Moovin Festival Kicks Off 2026 with Huge Phase One Announcement
Heavyweights including Groove Armada, Gilles Peterson, Nightmares On Wax and 2manydjs lead the first wave of artists announced for Moovin Festival, set to take over the stage in June 2026.
Heavyweights including Groove Armada, Gilles Peterson, Nightmares On Wax and 2manydjs lead the first wave of artists announced for Moovin Festival, set to take over the stage in June 2026.
The much-loved Moovin Festival returns to its idyllic setting of the Whitebottom Farm this summer on 12 – 14 June 2026, armed with a packed phase one line-up. True to its expansive form, the first announcement brings a fine balance of bona fide legends, pioneering tastemakers, live acts and underground favorites, who are all primed to soundtrack three days of open-air celebration in one of the UK’s most picturesque festival settings.
Set against the woodland backdrops and the flowing River Etherow, the natural amphitheater of Whitebottom Farm will transform into a vibrant playground of sound systems and immersive stage designs come June 2026.
The 2026 edition sees something special at the top of the bill as two former Moovin headliners unite on the same line-up: Groove Armada and 2manydjs. Both have previously torn the roof off the Barn Stage in their own right and now they return together to headline what promises to be one of the standout sessions of the weekend. They’ll perform DJ sets inside the unique Barn Stage, a converted cow barn that this year takes on a new DJ-led format and refreshed look. Complete with the usual first-class production, this year the promoters transform it into “the ultimate rave den.”
Moovin’s rich eclecticism runs deep through the rest of the bill. Gilles Peterson, Nightmares On Wax and Quantic bring color, soul and global rhythm. A serious nod to the heads comes from Danilo Plessow (aka Motor City Drum Ensemble) – a booking that speaks volumes. A selector’s selector, revered by diggers worldwide, his appearance marks a huge moment for lovers of deep and beautifully curated house music, and Moovin hints there’s plenty more of this caliber still to be announced.
They’re joined by musical encyclopaedia Luke Una and Moovin favorite Mr. Scruff, whose legendary daytime sets have become a festival highlight over the years, drawing huge crowds for those feel-good field sessions. Add disco pioneer Greg Wilson, celebrating 50 years behind the decks with a special set, and the ever-classy Dan Shake, and you have a dream run for anyone who likes their dance music with depth, character and heritage.
Talking of heritage and adding serious Manchester energy is a rare performance from original Haçienda residents Mike Pickering and Graeme Park. They’re joined across the weekend by DJ Paulette, Mark XTC, K-Klass and Justin Robertson, who reinforce Moovin’s deep northern roots and club culture credentials.
Live highlights include Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na performing with a brand-new, full live band, alongside acid jazz pioneers Galliano, whose fusion of jazz, funk, soul and dancefloor energy helped define a generation. DRS brings his powerful Live Band project, Ozric Tentacles add their unmistakable psychedelic prog-rock energy, and Mungo’s Hi-Fi return with their robust sound system pressure, which is guaranteed to knock your festival wellies off.
More new additions to the Moovin family are Manchester’s fast-rising Porij, blending nu-jazz, house, funk and art-pop flair, along with South Africa’s electrifying Moonchild Sanelly, bringing her bold fusion of kwaito, hip-hop, amapiano, dancehall and funk to the farm for the first time.
Drum & bass and jungle are strongly represented with Micky Finn, Nicky Blackmarket, Brockie, Dr Meaker and DRS, the first wave of acts announced from that world, with more notable names still to follow. Party-rocking energy comes courtesy of Freestylers, Jaguar Skills, Plump DJs, Xpress 2, Utah Saints and Soul Of Man, while hip-hop flavor arrives via A.Skillz and resident DMC scratch champion DJ Woody, all shaping up for a seriously well-rounded weekend celebration.
Beyond the names, Moovin’s real magic lies in discovery. The festival proudly champions emerging talent alongside established icons, creating those unexpected moments you stumble across between Barn sessions and the other four stages.
No VIP areas. No corporate gloss. Just cutting-edge sound systems, holistic healing, yoga, circus performers, warm crowds and a touch of that 90s free-party spirit, all wrapped in an intentionally limited capacity that keeps the atmosphere intimate and inclusive.
This is just phase one, with more names from big hitters to local heroes and rising stars still to come, so keep an eye out for more announcements on Moovin Festival’s website.
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