The award-nominated Takedown Festival has officially announced its return to the Portsmouth Guildhall on April 3rd and 4th, 2026, featuring a powerhouse lineup that bridges the gap between metal history and its cinematic future. Friday night will be headlined by Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, who are set to perform a special Motörhead set in a powerful tribute to the roots of heavy music. Organizers Kai and Sarah Harris noted that the performance serves as a vital celebration of rock legacy, especially as a younger generation of fans continues to rediscover the foundational sounds of the genre.
On Saturday, the festival takes a bold step forward by handing the headline reins to the mysterious masked collective PRESIDENT for their first-ever festival top-billing. This announcement follows the massive success of their sold-out “Campaign Trail” tour and the critical acclaim surrounding their debut EP, ‘King of Terrors’. By pairing the legendary rock-and-roll pedigree of Phil Campbell with the cutting-edge alternative metal of PRESIDENT, Takedown Festival 2026 promises an immersive weekend that showcases the full evolution of heavy music on the South Coast.