Pelagic Fest announces first bands for 2026 edition

Iconic Berlin label Pelagic Records has announced its first wave of artists for Pelagic Fest 2026, which will unfold on 28th and 29th August at Muziekgieterij in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Including post-metal legends The Ocean, returning with a new lineup and a new album release coming soon, Pelagic Fest 2026 looks to be yet another sensational event from the esteemed label.

The Ocean are joined by The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble for an ultra-rare performance, Oh Hiroshima, EF, and more.

Get your tickets: https://muziekgieterij.stager.co/shop/pelagic

Pelagic comment: 

“We are excited to share a first glimpse on the lineup of Pelagic Fest 2026 with you.

“THE OCEAN will return to the stage of Muziekgieterij with a new lineup and a new album release just around the corner, to inaugurate the next chapter in their journey spanning 11 albums and 25 years of existence. This will be the first show for the European audience and the first opportunity to hear new material.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE to Pelagic Fest. 
After 10 years of hiatus, the collective reunited this summer for a single Berlin show, which sold out months in advance. The vibe in the room was sublime and full of anticipation, and proved that even after such a long hiatus their music has been all but forgotten. TKDE have pioneered and shaped a musical genre of their own with albums like Here Be Dragons‚ From The Stairwell and the self-titled 2006 debut album. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in their mesmerizing dark soundscapes.

“OH HIROSHIMA will return to the MainStage of Pelagic Fest with a new album that we can’t tell you more about at this stage, only that it’s coming out before the festival.

“EF will grace us with their 2025 re-recorded debut album Give Me Beauty… Or Give Me Death! in its entirety.

“SPURV will be releasing their new album Kelolågen next spring and LOST IN KIEV will drop We’re All Going To Be Fine in the summer, and Pelagic Fest will be your chance to watch them perform their new offerings in full. 

“THE DEVIL’S TRADE will bring us a full band performance this time, and PREDATORY VOID, OTAY:ONII, ZATOKREV, NORNA, ABRAHAM, HANRY and PREYRS will all make their debut appearance at Pelagic Fest.

“This is not the full lineup! More names tba.

“See you in Maastricht!”

Line-up so far:

The Ocean
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
Oh Hiroshima
EF
Lost in Kiev
Spurv
The Devil’s Trade
Predatory Void
otay:onii
Zatokrev
Norna
Abraham
Hanry
Preyrs

Founded in 2009 by post-metal spearheads The Ocean and their Berlin collective, Pelagic Records has grown into one of the most influential labels in the realms of post-rock, post-metal, and progressive/left-field heavy music. Over the years, Pelagic has worked with an impressive roster of artists, including MONO, Årabrot, Sugar Horse, Year of No Light, and Bruit ≤, among many others. Celebrating its 15th anniversary last year, Pelagic Records is focused on further solidifying its legacy by establishing Pelagic Fest as an annual event, an occasion that removes barriers and brings together artists and fans for a captivating celebration of the music that defines the label’s diverse and forward-thinking sound.