The Ones To Watch at Desertfest 2026

Danielle Henderson
12 hours ago
5 min read

It’s less than two months now until the festival that is the home of Stoner Rock, Doom, and Heavy Psych is upon us. Desertfest sees three full days of the world’s most iconic acts flock to London to play in some of Camden’s most stellar venues, including the Roundhouse, the Electric Ballroom, the Underworld, and the Dev.

Last year saw the likes of ELDER and ZEAL AND ANDOR as headliners and the festival brought light (and doom) to the heart of London. This year will be the 14th edition of the festival, bringing HERMANO, GREEN LUNG, and CLUTCH at the top of the bill for each day of the long weekend. According to the organisers themselves, the days have been categorised: “Friday: a classic evening of stoner heaviness. Saturday: a celebration of homegrown talent. Sunday a platter of Desertfest dreams.”

We’ve put together a list of some bands that we think will be worth your time if you are planning to attend the festival in a few weeks. This year there are so many great artists on the lineup, but here’s just a few of them.

ALUNAH

Birmingham, known as the home of BLACK SABBATH, has a track record for great metal music and ALUNAH are no exception. Over the last two decades, they have been building a following in the heavy rock world, and were even named as one of metal’s greatest bands to come out of Birmingham by Metal Hammer. Early last year, they announced that Daisy Savage from HOT LITTLE HANDS would be taking over as vocalist following the departure of Siân Greenway, and between now and then have attended a few European festivals. Desertfest sees their first show of 2026 and is sure to make an impact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDjaNRIiCB_QE&v=jaNRIiCB_QE

CAPRICORNS

London’s own instrumental doom band CAPRICORNS are making their big comeback for this festival. In their first show in 18 years following the band’s split in 2008, Desertfest will host them on the Friday of the festival at the Electric Ballroom. With no new material released, it is assumed they will be performing tracks from their two albums Ruder Forms Survive and River, Bear Your Bones. For fans of the true underground sound of doom from the 2000's this is a true rare opportunity and not one to let pass you by.

CWFEN

The atmosphere conjured by this Glaswegian four-piece is second to none, with a stunning debut album Sorrows last year and an unworldly presence. Desertfest will be the best place to catch them outside of Scotland this year (so far) so definitely seize the opportunity. Their sound is often described as “doomgaze” merging dreamlike soundscapes with a modern gloomy twist. CWFEN are still a relatively new band, so now is your time to get into them before they become massive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDR4ElqI1RZGM&v=R4ElqI1RZGM

DAUFØDT

A noisy outfit from Norway are making waves with their violent punk and noise rock fusion sound. DAUFØDT are high energy, high aggression and all noise. After their Norwegian Grammy win for their debut album the band decided to go full throttle in the album that followed, Glitter which came out in 2024. Now branching out of Scandinavia and parts of Europe, they are performing in the UK for the first time at Desertfest.

FORLORN

Elements of black metal, unworldly, rooted in paganism and showing a different side to the folk horror you may expect if you’ve witnessed others of this genre. Vocalist Megan Jenkins flits from an almost 80s pop pitch to pure horror screams with ease, and their debut album Aether is full of magic too. Their live performances are the kind that need to be experienced, often described as both brutal and beautiful, so be sure to witness it for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDIRUmicI-SBs&v=IRUmicI-SBs

GREEN LUNG

We’re sure by this point you’re well acquainted with the Saturday headliners of Desertfest but just in case you’re not, this four-piece from London delivers stoner hard rock that is rich with storytelling. Their style stems from classic hard rock from the 70s that blends with modern metal, creating an identity with their theming and lyrical inspiration from British folklore. If you didn’t catch them at ArcTanGent last year at their headliner slot then this is the perfect opportunity to see them own the stage at the legendary Roundhouse.

GNOME

In the short time Belgium’s power trio GNOME have been in the scene, they have created a name for themselves as a fun and exciting band that cover elements of stoner, prog, and heavy metal. Last year, the band had two sold-out shows in the UK, including one at the Camden Underworld, and are set to sell out more with a couple of shows coming up in the countdown to Desertfest. Performing in their infamous red pointed gnome hats you can find them during the festival on the Friday at the Electric Ballroom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDEE-LD2EcASo&v=EE-LD2EcASo

HERMANO

Noted for featuring the vocalist of KYUSS, John Garcia, HERMANO consists of many other established musicians, including members of SUPAFUZZ and AFGHAN WHIGS. Originally set up as a side project the band has created its own identity with its heavy bluesy riffs and cult following. Desertfest sees the band return to the stage after a hiatus on the third day of the festival marking their first show in 19 years and a UK exclusive. Known as the band that never was, seeing HERMANO will be a bucket list band for both old and new fans.

THE SWORD

Despite their disbanding in 2022, THE SWORD have since regrouped and have begun touring again. Their appearance at Desertfest will be their first festival appearance in the UK since. Forming in 2003 in Austin, TX the band have solidified their place in the last two decades as one of the top bands in the scene, and their album Age of Winters has become a staple to stoner metal enjoyers all over the world with its immersive and intricate composition. Their expertly crafted music that is teeming with cinematics themes has developed an astounding cult following, and if you’re not part of it, you better be as these are certainly not one to miss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD5uLqJxQgJfQ&v=5uLqJxQgJfQ

WITCHSORROW

Mesmerising true doom formed by Necroskull (Nick Ruskell) and Emily Doom in 2005, and later joined by Scott “Doom” Taylor last year. The trio live and breathe doom and across their four albums they have brought doom and joy to many. Another for fans of BLACK SABBATH and CATHEDRAL with their traditional style doom that you can feel in your bones.