Emperor announced as first headliner for Fortress Festival 5th anniversary

Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor have been confirmed as the first headlining act for the fifth anniversary of Fortress Festival set to take place on 29-30 May 2027 at the Scarborough Spa in North Yorkshire. 

This will be Emperor’s only and exclusive UK performance in 2027. 

Gary Stephenson, Fortress Festival founder, said:

“It’s our fifth anniversary of Fortress in 2027 and we’re pulling no punches this time. Emperor, one of the biggest names in black metal, will close the festival with a headlining performance to show why this band is still such a phenomenon 20 years after their last studio album. We’ve sold out every edition of Fortress so far, and we expect no less to happen in 2027. So secure those tickets, and we will drop another dozen or so worldwide live debuts, UK exclusives and eye-watering bookings very soon for you all.”

Formed in 1991, Emperor are one of the most important and influential black metal bands. They are known for blending traditional black metal with atmospheric and symphonic elements. Landmark releases such as “In the Nightside Eclipse” and “Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk” introduced complex song structures and orchestral keyboards to the genre. Following an initial dissolution in 2001, the group’s live appearances became incredibly scarce. Their later reunion has been strictly limited to select festival slots and rare special engagements, making this upcoming Fortress Festival performance a highly anticipated UK event. 

The news follows the sold-out fourth edition of the festival this weekend, which boasted a stacked line-up of exclusive and rare performances, including Old Man’s Child, Gallowbraid, Dødheimsgard, Akercocke, Whoredom Rife, Abigail Williams, Vinterland and many more. 

Given the festival’s established track record of completely selling out every previous iteration, demand for the 2027 weekend tickets is anticipated to be very high. 

Tickets are now available to purchase: https://www.fortressfestival.co.uk/tickets