Takedown Festival 2026
at Guildhall in Portsmouth, UK
Words by Cat Wiltshire, photos by L Bateman.

In what was set to be a great Easter Bank Holiday weekend, there was a sense of loss that hung over this year’s Takedown Festival, an event that's always sure to raise the volume. With tributes for Phil Campbell, who was set to headline before illness forced his withdrawal, the Motörhead legend’s sudden passing led to the Kerrang! Stage being renamed in his honour on Friday. That being said, the Portsmouth Guildhall roars on, a weekend split between genres rooted in the old and new, packed with standout sets and a defiant celebration of heavy music’s spirit.

Friday was the day of hard rock, with acts tearing up the three stages. With so many bands to choose from, it was hard to narrow down the choices of who to watch.

Kill the Lights

Kicking off the main stage with serious showmanship, Kill The Lights waste no time bringing the heat. Featuring former Bullet For My Valentine members Jason James and Moose, their anthemic metalcore hits hard, even in this early slot. They may have drawn a bigger crowd had they been placed later in the day, but someone has to get the crowd going. Their new single ‘Iron Bite’ rips, and with relentless drums and savage vocals, they throw out a worthy performance packed with energy.

Asomvel

Asomvel hit the stage at full throttle; their set included a cover of Motörhead’s ‘Born To Raise Hell’, dedicated to Phil Campbell, which met with a great reception from the crowd. Loud, sweaty, and full of swagger, they’re a high-energy act and an absolute joy to witness.

South of Salem

South Of Salem bring a glam-tinged, theatrical punch to the Phil Campbell Stage, even if early vocal hiccups briefly stall momentum. It doesn’t take long to recover, though, as their graveyard set, cheerleaders, and leather-clad antics pull in a lively crowd. Blending emo-leaning hard rock with songs like ‘Pretty Little Nightmare’ and highlights like ‘Vultures’, they deliver a fun, visually striking set that’s as entertaining as it is energetic.

At 8pm, a powerful tribute saw organisers Kai and Sarah Harris lead a “minute of noise” for Phil Campbell, as a moving montage played and the crowd roared in remembrance.

InMe

Over on the Metal For Good Stage, InMe turn their set into a real highlight. Celebrating 20 years of White Butterfly, they deliver an energetic, nostalgia-fuelled performance packed with singalong moments. Frontman Dave McPherson leads with confidence and warmth, his voice as strong as ever. His proud announcement of 1,000 days sober added a genuinely uplifting touch to an already memorable set.

Therapy?

Closing out Friday was Therapy?, stepping up in place of Phil Campbell with a set that balances tribute and raw energy. “Happy and sad to be filling in,” admits Andy Cairns, dedicating ‘Die Laughing’ to Campbell while urging the crowd to make “positive noise.”

Their grunge-tinged alt-metal still hits with serious nostalgic bite, whipping the Guildhall into chants and chaos. Tracks like ‘Positive Noise’ ignite the room, while Cairns’ mix of humour and defiance keeps things lively. Filling big shoes isn’t easy, but Therapy? handle it effortlessly, delivering a noisy, heartfelt, and thoroughly engaging end to the night.

Saturday had a different demographic as far as the audience was concerned, but it was no less of a rapturous day, with performances that raised the roof and left the crowd buzzing with excitement.

Slackrr

Kicking off early on the Total Rock Stage, Slackrr bring a burst of upbeat energy with their feel-good pop-punk sound. Packed with catchy hooks and infectious positivity, their set had the crowd bouncing from the off. Tracks like ‘Holding On’ and ‘Better Days’ added heart to the high energy, while their tight stage presence and clear passion made them an absolute joy to watch.

Zetra

Industrial Duo Zetra brought a haunting shift in mood, emerging through the haze with their synth-driven, gothic sound. Blending shoegaze textures with industrial touches, they created a hypnotic atmosphere that quietly captivates. While not everyone seems fully on board, those who connect are completely drawn in. Their eerie take on Kittie’s ‘Charlotte’ adds a nice touch, proving Zetra are a unique and intriguing standout.

Lastelle

Lastelle stormed the Kerrang! Stage starting with the stunning track ‘Pine’, it’s slow, haunting build erupting into a huge, emotional opener. Frontman Adam Rigozzi was relentless, throwing himself into every moment while demanding the crowd match the band’s intensity. Blending atmosphere with explosive post-hardcore, their set was raw, passionate, and completely absorbing. Closing with ‘Breathe Me In’, they have the whole room singing, proving exactly why they’re one of the scene’s most underrated rising acts. Equally proving they deserved the step up from the smaller stage at Takedown, they had previously graced.

Mouth Culture

Mouth Culture hit the main stage with confidence and plenty of precision; they pulled in a lively, near-capacity crowd. Frontman Jack Voss got a strong response when asking, "How many of you know Mouth Culture?", setting the tone for a high-energy set. Packed with catchy hooks and bouncing indie-punk vibes, tracks like ‘On and On’, the band's most recent song and ‘Don’t Pull Up’ land brilliantly, keeping the room moving. It’s a sharp, infectious performance that suggests they’re on a serious upward trajectory.

As it is

As It Is make a triumphant return, with “As It Is, 2012–Forever” written on their backdrop as they dived into a set packed with energy and emotion. Blending nostalgic favourites like ‘The Fire, The Dark, The Wounded World’, and ‘The Stigma (Boys Don’t Cry)’ with newer material, they strike a perfect balance between past and present. The live debut of ‘Marilyn’ is a standout moment, while ‘Lose Your Way & Find Yourself’ shows their continued evolution.

From the first note, the room is bouncing, with huge moments throughout and even a well-choreographed dance routine. Closing on ‘Dial Tones’, they leave the crowd buzzing and prove they’ve lost none of their connection or impact.

Wargasm

Wargasm exploded onto the Kerrang! Stage next with no holds barred, bringing chaos from the first note. Frontman Sam Matlock wastes no time demanding mosh pits, and the crowd happily obliges. Packed with aggressive, scream-along anthems, their set is relentless, with ‘Fukstar’ and ‘Do It So Good’ hitting hardest. It’s loud, confrontational, and completely electrifying. Wargasm is proving they’re leading the charge for a new wave of nu-metal.

President

Then came the moment many had been waiting for, President closed out Takedown Festival 2026 in explosive fashion, announced by a commanding “Citizens of Portsmouth” voiceover as anticipation hit fever pitch. Still a relatively new and mysterious force since their breakout at Download Festival, they already command a packed room with ease, and this room was very packed.

Despite a compact catalogue, every track landed, from the live debut of ‘Mercy’, rawer and more organic, to a stunning, near-flawless cover of Deftones’ ‘Change (In the House of the Flies)’. Their towering neon cross backdrop adds to the spectacle, perfectly matching the weight of their sound.

The biggest audience reaction came from ‘In The Name Of The Father’, which left the band having delivered a defining moment for the weekend. It’s hard not to see echoes of Sleep Token’s rapid rise after being booked at Takedown Festival in 2023. President feel destined for much bigger stages, and this set may well be remembered as where it all truly began as their first festival headlining set.

Takedown Festival 2026 struck a powerful balance between tribute and triumph, blending heartfelt moments with relentless energy. From the emotional celebration of Phil Campbell to the nostalgia of InMe revisiting White Butterfly, the weekend never stood still. Rising names like Lastelle proved the future is in safe hands, while explosive sets from across the lineup kept spirits high. It was a festival that honoured its roots while embracing what’s next, loud, passionate, and full of promise. If this year is anything to go by, Takedown’s future looks just as vital as its legacy.