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Creamfields 2026: the complete line-up deep dive
All the sets you won't want to miss when the world's leading dance festival returns to Daresbury this August
In the wise words of Carl Cox (as remixed by Franky Wah): “ain’t no negativity inside the dance, just pure vibes”. Creamfields is quite literally the crème de la crème of that energy. Christmas morning, Easter Sunday and NYE rolled into one extravaganza for the UK raver. It’s where the biggest names meet the most exciting new talent, across every corner of dance music.
Pulling together a deep dive on this line-up without writing a full thesis isn’t easy, but here’s the one you actually need. The names you absolutely can not miss, and why.
The Headliners
Calvin Harris
Scottish exports: single malt whisky, kilts, some of the best accents on the planet – and sitting just beneath all that is Calvin Harris. His debut album I Created Disco (2007) bridged the gap between indie-dance and pop, and was a defining record for a generation of indie/emo kids turned ravers.
Early hits like ‘Acceptable in the 80s’, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Flashback’ were just the beginning. He went on to become the first British solo artist to surpass a billion streams on Spotify, building a catalogue that includes 11 UK No.1s and multiple Grammy nominations. More than 20 years in, he’s somehow more relevant than ever. In an attention economy where even the biggest stars struggle to cut through, Calvin’s still delivering, ‘Blessings’ landed as one of the biggest hits of 2025.
With a discography that firmly cements his status as a legend, Calvin Harris never misses. Bring on his Creamfields headline set on Saturday 27 August.
Disclosure
Disclosure are set to make their live debut at Creamfields this year, taking over the Arc stage on Friday 28 August and you’ll want to be front left. Skepta said, “if you like music, you like house music – you just haven’t realised it yet.” I’d go one further: if you like music, you like Disclosure, you just don’t know it yet. There’s something undeniable about the Lawrence brothers. Their 2012 breakthrough ‘Latch’ helped launch Sam Smith’s career and has since become an unofficial UK anthem.
More recently, ‘One2Three’ with Chris Lake and Leven Kali is pure groove goodness, while 2024’s ‘She’s Gone, Dance On’ is a perfect record. Renowned for delivering seriously fun live sets, Creamfields is Disclosure’s only UK festival slot in 2026. And they’ve been dipping back into the catalogue too. At Coachella, they dropped the Flume remix of ‘You & Me’. Rave gods, I’m asking nicely: run it back at Creamfields.
Swedish House Mafia
Swedish House Mafia are true Creamfields veterans, and for good reason. They were one of the defining forces behind the global EDM takeover of the late 2000s and early 2010s, blending progressive house melodies with huge, emotive drops that became synonymous with festival culture. From era-defining tracks like ‘Don’t You Worry Child’ to more recent moments like the Fred again.. rework ‘Turn On The Lights Again’, Swedish House Mafia remain a real force. Headlining the APEX Stage on Sunday 30 August, expect Creamfields to be like a ‘Moth To A Flame’, drawn straight in for a spine-tingling singalong and the perfect pick-me-up we’ll all be needing on day three.
The Unmissable Sets
Kettama
With big hits like ‘It Gets Better’ and ‘Yosemite’, plus his recent debut album Archangel, Kettama is the name on everyone’s lips right now. The Irish DJ and producer’s rise may feel meteoric to the unfamiliar. But props where props are due, Kettama has been grinding, making tunes and DJing for well over a decade.
Blending elements of UKG, breakbeat, trance and techno, Kettama’s sets are reliably unpredictable and relentlessly fun. Backed by co-signs from Fred again.., Interplanetary Criminal and DJ Heartstring, alongside a string of heavyweight back-to-backs with Michael Bibi, Josh Baker, Prospa, Chris Stussy, Chris Lake and Mallgrab, Kettama is at the epicentre of the scene, pushing harder, faster club music firmly into the spotlight.
Jazzy
There’s something effortlessly relaxed and cool about Jazzy. She’s become the go-to voice for electronic records in recent years, with standout collaborations alongside Sonny Fodera, ALOK, D.O.D and KILIMANJARO. She’s shaping up to be the face of dance music in 2026. Starting out as a vocalist (in an industry that loves to pigeonhole women) Jazzy’s gone on to prove herself as a brilliant DJ and is now smoothly stepping into production.
When the Irish talent is on the line-up, she is the party. Serving groove after groove while layering in live vocals on hits like ‘Giving Me’ and ‘Make Me Feel Good’.
Dom Dolla
There’s nobody quite like Dom Dolla that can induce a stank-faced trance in me. His unique flavour of tech house is the perfect blend of naughty basslines and catchy vocals. The Aussie talent has recently transcended from DJ to superstar in his home country, becoming the first electronic act to ever sell out a stadium show (40k+ tickets). With more than 1.5 billion total streams and a Grammy nod, Dom continues to move from strength to strength. But it’s his live shows where he truly shines. Dom’s music is made for monster sound systems. Expect huge crowds and high vibes at his Creamfields set this year. He’s got us all “totally addicted to bass”.
Honourable mentions:
Josh Baker, Sonny Fodera, Ewan McVicar
The OGs
Armin Van Buuren
Trance has made a serious return to the collective raver consciousness in recent years and Armin van Buuren is the original trance daddy. He’s been DJing since the mid-’90s, and still takes crowds on an emotional journey like few others can. Seamlessly weaving his own catalogue with old and new trance classics, Armin’s sets are the full spectrum of the genre.
His A State of Trance brand is the world’s biggest trance platform, reaching over 40 million listeners across 84 countries. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering trance, Armin’s Creamfields set is not one to miss.
Tiësto
Speaking of trance, you can’t go past a line-up with Tiësto on it without giving him his flowers. The Dutch DJ and producer is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in electronic music. Rising in the late ’90s and early 2000s with iconic trance records including ‘Adagio for Strings’, ‘Traffic’, ‘Lethal Industry’, and his remix of ‘Silence’, he later evolved his sound into big room house and pop-infused dance. Known for his ability to adapt while staying consistently relevant, decades after his debut Tiësto’s 2023 album DRIVE includes hits like ‘The Business’ and ‘The Motto’, both of which have amassed billions of streams. He’s the Elton John of dance music, collaborating with some of the biggest stars in the world including Charli xcx, Tate McRae, Post Malone and John Legend. Live, Tiësto effortlessly moves between eras and styles, delivering euphoric moments that have made him a festival mainstay for decades.
Carl Cox
The godfather of dance, Carl Cox is the OG don of house and techno. Rising from the UK rave scene in the late ’80s and ’90s with defining records like ‘I Want You (Forever)’ and ‘Phoebus Apollo’, Carl Cox is known for his marathon DJ sets and seamless genre-blending. He became a long-standing resident at Ibiza’s iconic Space and a global festival mainstay. Even decades into his career, Cox remains a driving force in club culture, championing new music while delivering the kind of sets that keep dancefloors locked in from start to finish.
Honourable mentions:
Underworld, Faithless, Fatboy Slim
House Every Weekend
![FISHER - TOMORROWLAND 2022 [LIVE STREAM]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bcpweaSrG2Q/0.jpg)
Fisher
During Fisher’s UNVRS residency in Ibiza last summer, he descended from the roof like dance music’s very own Peter Pan. The Aussie talent is one of the most refreshing DJs in the game, reminding everyone to loosen up and have some fun. With his iconic hand flip, cheeky grin and that unmistakable laugh, Fisher’s here for a good time, and his energy is infectious.
While the surfer-turned-superstar embodies the ultimate best mate you’d want on a night out, his instantly recognisable tech-house sound matches his persona perfectly. All throbbing basslines and filthy grooves. His breakout 2018 hit ‘Losing It’ became an instant classic, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording and reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. Since becoming a father, Fisher’s sound has taken a more emotive turn, with records like ‘Stay’, ‘Atmosphere’ and ‘Rain’ quickly becoming some of his best (imho).
Prospa
Seeing Prospa live is pure ecstasy. The Leeds duo started out in the mid-10s experimenting with deep house before shifting into more rave-focused, high-energy sounds, while still always holding onto their signature emotional core. Their 2018 single ‘Prayer’ felt like a spiritual tribute to the rave: our bass-fueled church built on connection, movement, and feeling something bigger than yourself. That energy put Prospa on the map, and it still sounds just as powerful today.
While much of electronic music is tied to a moment in time, Prospa have a rare ability to sound both nostalgic and fresh, fusing 90s house with breakbeat-driven energy. Recent releases like ‘Free Your Mind’ and ‘The Rhythm’ prove they’re operating at the top of their game, and with an album set to drop in June, their Creamfields set is shaping up to be something special.
John Summit
Corporate finance bro turned tech-house DJ John Summit has been a major name for years, quitting his day job in 2019 and breaking through the following year with the melancholic anthem ‘Deep End’. Leaving accounting behind clearly paid off for the Chicago talent.
In 2026, John Summit is bigger than ever. Deeper cuts like ‘Crystallized’ and ‘Light Years’ (both nodding to UKG influences) landed strongly last year, while his live performance inside Las Vegas’s Cube went viral on TikTok. His album CTRL ESCAPE has been widely praised, featuring standout tracks like ‘SHADOWS’ and ‘LIGHTS GO OUT’, with Summit proudly producing the project in full.
Honourable mentions:
Gorgon City, Franky Wah, Alesso, Max Dean
The 140+ BPM Club
Amelie Lens
Belgian DJ and producer Amelie Lens has become one of the defining names in modern techno. Known for her high-intensity sound on records like ‘Breathe’, ‘One Mind’ (with Charlotte de Witte), and her remix of Anyma’s ‘Voices In My Head’, she delivers fast, driving sets guaranteed to get you moving. Since breaking through in the mid-2010s, Amelie’s gone on to headline major clubs and festivals worldwide, while also running her own label EXHALE, which champions the next wave of techno talent. Focusing on atmosphere and momentum, Amelie Lens always creates an excellent vibe, making her one of the most in-demand names in the global techno scene.
Eli Brown
Eli Brown emerged from the Bristol drum & bass scene in the 2010s under the alias Xample before making the shift into techno and house. Those D&B roots still set him apart, bringing a high-octane, bass-heavy energy to his productions. His sound sits between underground warehouse pressure and mainstage impact, earning support from artists like Calvin Harris and Carl Cox. Earlier cuts like the euphoric tech-house track ‘XTC’ were fast fan faves, but his recent output leans darker and more driving, with techno records like ‘When I Push’, ‘Be The One’ and ‘Diamonds On My Mind’ cementing him as one of the UK’s standout techno producers. Expect it hard, fast, and relentless.
Lilly Palmer
Whether you need a boost to get ready to go out out or something to push you through a PB at the gym, Lilly Palmer’s ‘Late At Night’ is the perfect hype record. In fact her whole catalog has a similar effect. The German DJ and producer just knows how to get people going. Known for fast, high-impact techno sets, Lilly Palmer’s sound balances raw intensity with moments of euphoria, making her a key figure in the new wave of techno artists breaking into global mainstages while staying rooted in the underground.
Honourable mentions:
NOVAH, MADDIX, blk., elMefti
The Garage Party
Silva Bumpa
The garage and bassline resurgence has seen UKG cross the Atlantic and land on huge global stages like Coachella and EDC. With broader audiences the sound is starting to skew more polished. Sheffield-born Silva Bumpa pushes against that shift, keeping things gritty, playful, and rooted in rough-edged samples and club-ready beats. He’s also proven himself a genre-bender, linking up with some of house music’s hottest names, including Josh Baker and Riordan. As one of the new wave of UKG artists shaping the sound, Silva Bumpa is set to make you ‘Wanna Party’.
Oppidan
Oppidan exploded onto the UKG scene in 2023 with her edit of The Chordettes’ ‘Mr. Sandman’. Flipping 1950s vocals with 2020s UKG energy, she blends time and sound into the perfect earworm. It’s one of those records that feels like it should have been bigger, but that may have worked in the Bristol-based talent’s favour. Over the past few years, Oppidan has built her reputation through standout DJ sets and a steady run of underground releases. She’s cool. And her music is built for the dancefloor: fast, fun, and made to move crowds, making her a regular fixture on UK club lineups and one of the most exciting names in the new wave of garage artists.
Honourable mentions:
diffrent, Rossi.
The Sing-A-Longs
Martin Garrix
Back in 2013, ‘Animals’ did something to our brains. A big room instrumental that clocked over half a billion streams? It landed at a pivotal moment when dance music was breaking into the mainstream and it was clear there was something special about Martin Garrix. The following year, at just 17, he became one of the youngest DJs ever to headline Ultra Music Festival.
Since then, Martin Garrix’ has gone on to produce some of the biggest electro-pop records of our generation, including ‘Scared to Be Lonely’ and ‘In the Name of Love’. A five-time winner of DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs (tied with Armin van Buuren and David Guetta) Garrix has been at the forefront of electronic music for over a decade. Catch him Saturday 29th of August at the Apex.
D.O.D
He’s a straight white man from Manchester. He’s also here for the girlies. His music feels like the sonic equivalent of a glass of rosé bubbles in the sun. Blending wistful, romantic vocals with uplifting house grooves and infectious basslines, D.O.D is quickly earning his stripes as a force majeure in the global dance scene. Records like ‘Still Sleepless’ and ‘So Much In Love’ put him on the map, but his 2024 hit ‘Somedays’ sent him into the stratosphere. It spent more than a year in the UK charts, earned a BRIT nomination for Song of the Year, and has accumulated over 350m global streams. And D.O.D’s only just getting started. His recent hit ‘Think About Us’ with Sonny Fodera and Poppy Baskomb might be his best yet. With an album on the horizon and a stacked international touring schedule, D.O.D’s Creamfields set is not to be missed.
Becky Hill
Becky Hill. The nation’s sweetheart. A two-time BRIT Award winner with over 10 billion career streams and 17 UK Top 40 singles. Mentored by Jessie J and first rising to fame on the UK’s debut season of The Voice in 2012, Becky’s since become the defining vocal of UK dance music. From ‘Gecko (Overdrive)’ with Oliver Heldens (her debut No.1) and D&B anthem ‘Afterglow’ with Wilkinson, to festival favourites like ‘Wish You Well’ and ‘Disconnect’, the Worcestershire native has soundtracked the last decade of UK dance culture. Come for Becky Hill, sing with Becky Hill, stay for Becky Hill.
Honourable mentions:
Duke Dumont, Armand Van Helden, MK
The Proper Naughty Stuff
![ANDY C live from the Worldwide Stage, Ultra Miami 2026 [Drum & Bass DJ Set]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QrggpHiltfM/0.jpg)
Andy C
Andy C is a true legend of drum & bass, arguably the best DJ the genre has ever seen. He’s the man responsible for popularising double drops – which have now become a synonymous feature of the genre. From early classics like ‘Valley of the Shadows (31 Seconds)’ to anthems like ‘Body Rock’ and ‘Heartbeat Loud’, and pivotal remixes like ‘Get Free’, Andy C’s catalogue has soundtracked generations of ravers. Whether he’s headlining festivals or deep in a late-night set, Andy C delivers relentless, high-impact performances that have cemented his status at the very top of the scene.
Culture Shock
When you go to a Culture Shock set, get ready to unleash your best bass face. The UK D&B producer effortlessly moves between liquid, dancefloor and more experimental sounds, always delivering diverse, high-energy sets. He first broke through in the early 2000s via Andy C’s RAM Records, quickly earning a reputation for technical precision and a distinct melodic touch, heard in tracks like ‘Visions’, ‘Miracle’ and ‘Renaissance’. He also become something of a remix connoisseur, putting his stamp on big records like ‘All The Things She Said’ and ‘Panic Room’. More recently, he joined forces with Dimension, 1991 and Sub Focus as part of the D&B supergroup Worship, leading them to take their sounds to huge global stages including Coachella and EDC.
Honourable mentions:
Hybrid Minds, Koven, Hedex
The Sets You’ll Want Auto Shazam On For
Ammara
Blending elements of trance, hard house and techno into her sets, Ammara is one of the most exciting new talents on the scene. She’s got the cool precision of Sara Landry or Ki/Ki, with the warmth of Marlon Hoffstadt or Hannah Laing, all wrapped up in her own mix of nostalgia, deep feels and hard bass. There’s just something special about Ammara. Her breakthrough hit ‘Heart Sign’, a rework of a DJ Panda classic, was supported by huge names across last summer’s festival circuit including Armin van Buuren, Jax Jones, Sim0ne and Will Atkinson. Most recently, her rework of The Tamperer’s ‘Feel It’ has become an earworm that hasn’t left my head or playlist in weeks. And her live sets showcase her crate-digging expertise. Ammara never fails to deliver the energy, and you’ll be wanting to know every ID she drops at Creamfields. Catch her Sunday 30th of August at Pepsi Max present Full On.
Partyboi69
With a name like Partiboi69, even if you’re not familiar with the Australian’s music, you know he’s here for a good time. In a genre renowned for its self-importance, Partiboi has that refreshing ability to not take himself too seriously. Blending hard-edged techno production with ’80s and ’90s rave energy and chaotic, satirical visuals, Partiboi69s carved out his own lane.
Between teaming up with Kettama for their joint project Ketboi69 and tracks like ‘K On My D + C’ and ‘Ketamine Dreams’, the Melburnian has built a reputation for music that pairs perfectly with dance music’s cheekier side. And his live sets are a special kind of mayhem – he’s a proper selector; expect chaos, euphoria, and plenty of bangers with Partiboi69. He’ll be going B2B with XCLUB on the Teletech Stage.
Honourable mentions:
Sarah Story, Symmetrik, Tommy Phillips, Chelina Manuhutu
Photo credits: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Spotify, Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images, Jason Koerner/Getty Images
