The iconic CBGB Festival has revealed its explosive 2026 lineup, headlined by music legends Morrissey, Patti Smith, and Interpol, with organizers boldly declaring "punk is alive." The annual celebration of New York's legendary punk cradle returns to Under The K Bridge in Brooklyn on September 26, featuring a mix of pioneering acts and contemporary torchbearers.
"This year's festival captures the rebellious spirit that made CBGB legendary," said festival director Alex Chen. "From the pioneers who defined the sound to the artists keeping it vital today, we're honoring punk's past while proving its future is brighter than ever."
Joining the headliners are groundbreaking acts including Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Buzzcocks, Bikini Kill, and Mannequin Pussy. The diverse bill spans generations with Militarie Gun, Circle Jerks, High Vis, Violet Grohl, Agnostic Front, Bad Nerves, Upchuck, Jackie & Judy, and Haywire rounding out the roster.
Tickets go on pre-sale April 23 at 10am local time, with special discounts available for attendees under 25. The festival continues its tradition of bridging punk's rich history with its evolving present, following last year's successful edition that featured Iggy Pop, Jack White, Johnny Marr, The Damned, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, and The Linda Lindas.
Morrissey's inclusion comes fresh off the release of his latest album 'Make-Up Is A Lie' and ahead of his European summer tour, while Patti Smith returns to the festival that celebrates the very New York punk scene she helped shape. Interpol brings their distinctive post-punk revival sound to the event as they continue celebrating their influential catalog.
The CBGB Festival began in 2012 as a tribute to the legendary Bowery club that operated from 1973 to 2006, serving as the birthplace of American punk and new wave. What began as a single-day event has grown into a multi-venue celebration that maintains the raw energy and DIY ethos of its namesake while expanding its musical scope.
"We're not just looking backward," Chen emphasized. "The inclusion of artists like Mannequin Pussy and Militarie Gun shows how punk continues to evolve and inspire new generations. The spirit that animated CBGB in the '70s is very much alive in today's music scene."