ALTER BRIDGE’S BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL TAKES FLIGHT
ALTER BRIDGE TO HEADLINE BRAND NEW ROCK EVENT AT AT TK MAXX PRESENTS DEPOT LIVE AT CARDIFF CASTLE – JUNE 27, 2026
WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS SKINDRED, PLUS FLORENCE BLACK, CARDINAL BLACK, & MORE
A brand-new rock festival is landing in the heart of Wales – and it’s set to make some serious noise.
On Saturday, June 27th, 2026, the grounds of Cardiff Castle will be shaken to their foundations as ALTER BRIDGE’s inaugural BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL bursts onto the scene with a monumental lineup that the global rock heavyweights will headline.
Tickets go on general sale from 9:30am Friday, August 22nd via blackbirdfest.com and Tick
Launching their own festival marks a key moment for ALTER BRIDGE – not just as a celebration of their legacy, but as a bold step into curating their own live experience, bringing together a handpicked lineup of artists and connecting with fans in a whole new way.
With more than two decades under their belts, ALTER BRIDGE continue to carve their name deeper into rock history. Known for their thunderous live shows, searing dual guitars, and unforgettable melodies, the Florida-formed four piece – Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitar), Mark Tremonti (guitar/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums) – have played to millions worldwide and earned a reputation as one of the most consistent and respected names in modern rock.
Now, after more than seven years away from Welsh stages, they’re coming back with something big.
“We realized we haven’t played Wales in over 7 years,” says Myles Kennedy. “To make up for lost time, we thought it would be cool to do something extra special. So with that said, we are stoked to announce The Blackbird Festival. Not only does this commemorate twenty-plus years of being a band, but it’s also a way to show our appreciation for the fans in Wales who’ve patiently waited for our return.”
Joining ALTER BRIDGE as very special guests are none other than SKINDRED, the unstoppable Welsh heroes whose unique blend of metal, reggae, punk and riotous energy has made them a live favourite across the globe. Expect nothing short of total carnage when Benji Webbe and co. hit the stage on home turf. And don’t forget a t-shirt to join in with the Newport Helicopter.
Also set to perform are rising Welsh powerhouse trio FLORENCE BLACK, known for their heavy-hitting anthems and gritty, melodic swagger, and the soul-infused, arena-ready sounds of CARDINAL BLACK, whose star continues to rise at rocket speed. One more band is still to be announced, so keep your eyes locked on the lineup for a final surprise.
Fans eager to be part of the first-ever BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL can get tickets and all the latest updates via blackbirdfest.com and official social media pages.
Fans can explore VIP upgrades, full tour dates, and tickets for all ALTER BRIDGE performances at alterbridge.com.
Blackbird Festival 2026 is presented as part of TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.
ALTER BRIDGE will release their new, self-titled, eighth studio album via Napalm Records on January 9th, 2026.
Produced once again by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette, the record promises to deliver the powerful, emotionally driven sound the band is known for – just in time to fuel a triumphant return to UK & European stages for the group’s previously announced Spring 2026 headline arena run. The album was recorded over two months at the legendary 5150 Studios in California and Baskette’s studio in Florida.
Alter Bridge L to R: Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Brian Marshall, Mark Tremonti,
Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann
Back in 2004, four lifelong musicians got together down in Florida. Even though they had traveled separate paths, similar lessons learned, wisdom earned, and dues paid united these gentlemen—Myles Kennedy [vocals, guitar], Mark Tremonti [guitar, vocals], Brian Marshall [bass], and Scott Phillips [drums]—as Alter Bridge. Over the ensuing two decades, the band endured countless trials and tribulations, defied every odd, and rose to the head of the pack as a hard rock juggernaut, cementing a singular legacy by selling out arenas, gathering nearly 1 billion streams, inciting international acclaim, and quietly attracting a diehard audience. Beginning with the Top 5 entry of 2004’s gold certified One Day Remains, the band have scored six consecutive Top 20 debuts on the Billboard 200. Among a myriad of highlights, Guitarist Magazine applauded “Blackbird” for the “Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time,” the ABIII single “Isolation” vaulted to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, 2013’s Fortress received rare perfect scores from KERRANG! and Total Guitar, and Walk The Sky shook the Top Rock Albums Chart at #1. Beyond packing O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall, Classic Rock hailed 2022’s Pawns & Kings as “the Rolls-Royce of Alter Bridge records” in a 4.5-out-of-5-star review. Plus, the latter LP garnered praise from American Songwriter, Guitar World, and Loudwire, while Billboard christened them “one of America’s premiere hard rock quartets.” Channeling the same hunger, the band continue to push themselves on their self-titled eighth full-length offering, Alter Bridge [Napalm Records]. It embodies everything they’re known for such as the precise riffs, towering hooks, and solos that practically break guitar strings as they burst through the clouds.
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.