Left of the Dial Stakes Its Claim As The Best New Music Fest in Europe
It’s time once more for a weekend filled with bands, beer and bitterballen. Every October, for one gloriously chaotic weekend, Rotterdam becomes a map of musical possibilities. Emerging artists take over venues across the city as punters revel in excitement that their new favourite band could be just around the corner. Left of the Dial 2026 is here, and if there’s one thing it promises, it’s that your playlists are about to get a serious overhaul.
Year on year, Left of the Dial stakes another claim as one of Europe’s best new music festivals, and this time around they’ve given us even more reason to fall head over heels. For the first time, the festivities kicked off with an additional day dedicated to showcasing the Netherlands’ homegrown talent. As the festival’s international reputation continues to grow, it’s become increasingly easy to parachute into Rotterdam, tick off the hyped names and leave without getting acquainted with the scene on its own doorstep. Not this time. The locals were given their moment in the spotlight, and bloody hell, did they make the most of it.
Fellatio were the undeniable party starters. Rotterdam’s own tongue-in-cheek purveyors of absolute chaos delivered a set so infectiously joyful that seeing them once simply wasn’t enough. Their performance at Rotown fizzed with an energy that had the crowd entirely at their mercy, turning the room into a communal celebration. Their dance-punk anthems ricocheted around the room, fuelled by an electric stage presence and an audience more than happy to meet them at their level.
Like any city festival worth its salt, it’s a marathon rather than a sprint, but this one offers a particularly generous advantage: duplication on the lineup. Missed that set everyone’s been raving about? Catch it tomorrow. Got caught in a queue? Lost your friends? Or simply needed to sit down? There’s a chance to try again. It’s an unusually forgiving approach to festival FOMO, and one that makes the whole weekend feel a little less like a logistical military operation.
August were another undeniable standout, and one of those acts that linger in the back of your mind long after the final note. The London-based art-rock outfit delivered a performance that moved effortlessly between beautiful fragility and glorious walls of noise, never allowing one to overshadow the other. Amongst the intensity, there were moments of real emotional clarity, little pockets of light that made the heavier passages hit all the harder. It's a captivating dynamic, and one that solidified August as a band firmly on our radar. Definitely ones to watch.
One of the weekend's more unusual venues came courtesy of Lucky Iris, who took their performance aboard a bus and promptly turned it into a full-blown dancefloor. Their fun-fuelled set had the entire crowd dancing along, with an infectious atmosphere that made it quite literally impossible to stand still. It's a brilliant example of the playful spirit that runs through Left of the Dial; this festival is serious about shenanigans.
The Slow Country brought a welcome dose of charm to the weekend with their wonderfully rich blend of indie alt-folk and rock. A full seven-piece outfit, their sound is beautifully layered, with violin and accordion weaving through gorgeous harmonies and showcasing some truly stunning musicianship. There's a real warmth to their sound, and it's difficult not to be completely won over. It's a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens when talented musicians come together.
The Northern English contingent were out in force, with Monks and Wyatt both making their mark on Rotterdam. Monks brought the big energy, delivering punchy electro-rock tunes that were impossible to ignore, while Wyatt offered a different kind of punch with indie rock that wandered between darkness and light. Two different approaches, but a shared ability to leave a lasting impression. The North was certainly well represented.
Taking the party offshore, Lemonsuckr delivered one of the weekend's most energetic performances aboard a boat. Thier punchy, high-energy set had everyone dancing, bouncing and generally losing their minds as we set sail around Rotterdam. Things got particularly ambitious when a few brave souls attempted to crowd surf to what was a gloriously chaotic set. (Learning from last years boat antics I decided to leave the camera on dry land!)
Jackson Roy delivered one of the weekend’s most beautiful sets, making the most of a rather spectacular setting. Performing beneath the chandeliers of a church, their rock songs unfolded through weaving harmonies alongside cello accompaniment. The softer moments seemed to settle into the space, while the heavier tracks cascaded around the room, filling its beautiful architecture with sound. It was a wonderful contrast between setting and sonics, and a genuinely special performance. One of the festival’s real highlights.
One of the loveliest things about Left of the Dial is that it feels made by and for people who genuinely love music. There’s none of the industry posturing or being seen for the sake of it; just a crowd there to discover bands, catch brilliant live music and share the excitement of finding something new. It’s also a brilliant launching pad for British bands, often giving them their first taste of playing a European festival.
You don’t need to keep your ear permanently glued to the ground when you can simply look at the Left of the Dial lineup. The curators have their fingers firmly on the pulse, offering a brilliant spread of sounds without ever telling you what you should love. Instead, they hand you a hundred opportunities to discover it for yourself.
It’s the little details that bring it all together. From the thoughtful communications and killer marketing to the outstanding hospitality (the bands even drink for free), the team seems to be constantly thinking about how to make the experience more fun. That generosity trickles down into the crowd, creating an atmosphere built on kindness, openness and a shared love of music. These touches might seem small on paper, but they give Left of the Dial its unmistakable identity. There's a fun-first mindset. This year they even kitted out a secret shots bar. But we wouldn't know anything about that. Obviously.
Left of the Dial is the sort of festival that makes you fall in love with live music all over again. A little chaotic, endlessly welcoming, and packed with bands worth shouting about, it’s firmly cemented itself as a highlight of the calendar.
Tickets for left of the dial 2027 are on sale now; I’ll try to find you x
