Newport Music Trail 2026 Announces Eclectic Headline Acts for Free City-Wide Festival
The vibrant city of Newport is gearing up for an extraordinary musical celebration in 2026, with the Newport Music Trail confirming an impressive line-up of headline acts that promises to captivate audiences across multiple venues. This free festival, scheduled for the weekend of March 27th and 28th, will showcase a diverse array of musical talent, with a particular emphasis on celebrating local and Welsh artists.
Star-Studded Headliners to Lead the Musical Charge
Taking centre stage as the festival's headline attractions are three distinctive acts that perfectly embody the trail's eclectic spirit. Goldie Lookin' Chain, the renowned comedy rap and hip hop band that originated in Newport, will bring their unique brand of humour and rhythm to the event. They will be joined by Melin Melyn, a Welsh group celebrated for their innovative fusion of psychedelic, country, and progressive rock sounds. Completing the headline trio is the critically acclaimed solo artist Gwenno, whose mesmerising performances seamlessly weave between English, Welsh, and Cornish languages, offering a truly multilingual musical experience.
An Extensive Roster of Supporting Talent Across Iconic Venues
The festival's musical offerings extend far beyond the headliners, with an extensive supporting cast set to perform across Newport's most beloved venues. Leading the venue line-up are The Corn Exchange, Le Pub, The Riverfront, St Woolos Cathedral, The Circle, The Cab, and McCanns. Audiences can look forward to performances from a wide range of artists including Georgia Ruth, HMS Morris, Afro Cluster, Yaang, Ynys, Source, Twst, Mari Mathias, and Lady Leshurr. Additionally, the line-up features Bad Sam, Bruna Garcia, DJ 10sion, Half Happy, Matt Le Vi, Parcs, and Xempa, alongside many more exciting acts yet to be announced.
A Free Festival Celebrating Community and Culture
The Newport Music Trail is designed as a completely free event, allowing music lovers to drift effortlessly between performances and venues, much like navigating the stages of a traditional festival. Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for communications and culture, expressed her enthusiasm, stating: "Following the huge success of last year's music trail, I can't wait to see the city's venues full of people enjoying the line-up of amazing musical talent and experiencing what Newport has to offer." She extended gratitude to partners at FOCUS Wales for their instrumental role in securing what she described as "such an epic line-up!"
Family Activities and Culinary Delights Enhance the Experience
Beyond the live music, the Newport Music Trail will offer a variety of family-friendly workshops and tours throughout the day, ensuring the event is accessible and enjoyable for all ages. John Frost Square will transform into a hub of activity, featuring delicious street food vendors to accompany the live musical performances, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city centre.
To stay informed about the latest updates and view full venue line-ups, the organisers encourage the public to follow the Newport Music Trail on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as visiting the official website for comprehensive information.
