Moovin Festival Announces Huge Phase One Line-up For 2026

The much-loved Moovin Festival returns to the idyllic surrounds of Whitebottom Farm this summer on the weekend of 12–14 June 2026 with a heavyweight, eclectic phase one line-up. Packed with legends, pioneers, upcoming talent, and guaranteed party starters, all set within one of the UK’s most beautiful and intimate festival sites.

Tucked away in the lush greenery of Etherow Country Park, Stockport, Moovin is a proudly independent boutique festival that continues to punch well above its weight in both line-up and atmosphere. It proves you don’t need arena-sized capacity to deliver arena-sized moments, giving fans the chance to see major acts up close and personal in a truly intimate environment. Renowned for one of the friendliest festival crowds around and genuine value for money including ticket prices to the famously affordable £5 pints, it’s a refreshing, party-first ethos that makes for a very special weekend.

The 2026 edition sees something special at the top of the bill as two former Moovin headliners unite on the same line-up: Groove Armada and 2manydjs. Both have previously torn the roof off the Barn Stage in their own right and now they return together to headline what promises to be one of the standout sessions of the weekend. They’ll perform DJ sets inside the unique Barn Stage, a converted cow barn that this year takes on a new DJ-led format and refreshed look. Complete with the usual first-class production, this year the promoters transform it into "the ultimate rave den”.

"At the bottom of a tree lined valley, a hay barn with a fat sound-system. A freewheeling crowd, no VIP red ropes, no hassle from the authorities, just music and good vibes. 90s free party? No, it's the wonderful Moovin festival." - GROOVE ARMADA.

Moovin’s rich eclecticism runs deep through the rest of the bill. Gilles Peterson, Nightmares On Wax and Quantic bring colour, soul and global rhythm. A serious nod to the heads comes from Danilo Plessow (aka Motor City Drum Ensemble) - a booking that speaks volumes. A selector’s selector, revered by diggers worldwide, his appearance marks a huge moment for lovers of deep, soulful and beautifully curated house music and Moovin hints there’s plenty more of this calibre still to be announced.

They’re joined by musical encyclopaedia Luke Una, and Moovin favourite Mr Scruff, whose legendary daytime sets have become a festival highlight over the years, drawing huge crowds for those feel-good field sessions. Add disco pioneer Greg Wilson, celebrating 50 years behind the decks with a special set, and the ever-classy Dan Shake, and you have a dream run for anyone who likes their dance music with depth, character and heritage.

Talking of heritage and adding serious Manchester energy is a rare performance from original Haçienda residents Mike Pickering & Graeme Park. They’re joined across the weekend by DJ Paulette, Mark XTC, K-Klass and Justin Robertson who reinforce Moovin’s deep northern roots and club culture credentials.

“Whenever I get to play at Moovin Festival it’s a highlight of my festival calendar. As soon as I see the waterfall I feel like I'm home. The crowd is just beautiful and the energy is electric!” - DJ PAULETTE 

Live highlights include Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na performing with a brand-new, full live band, alongside acid jazz pioneers Galliano, whose fusion of jazz, funk, soul and dancefloor energy helped define a generation. DRS brings his powerful Live Band project, Ozric Tentacles add their unmistakable psychedelic prog-rock energy, and Mungo’s Hi-Fi return with their heavyweight sound system pressure which is guaranteed to knock your festival wellies off.

More new additions to the Moovin family include Manchester’s fast-rising Porij, blending nu-jazz, house, funk and art-pop flair. Plus South Africa’s electrifying Moonchild Sanelly, bringing her bold fusion of kwaito, hip-hop, amapiano, dancehall and funk to the farm for the first time.

Drum & bass and jungle are strongly represented with Micky Finn, Nicky Blackmarket, Brockie, Dr Meaker and DRS, the first wave of acts announced from that world, with more heavyweight names still to follow. Party-rocking energy comes courtesy of Freestylers, Jaguar Skills, Plump DJs, Xpress 2, Utah Saints and Soul Of Man, while hip-hop flavour arrives amongst others via A.Skillz and resident DMC scratch champion DJ Woody, all shaping up for a seriously well-rounded weekend celebration.

Beyond the names, Moovin’s real magic lies in discovery. The festival proudly champions emerging talent alongside established icons, creating those unexpected moments you stumble across between Barn sessions and the other four stages.

Set on a cow farm just 30 minutes from Manchester and one hour from Sheffield, yet feeling worlds away, Moovin is a lovingly independent, counter-culture gathering. The main stage is a converted barn, straw bales double as dancefloor seating, lakes and tree canopies frame the site, and festival-goers enter through a dramatic gorge before losing themselves in music.

No VIP areas. No corporate gloss. Just cutting-edge sound systems, holistic healing, yoga, circus performers, warm crowds and a touch of that 90s free-party spirit, all wrapped in an intentionally limited capacity that keeps the atmosphere intimate and inclusive.

This is just phase one, with more names from big hitters to local heroes and rising stars still to come so Moove fast on tickets: https://www.moovinfestival.com/event/moovin-festival-2026/