New festival Show of Hands launches in 2026 in Somerset with first wave line-up announced

Launching over the bank holiday weekend, Friday 22 - Sunday 24 May 2026, Show of Hands is a brand new all-ages festival celebrating live music, creativity and collective joy. Set across woodland and open-air stages on Gilcombe Farm in Bruton, Somerset, the festival combines genre-spanning performances with workshops, immersive spaces and a participatory programme for all generations. Tickets are on sale now at show-of-hands.net. 

At the centre of the first wave line-up is Lady Wray, whose raw, retro-leaning soul bridges classic R&B and contemporary hip hop, earning her a loyal following on both sides of the Atlantic. She’s joined by Submotion Orchestra, the Leeds-based seven-piece known for their cinematic, bass-heavy blend of electronica, jazz and soul. Also performing is Romare (Live), whose distinctive collage-style sampling and global groove has made him a standout on the UK live electronic scene.

Jamz Supernova, one of the UK’s most forward-thinking DJs and broadcasters, brings her signature energy and genre-blurring selections, drawing on UK funky, broken beat, club and neo-soul. General Levy ft. TC & The Groove Family present a festival-exclusive collaboration, Jazz meets Jungle - a high-octane meeting of live brass, percussion and jungle MC energy, blending improvisation with heavy bass and carnival spirit.

The wider bill moves between Afrobeat, broken beat, jazz, funk and club culture. Highlights include Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Experience, led by the former keyboardist and musical director for Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band; Sambroso All Stars, performing The Buena Vista, a Cuban music tribute project driven by members of London’s Afro-Cuban scene; and Esa’s Afro Synth Band, blending South African synth traditions with live percussion and deep, dancefloor-rooted rhythms.

Showcases from EGLO Records (home to Alex Nut and a launchpad for genre-defying artists like Floating Points), My Analog Journal (the global crate-digging YouTube platform turned club night), and Wah Wah 45s (London’s long-running soul, funk and jazz label) add to the spirit of discovery.

Also joining the line-up is Steve Knightley, frontman of the acclaimed folk duo Show of Hands. His appearance is a nod to the festival’s name - while unrelated in origin, the connection celebrates the spirit of storytelling, collaboration and grassroots music-making that both the artist and the event embody.

The result is a line-up that weaves together established pioneers, grassroots collectives and emerging artists - setting the tone for a festival that’s as musically rich as it is community-driven.

Alex Lane, Festival Director at Show of Hands, said: “We wanted the line-up to reflect the kind of energy we’re building with this festival - open, collaborative and full of life. It’s about bringing together artists who are rooted in their scenes but keen to connect with new audiences, in a setting where no one’s on autopilot. This is just the first wave - there’s still much more to come.”

Show of Hands is built from the ground up with community at its core. Every ticket sale directly supports the development of the festival and its grassroots model. There are no sponsors, no VIP enclosures and no corporate branding - just a 2,500-capacity creative playground shaped by the people who attend it.

Beyond the music, Show of Hands offers a rich creative programme that embraces the playful and the unexpected - a festival experience designed for the young and the young at heart. Everyone who buys a ticket can now submit ideas for workshops, activities, experiences and more to see at the inaugural event, and vote on others’ suggestions. The most popular proposals will be brought to life in the final festival lineup.

The debut programme features a wide range of creative and participatory experiences: start the day with Family Yoga from Laura's Yoga Club, or get those feet tapping with Sole Rebel's tap dance taster sessions. Feast your eyes on RoguePlay Theatre's fiery acrobatics in Forests, Dolly Trolley and Cabaret's Sauvignon's antics or get onstage yourself with The Bandaoke Show. Get creative with Olipop's Swap Party and Play Headdress Making, Darn It's embroidery, Pedal Emporium's games, disco and paint spinning,and School of Noise's sonic adventures. Settle down in We are the Wild's library for Louby Lou's storytelling The non-music offering is a core part of the festival’s identity - a hands-on, inclusive space where creativity takes the lead.

Tickets are on sale now at show-of-hands.net and a limited number of hot air balloon ride tickets are also available to book, offering festivalgoers a unique chance to take to the skies and see the full site from above.

Show of Hands will take place at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, Somerset, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May 2026. For updates on the event, follow Show of Hands Festival on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok.