Infest Festival 2026 - All the Info!
- Canis Lewis
- 6 hours ago
- 13 min read
Everything you need to know and want to know, for Infest 2026 in one place!
(Best viewed on PC or Tablet)
Welcome once again to the annual Infest Festival article, there are a lot of fantastic acts this year and it's wonderful to see so many women taking to the Infest stage this year!
Infest has consistently introduced me to bands that I ended up adoring there and then, and in true fashion I expect it to do the same for many of you this year as well.
The new venue at Manchester Academy is perfect, having enjoyed it last year, it is ideal for access needs, breathing space, roomy shop space, multiple places to party, and overall an electric atmosphere!
Much love to the other festivals Elektro Vox works with such as Resistanz, Valhalla, and of course the wonderful legends of Beat:Cancer!
If you don't have a ticket yet, click HERE or the above banner for tickets!
What you can find here:
Set List times
Band + DJ info (And my usual recommendations!)
Official Infest 2026 playlists
Pure love for everyone attending Infest 2026!
Playlist
Nearly 8 hours worth of great tunes!
Set Times
* = Elektro Vox's must see recommendations
** = E.V's Overall must see recommendations
(?!) = E.V's most curious to discover recommendations
532 Bar & Kitchen = // Bar
Academy 2 (Red Room) = // Two
Club Academy (Basement) = // Club
FRIDAY – 21st AUGUST
1400 – Doors
1400 – 532 Bar Open
1400 – Foyer Cafe & Sushi Bar Opens
1500 – 532 Kitchen Opens
1445 – 1630 – B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West Berlin // Bar
1630 – 1700 – Mark Reeder Live Q&A // Bar
1730 – 1800 – FIS TING // Club (?!)
1815 – 1845 – Owls // Two
1900 – 1940 – Wavepeak // Club *
2000 – 2045 – ghostbells // Two **
2100 – 2145 – Lovelorn Dolls // Club *
2200 – 2305 – Louisahhh // Two *
2300 – 0300 – Club Floor DJ Zombie Chris DJ Ray The Binman
23:00 – 0300 – Bar Floor DJ X Edinburgh DJ SuchHorrors Manchester
2230 – Kitchen Closes
2330 – Merch Closes
0300 – Curfew
SATURDAY – 22nd AUGUST
1400 – Doors
1400 – 532 Bar Open
1400 – Foyer Cafe & Sushi Bar Opens
1400 – Market Opens
1500 – 532 Kitchen Opens
1500 – 1540 – Bein-E // Bar
1600 – 1630 – The Dirt // Club
1700 – 1730 – The Gospel // Two
1800 – 1845 – Human Steel // Club
1915 – 2000 – NNHMN // Two *
2030 – 2115 – Aux Animaux // Club
2145 – 2300 – Utah Saints // Two
2300 – 03:00 – Club Floor DJ Mark Reeder Church of Madness DJs
2300 – 03:00 – Bar Floor DJ Ali*DJ Big Nick B
2100 – Market Closes
2230 – Kitchen Closes
2330 – Merch Closes
0300 – Curfew
SUNDAY – 23rd AUGUST
1330 – Doors1330 – Charity Tea Party & Book Launch Opens
1330 – Foyer Cafe & Sushi Bar Opens
1400 – 532 Bar Open
1500 – 532 Kitchen Opens
1430 – 1510 – Tr4nsients // Bar
1530 – 1600 – Pretty Addicted // Club *
1630 – 1700 – Holy Braille // Two
1730 – 1815 – Sylvgeist Maelstrom // Club
1845 – 1930 – Potochkine // Two *
1935 – 1950 – Nexus Fitz // Bar
2000 – 2045 – Agnis // Club *
2115 – 2230 – IAMX // Two *
22:30 – 02:00 – Club Floor DJs Gillywoo & Ared & RLex
22:30 – 02:00 – Bar Floor DJs Miss Jinny & Bedlam Brian DJs Simon Briggs & Mark Walker
2100 – Market Closes
2100 – Kitchen Closes
2300 – Merch Closes
0200 – Curfew
Next up:
Band info (In order of play)
STOP A MOMENT!
Please consider donating or fundraising for Beyond Reflections who supply an essential service to so many.
www.beyond-reflections.org.uk @BeyondReflectUK
Their support really does save lives!
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We also support our good friends at Beat:Cancer, you can click the logo to donate and also keep up to date with their awesome music events on the B:C website!
Friday
FIS TING
Elektro Vox's most curious to discover recommendation
...A two woman dance floor wrecking crew, the brutal industrial techno project of Jessie (Cacophant) and Angela (_tenebrate).
Their sound is an assault to the senses, merging the dense rhythmic noise of _tenebrate with the crushing beats and hard grooves of Cacophant, backed by eye-melting visual mayhem.
Known for their unrelenting live performances, FISTING deliver bone-shaking kicks, industrial rhythms, and searing noise that will tear your face off. Using an array of hardware samplers, drum machines and effects to drive their punishing beats, they create pummelling textural soundscapes designed to keep dance floors moving and audiences screaming, “I LOVE FISTING!!”
Echoing the sonic brutality of artists like Ministry, Gorgoroth, Nine Inch Nails, The Body, and Strapping Young Lad, they draw on their love of the atmospheric pounding from producers such as [KRTM], Angerfist, and Krista Bourgeois to build their heavy sound into a relentless techno onslaught.
An electronic onslaught of crunchy electronics by FIS TING is one that I've no doubt the Infest crowd will love!
OWLS
O₩LS is a synthpunk / darkwave project from Longford, Ireland, drawing on post-punk and goth traditions. Blending sharp electronic production with stark beats and spectral synths, the music explores themes of mortality and impermanence with a reflective, intimate edge.
Live, O₩LS delivers focused, immersive performances and has shared stages with acts such as Selofan, Patriarchy and Night in Athens, building a strong reputation within the darkwave and alternative underground.
Catch O₩LS live at INFEST — dark electronics with nowhere to hide.
Wavepeak
Elektro Vox's Friday MUST SEE artist recommendation
(1 of 3)
Wavepeak is an industrial duo from Connecticut, USA, focusing on grinding beats, heavy basslines and screeching leads. By drawing upon influences such as EBM, 90s Industrial and Rhythmic Noise, they forge a crushing soundtrack for the modern condition. Having supported acts such as Hocico, iVardensphere and Circuit Preacher, Wavepeak's live sets have proven to be rhythmically relentless dance floor fillers.
//Crushing//
Crafted by Jason Becker and Dennis McLaughlin from distortion and horror, Wavepeak creates hard sounds for the moral terror of the Technocracy age.
//Occult//
Check out their album "Occult" and the double A-side "DOPAMINEFEEDBACK / Seance" - Wavepeak’s music combines intense, immersive textures rooted in industrial techno, rhythmic noise and shadowy electronics.
ghostbells Elektro Vox's overall DO NOT MISS recommendation of all Infest 2026!
ghostbells is a glowingly dark new-wave–meets–EBM electronic music duo known for their brooding soundscapes, haunting melodies, and driving dance beats. Inspired by the depths of the underground electronic scene, their music fuses icy synths, pulsing basslines, reverb-soaked guitars, and melancholic lyricism into a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking.
ghostbells’ music invites listeners into a shadowy world where nostalgia and modernity collide, offering an emotional journey through darkness and light, converging in perfect dissonance.
Relaxing electronics with an edge of intensity in the poignant lyrics one moment, to arm waving catch beat the next. Reminiscent of the Birthday Massacre this make ghostbells my no 1 choice this year!
Lovelorn Dolls Elektro Vox's Friday MUST SEE artist recommendation (2 of 3)
Lovelorn Dolls is a synth goth rock project from Brussels, Belgium, known for blending haunting melodies, heavy guitars, and catchy synths into a theatrical and emotional sound. Fronted by the powerful and expressive voice of Kristell Lowagie, and shaped by the edgy compositions of Bernard Daubresse, the band draws inspiration from gothic rock, darkwave, and 90s alternative music. Their universe is deeply visual—where horror meets pop culture, and melancholy wears glitter.
Often compared to acts like The Birthday Massacre or Marilyn Manson, Lovelorn Dolls stands out with a unique identity mixing drama, darkness, and cinematic flair.
Since their debut album The House of Wonders (2012), they’ve released 4 albums and several EPs through the iconic Belgian label Alfa Matrix, building a loyal following in the European dark music scene. Their latest work dives into the chilling world of true crime stories, merging storytelling with a haunting atmosphere.
Energetic, smooth, catchy, and full of positive Gothic dance energy. One to catch for sure!
Louisahhh Elektro Vox's Friday MUST SEE artist recommendation
(3 of 3)
Over the last two decades, Louisahhh has focused on the evolution of her craft as a producer, performer and DJ.
Hailing from the filthy bar basements and broken sound systems of early 2000s NYC, Louisahhh’s career trajectory has spanned celebrated festival stages including Sonar, Dour and ADE, renowned clubs such as Trésor, Razzmatazz and Fabric, and even the runways of Versace and Stella McCartney.
Equal parts punk rock and raw techno, high fashion and high priestess, feral rhythm and warrior queen, Louisahhh effortlessly straddles genres and scenes with integrity and delight.
Whether as a DJ, front woman of LOUISAHHH LIVE BAND, or as part of the dynamic collaboration with creative partner Maelstrom, her powerful voice and ferocious stage presence are undeniable — infectious from the mosh pit to the dance floor.
Hailed by NPR as “the missing link between Nine Inch Nails and Yeah Yeah Yeahs”, Louisahhh continues her creative evolution in 2024 with a solo hybrid show, merging her trademark “defiant, barbed-wire techno” (Resident Advisor) DJ sets with “brutal and brazen” (Paper Magazine) live vocals.
Multiple genres from techno, to heartbreak synths, this is a brilliant choice for the headline act Friday!
Saturday
Beine-E
Bein-E fuse ambient, industrial and noise into potent, immersive soundscapes, delivering heartbreak and the fury of hope in equal measure. Formed by Simon and Tiffanie, ex-partners who first experimented with making music while together, the pair refused to abandon that creative spark after their breakup. Their name reflects both the emotional tension between them and the deliberate sense of unease their work evokes in audiences.
Bein-E channel this interpersonal friction, along with an unflinching commitment to brutally honest self-examination, to explore powerful emotional themes through dark, unsettling electronic compositions. Now expanded to a four-piece, with Kark adding further synths and visuals and Tom bringing an extra dimension to the vocal performances, Bein-E’s live shows range from eerie, whispered ambience to snarling, proto-industrial intensity.
The Dirt
The Dirt are a Pennines-based, genre-bending UK–Japan marital duo forging a raw, immersive hybrid of electronics and live instrumentation. Combining driving electro drum beats, effected guitar loops, oscillating synths and vocals, their sound moves between post-industrial pulse, fractured psych and hypnotic noise-laden atmospheres.
// Energetic Stage Performance //
With two studio albums — Agitator and Monkeypunch — behind them and now in their fifth year as a live act, The Dirt have relentlessly toured the UK’s alternative gig and festival circuit, alongside a recent run of shows in Japan. Known for their high-energy, confrontational performances, they’ve built a growing underground following drawn to their intense, physical live presence and uncompromising sonic identity.
The Gospel
The Gospel are a UK based cinematic goth band. Infusing ornate arrangements with vintage grittiness that oozes from 1970s analogue synthesizers, their otherworldly music deftly traverses the void between Nick Cave and Goldfrapp.
Fronted by L.A. renegade Jimmy Sweet with an all star female band featuring Danni McCormack (Mel from hit 90’s TV series ‘My Parents Are Aliens’), Charis Anderson (Curse Of Lono), Sinead Bales (The Courtesans), Aze Corleone (Poussez Posse) and Saffire Sanchez (The Courtesans).
Based in Manchester, The Gospel recently launched themselves onto the scene with a string of live dates, attracting an ecstatic review from Louder Than War’s John Robb who praised: “The music is mind-blowing…it feels like The Gospel are going to be making a big noise soon”.
Human Steel
HUMAN STEEL are two seasoned musicians from Poland and Germany who embody international friendship, blending electronic elements with live drums to create a powerful, mechanical yet energetic sound that’s irresistibly danceable.
The project was founded by songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist Wojciech Gierowski, driven by his lifelong passion for electronic music. His songs hit hard and often surprise with striking breaks and tempo changes. The lyrics are mostly in English, with one track each in German and Polish.
After a long creative break and a steady search for the right collaborator, Wojciech teamed up with drummer Christoph “Nook” Michelfeit in early 2023 – a familiar face on the scene. Over the years, Nook has performed with Die Krupps, Project Pitchfork, Bhambhamhara, Heavy-Current, Scheuber, and appeared as a guest musician with Canadian act Ayria.
NNHMN Elektro Vox's Saturday MUST SEE artist recommendation
Berlin-based dark electronic duo NNHMN blend haunting vocals, hypnotic rhythms and analogue synth textures into an immersive sound that sits somewhere between darkwave, post-punk, EBM and dark disco. Having performed at festivals including Primavera Sound, Grauzone and Nuits Sonores, and becoming one of the few darkwave acts to play Berlin's legendary Berghain, they arrive at Infest with a reputation for captivating dancefloors across the world.
Like a mix between Promenade Cinema and Human League (At least to my ears), this Techno set is sure to win everyone over!
Aux Animaux
Aux Animaux is a darkwave artist based in Stockholm, Sweden. Her songs draw inspiration from 80s darkwave and goth bands, as well as occultism and horror movies.
Born and raised in Istanbul, aux animaux is a self-taught musician who worked as a professional bass guitarist for several years before moving to Sweden. With aux animaux, she produces and mixes all her own music. On stage, she sings while alternating between theremin and bass guitar. The theremin, which she considers her source of sorcery, is the only instrument played without physical contact.
Utah Saints
Electronic pioneers Utah Saints are confirmed for INFEST. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, the duo helped shape UK rave culture with their innovative use of sampling and crossover dance anthems including Something Good and What Can You Do for Me.
Renowned for their energy and longevity, Utah Saints continue to deliver powerful shows that connect the roots of UK club culture with contemporary electronic performance.
Sunday
tr4nsients(s)
tr4nsients is the latest project from AlexC, co-host of Ambient Leeds and a member of the crew at Infest Festival. Originally conceived eight years ago under a different name, the project began as an exploration of the human condition.
A Dystopian, Emotional Landscape
In its current form, tr4nsients explores the subtle shifts of fleeting details, emotions and events that make up each passing moment. The sound has been described by Measured Lag as dark, post-Boards of Canada cinematic electro, unfolding at mostly downtempo rhythms. Layered with archival video footage, the music evokes a dystopian emotional landscape.
tr4nsients invites listeners to immerse themselves in moments that are both intimate and unsettling, offering a contemplative soundtrack to the quiet, subconscious drift of modern life.
Pretty Addicted Elektro Vox's Sunday MUST SEE artist recommendation
(1 of 4)
Returning from a seven-month creative hibernation, Pretty Addicted are set to unleash an entirely new chapter at Infest. Blending rave, metal, drum & bass, industrial and electronic influences into their unique "Blackened Rave" sound, the duo will bring a powerful new live set packed with fresh material, raw emotion and unrelenting energy.
Vicious returns with the most powerful, brutal, and impressive evolution of Pretty Addicted so far.
Speed, aggression, and vocals pushed so hard the rest of us would tear our chords, make sure you watch the brilliant new Blackened Raved chapter of Pretty Addicted!
Holy Braille
We were very disappointed they couldn't appear at Infest 2025 due to health issues, and thrilled they can join us in 2026!
Holy Braille is a darkwave electronic duo from Sunderland, known for a harshwave and computer-punk approach built on abrasive synth textures and sharply defined rhythms. Formed in 2017, the project centres on Elliot, who crafts the production and instrumentation, and Steph, whose vocals cut through the mix with clarity and intent.
Harshwave
Their debut single Dog Dias set the tone for a catalogue that includes Bad Taste, Murder She Spoke, Tomorrow’s Milk Today and Perfect Darkness. Across these releases, Holy Braille develop a sound rooted in darkwave, harshwave and electronic music, driven by analogue synths, heavy percussion and insistent bass lines.
Computer-Punk
On stage, Holy Braille have earned a reputation for intense, tightly delivered performances that resonate strongly within the underground scene. Their shows highlight the immediacy of their music and the collaborative dynamic between Elliot and Steph, who continue to push their work forward both live and in the studio.
Sylvgheist Maelstrom
Prepare to be shaken to the core. Sylvgheist Maëlström is bringing his unmistakable brand of relentless electro-industrial intensity to our stage this year. Known for seismic rhythms, stark sound design and a powerful visual presence, his live sets immerse audiences in a world shaped by natural and industrial upheaval.
With acclaimed releases on Connexion Bizarre and HANDS Productions — including the latest album Grieve — Sylvgheist Maëlström has become a defining force in the darker corners of electronic music. His performances at WGT, Ombra Festival, Maschinenfest and Forms of Hands have earned him a reputation for precision, impact and atmosphere.
This will be one for the true devotees of uncompromising electronic power.
Potochkine Elektro Vox's Sunday MUST SEE artist recommendation (2 of 4)
Potochkine is a French dark electronic project based in Paris. The duo of Pauline Alcaïdé and Hugo Sempé blend EBM, darkwave, techno, and synthpunk into a powerful, theatrical experience. Their music is a kind of dark poetry transforming stages into immersive, ritual-like environments. With albums such as Mythes (2019), Sortilèges (2021) and the forthcoming Sang d’Encre (2025), Potochkine have become a fixture at major dark European festivals, known for their intense and unique live shows
You must, must, must see this act! Just.. Listen to this track in full, and trust me!
Nexus Fitz
THE LIGHT THAT BURNS TWICE AS BRIGHT BURNS HALF AS LONG…
In 2025, our scene tragically lost one of its true characters in Fitz, aka SkinjoB. A mainstay of the alternative community for many years, Fitz was a genuine one-off, blessed with remarkable musical talent. Many will remember how he entertained us not only with some classic dance floor bangers as SkinJob, but also with a sparkling repertoire of classics in his Scene cover and Stay-In-Fest appearances..
Fitz Tribute
Never more at home than when at Infest, both as a performer and partygoer, Fitz is greatly missed by all who knew him. Now, for Infest 2026, we bring you a special one-off performance to celebrate the man and his musical legacy featuring the original SkinjoB live band with vocals from Deviant’s Jay Smith.
NEXUS FITZ will hit the stage in Bar532 on Sunday evening for a very special tribute.
Agnis
Elektro Vox's Sunday MUST SEE artist recommendation
(3 of 4)
AGNIS is a Polish dark pop artist whose music weaves together mysticism, emotion, and power to create her distinctive witchpop sound; a striking fusion of Darkwave, EBM, and Pop Noir.
Drawing inspiration from ancient magic, contemporary beats, and raw feminine energy, AGNIS conjures a sonic world where the spiritual meets the dancefloor. Her songs pulse with dark intensity and hypnotic rhythm, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the space between ritual and release.
Dance, dance, dance!
Agnis is a damn good Gothic disco that the whole audience will love from start to finish.
IAMX Elektro Vox's Sunday MUST SEE artist recommendation
(4 of 4)
After performing exclusive sets at both of our Covid pandemic editions, we’re thrilled to announce that IAMX will perform LIVE for us at Infest 2026!
Chris Corner’s journey becoming IAMX has been theatrical, transcendent, and deeply personal. From his early days as a small-town kid to his breakout with trip-hop icons Sneaker Pimps, and ultimately as the founder of IAMX, Corner has disrupted genre and bent gender through raw and unconventional art.
Fusing electronic experimentation with punk energy and intimate lyricism, IAMX’s music, visuals, performances, and persona are both iconic and unflinchingly vulnerable...
IAMX is a band I was taken to see in London almost a decade ago by one of my closest friends, since discovering them this way, I have myself fallen in love with the music over and over again throughout the years.
Chris' music is emotinal, romantic, poetic, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Liek a modern day Gothic Orpheus, let IAMX carry you away on the wings of serene music.
Thank you!
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