Bella sets the tone for 2026 with a genre-spanning first announcement that blends returning icons, debut appearances and rising Scottish talent.
Belladrum have opened their 2026 story with a first-wave lineup that shows real confidence in what the festival does best. The early reveal blends returning icons, long-awaited Highland debuts and rising Scottish names, giving a clear sense of the scale and character shaping next summer’s plans.
James come back as headliners for a record third time, something no other act has achieved at Belladrum. As Dougie Brown (Festival Organiser) put it, “Having James back feels like welcoming old friends back home.” Their fortieth anniversary set is expected to land with real power, built around songs such as Sit Down, Laid and Getting Away With It, which have become part of the shared memory of so many Bella summers.
Read our interview with Larry Gott from 2013.
The Human League arrive with a different sort of landmark. Their 2026 performance will be their first ever appearance in the Highlands, and there is a genuine sense of occasion attached to that. Their influence across electronic pop remains strong decades after Dare, and anthems like Don’t You Want Me, Fascination and Love Action continue to resonate with both long-time fans and new listeners. Their debut adds a new flavour to the headline mix and expands the festival’s musical reach.
Callum Beattie takes up the final headline spot, and for many in the Highlands this will feel like a particularly meaningful moment. His main stage appearance in 2023 showed he was more than ready for a step up, but his story with Bella has run deeper than that. He has always been open about his connection to the festival and to the Highlands more widely, and it is significant to see someone who has given so much to the area and the event earning a headline slot.
Dougie captured it neatly: “bringing Callum his first-ever major headline festival slot really sums up what we’re about, growing together and being part of incredible artists journeys.” With a sold-out Hydro show now behind him, his Thursday night performance already feels like one of the emotional peaks of the weekend.
Read our interview with Callum Beattie from his last Belladrum performance.
The festival’s own social media added context to the work behind the scenes, noting:
“The power of work that goes into building a lineup for an event like Belladrum is huge, especially with such a wide age range in our audience and so many stages to programme (just a wee 14). We put our heart and soul into it. Music will always be subjective, but we’ll keep striving to deliver the best mix we can for the Bella family. And don’t worry… we’ve still got plenty more names up our sleeves.”
Mika appears as a special guest, and securing him is quite a coup for Belladrum given his global profile and the scale of his live shows. His bright, theatrical pop almost guarantees one of the most colourful sets of the weekend, backed by a run of crowd-ready anthems including Grace Kelly, Relax (Take It Easy) and Lollipop.
Razorlight make a welcome return to the Highlands, having last played the area when they supported Noel Gallagher, bringing a familiar burst of indie energy back to the region. Kula Shaker, Symphonic Ibiza and Scouting For Girls each add their own recognisable personality, while Brooke Combe continues her rapid rise with a soulful, modern edge.
Trad and folk fans are well catered for with Trail West, Torridon and Valtos, each offering a different take on contemporary Celtic music. The Crazy World of Arthur Brown will play Bella for the first time after last year’s last-minute cancellation, and anticipation for that set remains high.
The wider bill brings together names from across genres, generations and emerging scenes, including Nathan Carter, Cammy Barnes, Getdown Services, Lloyd Cole, Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5, High Fade, Kezia Gill, The Molotovs, First Time Flyers, An Dannsa Dub, Elias Alexander, Beth Malcolm, The Eves, Rob Heron and The Teapad Orchestra, Rhythmnreel, The Dangleberries, Scott C Park, Lacuna, Scotstown Dance Band, Bad Actress and the Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail.
Rather than leaning on a formula, this first wave shows a festival continuing to evolve while staying rooted in what makes Bella special. It balances nostalgia with discovery, and big headline moments with the kind of local loyalty that has always shaped the event’s character.
This opening announcement sets a strong direction for Belladrum 2026, with a record-breaking return from James, a major Highlands debut for The Human League and a heartfelt homegrown milestone for Callum Beattie. With more names to follow and demand already growing, now is the time to secure tickets.
Full information and ticket links are available at tartanheartfestival.co.uk.
