 edition.
The festival returns to Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday 3rd April and Saturday 4th April 2026, once again bringing a packed weekend of heavy music to the south coast.
This year’s event will be headlined by PRESIDENT, marking their first ever festival headline slot. The mysterious masked collective have quickly built a reputation as one of the most exciting and unpredictable new forces in heavy music. At Takedown 2026, they step into the headline spotlight for what promises to be the most defining performance of their career to date.
Takedown Festival has announced Therapy? as the Friday night headliner for the 2026 edition. The announcement comes after Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons had to withdraw from the line-up due to an ongoing medical condition. Speaking on the announcement, Kai Harris of Takedown Festival Ltd shares, “As you will have heard, Phil Campbell has sadly had to withdraw from this year’s event. Phil’s health and family comes first of course and we are sure you will join all of us at Takedown Festival in wishing him a speedy recovery. We are super grateful and beyond excited to announce a band very dear to our hearts that will be filling Phil Campbell & The Bastards sons very large boots. The very first band I saw at a big venue 34 years ago, purveyors of the finest bouncy riffage and hooks to die for, the mighty… THERAPY?”
16th March 2026 update:
It is with immense sadness that we share the news of the passing of Phil Campbell, our beloved Friday headliner and a true legend of the rock community.
Phil had withdrawn from the festival last week due to ongoing health issues, and we were all wishing him strength and a full recovery. His loss has come as a profound shock to everyone here at Takedown.
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt love go out to the bastard sons Todd, Dane and Tyla during this incredibly difficult time. We ask our entire Takedown family to join us in sending them love and support.
Rest in power, Phil. Your music, your spirit, and your legacy will live on forever. We will raise a glass for you on April 3rd!
Current Line-Up:
Kai and Sarah Harris of Takedown Festival Ltd share, “We’re proud to officially launch Takedown Festival 2026,” said co-directors Sarah and Kai Harris. “This year’s event taps into a powerful moment in metal culture. With younger fans rediscovering the roots of heavy music—especially following the passing of icons like Ozzy Osbourne—we’re honoured to have Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons headline Friday 3rd April with a full Motörhead set. It’s a chance to celebrate a legacy that continues to inspire across generations.”
“On Saturday 4th April, we’re handing the reins to President, one of the most talked-about new acts in UK heavy music. Their April ‘Campaign Trail’ tour sold out instantly, and their debut EP King of Terrors has struck a chord with fans through its cinematic intensity. Their headline set will be a statement, and we’re excited to see them take the Takedown main stage in full force.”
“We’re excited to be able to showcase the evolution of heavy music from (to quote Lemmy) Motorhead’s rock n roll all the way through to cutting edge contemporary alternative metal”