To celebrate 10 years of indie and alternative news and lifestyle website Louder Than War, one of the UK’s most influential independent platforms for music and culture, founder, musician and writer John Robb is launching Louder Than War Live.
The inaugural festival will take place on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Manchester Academy 2, 3 and Club Academy, headlined by Sea Power (formerly British Sea Power). A full bill of artists, including Pale Blue Eyes, Evil Blizzard, Benefit and House of All, will perform across three stages inside the venue, making it easy for audiences to catch as many acts as possible.
For over a decade, Louder Than War has been a cultural force at the heart of the UK’s alternative music world ~ spotlighting new bands, celebrating underground scenes and shaping conversations about what music can be. Now Louder Than War Live promises to be the “physical manifestation of that spirit,” bringing the site’s passion for fearless, maverick music into a one-day, multi-stage festival.
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Reflecting the diverse and boundary-pushing music championed across the Louder Than War website, the festival brings together loved bands old and new, giving fans the chance to celebrate long-time favourites alongside new artists the team is passionate for audiences to discover.
TV pop-culture soundbite regular Robb said: “We’re thrilled to get Sea Power to headline the first Louder Than War festival because not only have we been writing about them since they started but their thrilling, game-changing musical sense of adventure reflects everything we stand for on the website.
“For us music has always been louder than war, so it makes complete sense not just to write about the magic stuff but to have a festival and showcase a cross section of bands, old, new, borrowed and blue that we embrace.”
“This is the first of what will be an annual event – a place to share our music and values with you, the readers, and to hang out together with a great soundtrack.”
The line-up for Louder Than War Live 2026 includes: Sea Power, Pale Blue Eyes, House of All, Evil Blizzard, Benefits, Immersion, Plantoid, The Empty Page, The Dirt, The Sick Man of Europe, White Magic for Lovers, Erotic Secrets of Pompeii and The DSM IV. More announcements soon.
Tickets are on general sale now.
