12 August 2026
The wait is officially over, and it’s that time of year again. Boomtown makes its grand return with Chapter 5: Radical Redesign, bringing five days of uncompromising sound system culture, theatrical immersion, and genre-defying music to the Matterley Estate in Winchester this weekend. From legendary rap pioneers, heavy-hitting electronic selectors and underground frontrunners, this year’s edition is a pure celebration of the sounds that make the festival so iconic.
Here at Mixtape Madness, it would be rude not to cherry-pick a few sets that caught our eye, and make sure they’re on your radar too.
Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn
Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn make a bittersweet return to the Grand Central stage this year. Having recently announced their final album, Goodbye For Now, bringing an extraordinary 15-year run to a close, their Boomtown performance is their last scheduled festival date of the year. Could this be their final festival show ever? Let’s hope not, but based on the current knowledge, it’s not going to be one to miss.
When: Friday, 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Where: Grand Central
Effy b2b Ross From Friends
Electronic powerhouses EFFY and Ross From Friends go head-to-head for an unmissable b2b performance. Fusing EFFY’s fiery, acid-tinted techno and breaks with Ross From Friends’ lush, groove-heavy house soundscapes, this high-voltage set delivers the ultimate blend of euphoria and heavy bass.
When: Friday, 21:30 – 23:00
Where: Hydro XL
Gurriers
Hot off their blistering KEXP session, Dublin’s Gurriers are proving why they’re one of the most vital bands in music today. Having earned a fierce reputation for bone-rattling, mosh-ready live shows and sharp, socially conscious songwriting, their hour-long set is the ultimate way to kick off your Thursday evening. With their second album, Nobody’s Coming To Save You, co-produced by IDLES’ Mark Bowen, arriving next month, expect a rowdy performance packed with the potential of a few early exclusives along the way.
When: Thursday, 8pm – 9pm
Where: Nexus
Antony Szmierek
Manchester’s Antony Szmierek is fast becoming one of the most vital and uplifting voices in UK music. Blending poetic, Northern-infused storytelling with euphoric house beats and UK garage rhythms, the BBC Radio 6 Music favourite turns the quiet details of everyday life into massive dancefloor anthems. Fresh off the critical acclaim of his debut album, Service Station at the End of the Universe, Szmierek’s live shows are renowned for their infectious warmth and big-hearted energy. Equal parts rave and spoken-word catharsis, his set at Boomtown is guaranteed to be one of the most feel-good highlights of the weekend.
When: Saturday, 16:00 – 17:00
Where: Grand Central
Four Tet
Electronic music royalty Four Tet needs little introduction. With a career spanning over two decades, Kieran Hebden remains at the absolute peak of his craft, effortlessly bridging delicate, organic soundscapes with thunderous, peak-time dancefloor energy. Following the acclaim of his recent album Three and legendary headline sets across the globe, Four Tet’s appearance at Boomtown promises the very best of electronic music. Expect a hypnotic, euphoric journey that moves seamlessly from ambient beauty to heavy, sporadic basslines.
When: Saturday, 22:35 – 0:05
Where: Hydro XL
Havoc of Mobb Deep w/ Big Noyd + DJ L.E.S
A foundational pioneer of hip-hop, Havoc of Mobb Deep brings the iconic sound of Queensbridge to Boomtown for an unmissable festival highlight. The legendary producer and MC behind genre-defining anthems like “Shook Ones, Pt. II” and “Quiet Storm” promises an explosive set celebrating one of the greatest legacies in rap – this set is one for the culture.
Where: Friday, 16:00 – 17:00
When: Grand Central
BexBlu & Paul Stephan
Emerging underground heavyweights BexBlu and Paul Stephan unite as one for a rowdy, high-octane joint set. Fusing BexBlu’s soulful, jazz-infused mellow grime production with Paul Stephan’s high-velocity flow and South London grit, this pairing brings unmatched energy, heavy basslines, and pure UK street culture to the stage.
When: Friday, 16:30 – 17:30
Where: Nexus
Neffa-T ft. D Double E
Multi-deck wizard Neffa-T links up with grime royalty D Double E for an unmissable, high-voltage Boomtown set. Combining Neffa-T’s dizzying, multi-genre mixing skills with D Double E’s iconic bars and infectious stage presence, this set promises endless rewinds. An evening job in the Hidden Woods, if you don’t favour the headliners and fancy something more off-grid, this is the place to be.
When: Saturday, 22:00 – 23:30
Where: Hidden Woods