More acts announced for AAF 2026
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Here is a tiny taste of some of the fantastic performers and events coming to Alton this July.
Remember: the full line up will be announced and tickets will go on sale in March, and mailing list subscribers will get access before anyone else! So tell all your friends to sign up, because in 2024 a couple of events sold out before they even went on general release.
In this announcement we’ve got some incredible comedy, magical music, a live recording of an award-winning podcast, AND an opportunity to unleash your inner ‘craftivist’!
Add these to the spectacular Katherine Priddy, the side-splitting ‘Is Opera Boring’, and the town-wide Ceilidh that we have already announced, AND the fact that this is only a fraction of what we’ve got planned for you… PHEW! It’s going to be an action-packed 10 days come July!
Marcel Lucont
Winner of Best Comedy Show at the Fringe World Awards, French comedian Marcel Lucont will be bringing his ‘Whine List’ to Holybourne Theatre.
As seen on Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Set List (Sky Atlantic), The John Bishop Show (BBC1) and Live At The Electric (BBC3), we’ve been told to ‘expect louche musings, dry wit and Gallic superiority.’
“Fresh, accessible and hilarious”
The Guardian
“Exceptionally dry… superb”
The Times
“His elegant, sardonic turns of phrase are an utter joy… superb stuff”
Time Out
The Subversive Stitcher
Holly Searle, aka the Subversive Stitcher, is an award-winning textile artist and self-described 'analogue child', who uses embroidery to draw attention to societal issues she feels strongly about.
In addition to exhibiting her Subverted Tea Towel Series, Holly will be running a special Subverted Stitching workshop at the festival, allowing us to create our own vintage tea towels as canvases of ‘craftivism’. Spaces will be strictly limited so make sure to secure your spot the moment they go on sale, in March.
Holly said, “Needlework is about so much more than making crafts. It gives us a voice and platform to express ourselves and bring key issues to light. I strongly believe that art is power and am thrilled to have the chance to share my craft and inspire the people of Alton at this year’s festival.”
Jordan Mackampa
Another act we are SO excited to announce is the fabulous Jordan Mackampa, a British-Congolese musician who began playing guitar and composing songs at age 12. He released his debut album Foreigner in March 2020, and the release of the ‘brazen and bold’ Welcome Home, Kid in 2024 saw Jordan return to his love of R&B, soul, funk and gospel.
Jordan has headlined at Radio 1 Big Weekend, performed for BBC Introducing, Last Time Out and Bergen Fest and supported Gabzy at Somerset House. He's had support from Radio 1 & Radio 1Xtra, been awarded the PPL / PRS Momentum Fund and sold out multiple venues including Scala, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Village Underground. And soon Alton Arts Festival!
Check out Jordan performing his track ‘MARY’ below. This is one event you don’t want to miss!
The Failing Writers Podcast
Described as ‘a podcast for everyone who has ever wanted to write a book... then put the kettle on instead,’ this award winning show hosted by self-confessed failing writers Tom Turner and Jon Rand has featured guests such as bestselling authors Gillian McAllister & Danny Wallace, comedy-folk like Adam Buxton & Jessica Knappett, poets Michael Pederson & Ian McMillan, BAFTA winners like Sally Wainwright & Jeremy Dyson and even Emily Bronte! (sort of). Each episode provides support for writers battling procrastination and fear, to navigate the creative process.
The team will be recording a live podcast – complete with guests and Q&A – at Goldfinch Books.
Jon Rand said: “We do all kinds of writing related stuff on the podcast, but one of our favourite things is interacting with our listeners and finding out what they’ve been writing. Normally we do that on social media or while hiding in a cupboard with a microphone, so we can’t wait to meet actual, human people in real life! As well as being part of a festival featuring so many other creative minds.”
Tickets for all these incredible events and more will go on sale at the end of March. We can’t wait to show you what else we’ve got planned…
