DARKER WAVES Fest 2026 lineup is here and it’s stacked!

The Darker Waves Fest lineup for 2026 is finally out, and it feels like they really paid attention to what worked the first time around. Set for November 14 at Huntington State Beach, this year’s bill leans into that same mix of nostalgia and energy, but with even more variety across genres that shaped the last few decades.

At the top, you’ve got Morrissey and The Smashing Pumpkins, which already tells you the kind of crowd this is going to pull. Two very different sounds, but both with deep catalogs and loyal fans who show up early and stay all day. Then you add Simple Minds and Bad Religion, and it starts to feel like a lineup that covers multiple generations without losing its identity.

What makes this one interesting is the middle of the lineup. Adam Ant, The Psychedelic Furs, Soft Cell, and The Damned bring that classic new wave and post-punk feel that defined the original vibe of the festival. Then you’ve got Manic Street Preachers, which adds a different edge and keeps things from feeling too predictable.

It’s still a one-day festival, which means scheduling will matter, but that also keeps the energy tight. No filler, just a full day of artists people actually want to see.