Britpop veterans Ash and Manchester indie-pop act Pale Waves are the confirmed headline acts for Rising North, an alternative music festival running across Lerwick, Shetland, from 13 to 16 August 2026. The main headline shows take place at the transformed Clickimin leisure complex, with Pale Waves topping the bill on the night of 14 August 2026 and Ash closing the festival on 15 August 2026. Organisers say they expect roughly 1,000 attendees at each of the two headline nights.
According to the Shetland tourism board's events listing, Ash are named as the 2026 headliner, while Shetland News reported that Ash were the first headliner announced for the year, confirmed for the Saturday-night slot at the Clickimin. The same outlet later reported that Pale Waves were added as the second headliner, set to top the Friday bill, in a separate report on the lineup announcement.
Who else is performing at Rising North?
A total of 41 acts are scheduled to perform across the festival, spanning genres from folk and metal to funk and pop. A fuller rundown of the supporting bill published by Festival Pro's industry listing names acts including The Dirty Lemons, The Plonkys, Essykert, No Sweat, The Revellers, First Foot Soldiers, Black 8s, Chugg, Ten Tonne Dozer, Marackled, Quorum, Distinctly Mediocrre, Rack & Ruin, Katanes, Big Time Quell and Joking Aside. Festival director David Bisset has said the majority of performers are local artists, and organisers hope the exposure will help them grow their profile while giving them the chance to meet and learn from the touring headliners.
What have the headline acts said about performing there?
Ash frontman Tim Wheeler said the band would be visiting Shetland for the first time and enjoys the unpredictability of playing festivals in unfamiliar settings.
You never quite know what it's going to be like. There's an element of surprise.
We've played small marquees and huge outdoor stages. We're very adaptable.
Wheeler acknowledged that reaching Shetland from his home in London would be
