The Factory Stage offered a different kind of journey through Day 1 of Ankea Festival 2026, moving between psychedelic grooves, atmospheric rock, electronic textures and expansive post-rock. Our photographers captured Finnish experimental trio Virta, the progressive and cinematic sounds of Earthside, French psych-rockers SLIFT, the darkwave atmosphere of Kælan Mikla, and wrapping up our long day with the captivating and soothing post-rock of This Will Destroy You.

With such a varied selection of artists sharing the stage, the Factory Stage became a fitting showcase of the broader sonic palette of Ankea Festival. Take a look through our gallery and relive some of the moments we captured on the first day of the festival.