ALTER BRIDGE's BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL is a brand new rock festival happening at Cardiff Castle in June 2026. The festival will feature a monumental lineup including ALTER BRIDGE, SKINDRED, and more. Find out how to get tickets and what to expect from this exciting event!
ALTER BRIDGE's BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL at Cardiff Castle in June 2026
A brand new rock festival is landing in the heart of Wales – and it's set to make some serious noise.
On Saturday 27th June, 2026, the grounds of Cardiff Castle will be shaken to their foundations as ALTER BRIDGE's inaugural BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL bursts onto the scene with a monumental lineup the global rock heavyweights will headline.
Tickets go on general sale from 9:30am Friday 22nd August via blackbirdfest.com and Ticketmaster with a range of presales kicking off from 9:30am on Tuesday 19th August via depotlive.co.uk/blackbirdfestival2026.
Key Moments for ALTER BRIDGE
Launching their own festival marks a key moment for ALTER BRIDGE – not just as a celebration of their legacy, but as a bold step into curating their own live experience, bringing together a handpicked lineup of artists and connecting with fans in a whole new way.
ALTER BRIDGE Legacy
With more than two decades under their belts, ALTER BRIDGE continue to carve their name deeper into rock history. Known for their thunderous live shows, searing dual guitars, and unforgettable melodies, the Florida-formed four piece – Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitar), Mark Tremonti (guitar/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums) – have played to millions worldwide and earned a reputation as one of the most consistent and respected names in modern rock.
Return to Welsh Stages
Now, after more than seven years away from Welsh stages, they're coming back with something big.
'We realised we haven’t played Wales in over seven years,' says Myles Kennedy. 'To make up for lost time, we thought it would be cool to do something extra special. So with that said, we are stoked to announce The Blackbird Festival. Not only does this commemorate 20-plus years of being a band, but it's also a way to show our appreciation for the fans in Wales who've patiently waited for our return.'
Special Guests and Lineup
Joining ALTER BRIDGE as very special guests are none other than SKINDRED, the unstoppable Welsh heroes whose unique blend of metal, reggae, punk and riotous energy has made them a live favourite across the globe. Expect nothing short of total carnage when Benji Webbe and co. hit the stage on home turf.
Also set to perform are rising Welsh powerhouse trio FLORENCE BLACK, known for their heavy-hitting anthems and gritty, melodic swagger, and the soul-infused, arena-ready sounds of CARDINAL BLACK, whose star continues to rise at rocket speed.
Fans eager to be part of the first-ever BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL can get tickets and all the latest updates via blackbirdfest.com and official social media pages.
New Album Release
ALTER BRIDGE will release their new, self-titled, eighth studio album via Napalm Records on January 9th, 2026.
Produced once again by longtime collaborator Michael 'Elvis' Baskette, the record promises to deliver the powerful, emotionally driven sound the band is known for – just in time to fuel a triumphant return to UK & European stages for the group's previously announced Spring 2026 headline arena run. The album was recorded over two months at the legendary 5150 Studios in California and Baskette's studio in Florida.
Album pre-orders are available now at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.
Event Details and Partners
Blackbird Festival 2026 is presented as part of TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.
- DEPOT Live is the live events arm of The DEPOT, Cardiff's most creative events venue (est. 2015).
- Cuffe & Taylor is one of the UK's top live music, theatre and event promoters.
Together, they promise an unforgettable experience at ALTER BRIDGE's BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL in June 2026.
Published on 17 August 2025 by Ben Robinson
