BUSH announced for ALTER BRIDGE’s Blackbird Festival

BUSH ANNOUNCED FOR ALTER BRIDGE’S BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL

Saturday 27th June 2026 – Cardiff Castle, Wales

ALTER BRIDGE. Photo: Chuck Brueckmann

After sending shockwaves through the rock world with the announcement of their brand new Blackbird Festival, ALTER BRIDGE have just turned the volume up even higher — unveiling BUSH as the final act joining the bill for the festival’s debut edition.

On Saturday 27th June 2026, the mighty grounds of Cardiff Castle will play host to a day of monumental rock as ALTER BRIDGE’s Blackbird Festival lands in Wales for the very first time. 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.

Fresh from celebrating 30 years of defining the sound of post-grunge and touring with Volbeat, BUSH join the bill as the latest powerhouse addition. Led by frontman Gavin Rossdale, the London-born icons stormed global charts with era-defining anthems including “Machinehead,” “Glycerine,” and “Swallowed” – cementing their place as one of the most distinctive and enduring names in modern rock. From their explosive 1994 debut Sixteen Stone to their latest release I Beat Loneliness, BUSH continue to deliver the raw emotion, melody, and fire that made them household names.

BUSH. Photo Credit: Chapman Baehler

Their arrival adds serious weight to an already colossal lineup, as ALTER BRIDGE will also headline their own festival for the very first time – a landmark moment in their more than two-decade career. The Florida-formed four piece – Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips – have earned a global reputation for their thunderous live shows, emotional intensity, and masterful musicianship.

“We wanted to do something that truly celebrates our history and our fans,” says ALTER BRIDGE frontman Myles Kennedy. “The response to Blackbird Festival has been incredible — and having BUSH join the lineup just takes it to another level. This is going to be a special one.”

Joining ALTER BRIDGE and BUSH on the castle grounds are SKINDRED, bringing their unmistakable fusion of metal, reggae, and punk back to Welsh soil for what’s guaranteed to be total carnage. Also confirmed are FLORENCE BLACK, the rising Merthyr Tydfil trio delivering heavy-hitting anthems with serious swagger, and the soul-charged CARDINAL BLACK, whose ascent continues at lightning pace.

Blackbird Festival 2026 marks the next chapter in ALTER BRIDGE’s evolution, arriving just months after the release of their highly anticipated self-titled eighth studio album, due January 9th, 2026 via Napalm Records. Produced once again by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette, the album promises to deliver the powerful, emotionally driven sound the band is known for – setting the stage for a massive year that includes their Spring 2026 UK & European arena tour and this landmark festival celebration in Cardiff, Wales.

Album pre-orders are available now at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.

Tickets for Blackbird Festival are on sale now via blackbirdfest.com and Ticketmaster.

Fans can explore VIP upgrades, full tour dates, and tickets for all ALTER BRIDGE performances at alterbridge.com.

Blackbird Festival is presented as part of TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle, by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

FIND BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL ONLINE:

About DEPOT Live

DEPOT Live is the live events arm of The DEPOT, Cardiff’s most creative events venue (est. 2015). Over the years they have packed out Cardiff Castle with a series of incredible shows – welcoming international artists like Tom Jones, Sting, Blondie, The Script and Fontaines DC to the Welsh capital, as well as their own signature, one-day festival DEPOT in the Castle.

DEPOT Live also introduced Blackweir Live to the Welsh capital, Cardiff’s largest greenfield music venue, launched in 2025 at Blackweir Fields. The site has already hosted global icons such as Stevie Wonder, Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan and Slayer, with plans to welcome even more world-renowned artists in future years. To find out more, visit  depotlive.co.uk and blackweirlive.com

Cuffe & Taylor is one of the UK’s top live music, theatre and event promoters. Established for more than 10 years and part of the Live Nation family, they present breath-taking tours, festivals and shows across the UK filling football stadiums, arenas, theatres and major historical sites.  Cuffe & Taylor’s roster of artists is extensive and varied including Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Lewis Capaldi, Sir Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Kylie, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Stereophonics, George Ezra, The Strokes, Sam Fender and Def Leppard. They also operate a hugely successful theatre touring department across the UK and internationally programming thousands of nights of entertainment ranging from live podcasts, screen-to-stage TV adaptations and musical theatre. In 2023 they were recipients of an Olivier Award for their part in promoting and producing the hugely successful Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show tour.

About TK Maxx

• TK Maxx is part of TJX Europe which comprises the TK Maxx and Homesense brands. TJX Europe is part of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX), the leading off-price retailer in the US and worldwide.
• TK Maxx is Europe’s leading off-price apparel and homeware retailer selling a huge assortment of big names and designer labels, top brands, up-and-coming labels and exciting gems at up to 60% less than the RRP and at a significant discount to the price in a department store or on the high street, every single day.
• TK Maxx offers a unique treasure hunt shopping experience where customers can find something special at a great price, every time they visit.
• The average TK Maxx store receives several deliveries a week. The rapidly changing mix of high-quality merchandise creates the treasure hunt experience that customers love.
• Opportunistic buying, established relationships with vendors and a no frills operation means TK Maxx can pass huge savings onto customers.
• TK Maxx is committed to being a responsible retailer whether in the community, as an employer, in the supply chain or in the environment.
• As of November 2023¹, TK Maxx has 641 stores in six countries across Europe: the UK, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands and is online at www.tkmaxx.com, tkmaxx.de and tkmaxx.at.

 ¹TJX Companies, Inc. Q3 FY24 results