Y Not? Festival 2026 is here; Thursday, day one. The campers have arrived en masse, the weather is glorious, and the gorgeous Peak District landscape looks stunning.
The Greenview Farm, Pikehall site is spick and span and ready for action and to welcome the circa 40,000 people daily capacity cross the four days. The sold out 19th edition of Y Not?, which has become an unmissable fixture in the North’s music calendar and renowned for its quality line-ups.
Music fans have travelled from all over the UK and overseas for this annual bash since 2005. It began life as an over-spilling house party in “deepest” Derbyshire; and Y Not has stayed homegrown and true to its roots ever since.
This year the punchy lineup is headlined by The Libertines, Reytons, Two Door Cinema Club and The Streets. Plus a heck of a tasty supporting cast across the four days.
Thursday’s day one activities started with big queues of eager punters, first on the roads leading to the site and then for entry to the campsite which opened at noon. The main arena, “Big Gin”opened at 4pm and first up on stage is Human Interest, a London band who did a good job.
The Libertines headline to close day one. The Big Gin arena is packed and the band take to the stage to a recording of the late Bonnie Tyler’s epic 1983 hit, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”.
Peter Doherty first on stage, whipping off his flat cap towards the crowd, with a hearty “Hello Derbyshire”. The sun setting just before they came on, creating a warm glow behind the stage and Pete, Carl, Jon and Gary in really fine form. A great way to finish off the perfect first day of Y Not? Festival 2026.
Deco. This superb band are still on the rise; a band this magazine tipped back in 2022 and after their set today at Y Not?, nothing to dent that prediction. Donning matching black and white gear, one of the most enjoyable moment of their set was third song, their cover of The Verve’s iconic “Bittersweet Symphony”, which won loud applause.
At 6.30pm, the turn of Hard-Fi on the main stage. Frontman Richard Archer looking cool in his blue poncho-style clobber. They played new release “Digo Nada”, with Richard telling the crowd, “You’ll notice that this doesn’t sound like our usual stuff. And for those early people on the mushrooms, this isn’t a tiny guitar”, referring to his ukulele!
Over at the second stage The Pit, housed inside a big tent [which feels like an upgrade to last year’s big top setting for this stage], Leeds band The Slates brought their A-game; powerful and full of energy and urgency, the place was rammed and lots of the band’s tee shirts on show in the crowd.
They have completed a sold out UK tour, signed to This Feeling Records and smashed it at Brighton’s Great Escape and Bridlington’s This Feeling By The Sea festival. Expect a lot more to come from these lads.
Ash are up next, with the veteran band’s frontman Tim Wheeler revealing: “Some people they tell us they got married or lost their virginity to our songs”. TMI Tim”.
The band from Northern Ireland formed 34 years ago and have released nine studio albums, the most recent being 2025’s “Ad Astra”. The trio is made up of Tim, Mark Hamilton on bass and Ric McMurray on drums.
Opening the main stage at 4.30pm, was East London band Human Interest, formed during the Covid pandemic, bringing to life songs penned by Cat Harrison. Between guitarist Harrison and bassist Tyler Damara Kelly, there’s an infectious joy beating at the heart of moody rock ’n’ roll songs. They are ones to watch and went down well at Y Not.
Watch out for our coverage of Friday, Saturday and Sunday coming soon…
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