Community 2026

Following its biggest show to date last year, ‘Community’ gets even bigger on what would normally be Glastonbury weekend with even more of a festival style set-up.

Now making the main theatre its permanent home with new timings of 3pm till 11, this year also sees the introduction of a second stage in the café area – sponsored by Cellar Rooms Rehearsal Studios.

With 8 hours of non-stop music, come and enjoy 14 of the best acts around with absolutely no risk of getting wet or having muddy boots.

The members of this year’s Community are (in alphabetical order):

 

BLUEWALK

Bluewalk are a three, sometimes four, sometimes five-piece indie band described as having a rosy, romantic sound that recalls the warmth of summer.

Combining a love of the hummable melodies and sugary harmonies of the 60s with a strong rhythmic sway that recalls bands like the Stone Roses and The Police, Bluewalk are already being touted as ones to watch on the Birmingham scene.

For Community, expect a more stripped back set but a still rich seam of catchy, hook-driven songs with big choruses and maybe some left field instrumentation.

 

CHARM

Charm are known for their explosive live energy, memorable melodic hooks and anthemic songwriting.

2025 saw them make their first major UK festival appearance, secure notable support slots with upcoming artists like Andrew Cushin and The Molotovs, receive national radio airplay and achieve a sell-out Birmingham headline show of their own as they continue to build momentum as one of the region’s most exciting emerging bands.

 

FITZROY HOLT

Fitzroy Holt is a Wolverhampton singer-songwriter who has lived through the volatile experiences touched on in his songs, fusing bluesy rock riffs, R&B and soulful soundscapes with masterful energy.

Having signed a record deal with 25 Hour Convenience Store – the label founded by Gary Powell of The Libertines –  the debut album  ‘Around The Wrekin’ comes out in April and simply has to be heard live! Expect a sound that has blues in its bones, punk in its pulse and an unpredictability born from Black Country grit.

 

FUZZ COUNCIL

Fuzz Council are a ticking time bomb of a band.

Born in Birmingham with Irish roots, this energetic quartet fuse far-flung garage rock with an unmistakable punk sensibility.  Under their former name of Fergy LH, the band’s debut single ‘Talk It Out’ achieved ‘Track of the Week’ on BBC 6 Music with plays from Huw Stephens, Craig Charles and Emily Pilbeam.

Named as one of BBC Introducing’s ‘Ones To Watch 2026’, their chaotic and enthralling live performances have gained a list of notorious support slots with bands including Big Special, The Dream Machine and Hak Baker.

 

HEADWIRED

Headwired are an indie rock band infusing melodic guitar riffs with catchy basslines, pounding drums and powerful melodies.

Since forming in 2023, their star continues to quickly rise – highlighted by numerous sold out headline shows at increasingly larger venues as well as having performed at established UK festivals like Lakefest.

If you love the big guitar sound of bands such as Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, plug yourself into Headwired now!

 

JACK FLETCHER

The name of Jack Fletcher will be familiar to everyone with even a passing interest in the local music scene.  He has long been praised for his sensitive songwriting and louder, indie-rock full band shows – with songs highlighted for their emotion and nostalgic appeal.

Now regularly sharing stages with acclaimed artists such as Andrew Cushin and The Sherlocks, Fletcher is finally starting to achieve recognition outside of the West Midlands as his soft West Midlands twang and soulful, emotive vocals reveal him to be warm, real and authentic.

This is your chance to hear those songs in their truest form as Jack headlines the new Cellar Rooms Rehearsal Studios stage, where he will be joined on stage by Chris Eardley-Lazcano and Leon Harrison James.

 

JANIQUE JAMES

Janique James is a Birmingham solo singer-songwriter when she is not being the front woman of NOT SOUP.

Her music is a by-product of life’s subtle chaoticism in the form of intricate jaunty guitar riffs & poetic lyricism.  Heavily influenced by her everyday life working in offices, the monotonous and obligatory daily grind presents itself in her sarcastically abstract and surreal lyrics.

 

KERRY WORTON

Describing her sound as Black Country acoustic-rock, Kerry Worton draws inspiration from the musical heritage of West Midlands roots to create her unique rock fusion style – for which she has had recent viral acclaim.  As well as her self-titled work, she is also a guitarist and backing vocalist for Indie power band Spoon Speaker Man, which features members of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Power Of Dreams.

With her debut album ‘Raw:Roar’ set for release in April, fans can anticipate a remarkable evolution in her music – transitioning from her acoustic-rock roots to a full studio experience that highlights her dynamic artistry.

 

 

MAZEPPA

MAZEPPA are a four-piece band from the Black Country with classic influences ranging from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, ink Floyd and Neil Young to more modern artists such as Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines.

The band’s use of lead bass lines, Bonham-esque drum beats, anthemic choruses and harmonised vocals with thought-provoking lyrics make their songs a unique message to their audiences: be free from control.

 

ROB FELLOWS

Rob is head beard of the Cellar Rooms Rehearsal Studios in the heart of Wolverhampton city centre and bassist for grunge/punk noiseniks BLACK TAPE.

On his own, however, Rob is a master of more delicate sounds.  With a musical career that started on piano at the age of four, clarinet at age eight and bass guitar by 15, Rob evolved to the six string whilst at Uni which led to his songwriting and singing. Be prepared for his completely unexpected and softly delivered voice when armed only with an acoustic guitar.

 

SAM LAMBETH

“Uncle Tupelo meets Oasis” is how Sam Lambeth describes himself as the long-term fan of alt-country leans more fully into the subgenre.

With an impressive back catalogue of bittersweet earworms, Lambeth has been described as playing “surging rock and roll” by Louder than War and “mesmeric, clattering grunge rock” by NME, as well as being featured in Rolling Stone magazine. He’s received airplay on BBC Radio One and Radio X as well as playing sold out shows across the UK and supporting acts like Lemonheads, The Bluetones and We Are Scientists.

 

SLEUTH

Described as ‘clever indie’ by Slap Magazine, Sleuth has been played on BBC 6 Music by Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson (who described the single Punchbag Pinups as ‘vividly disturbing”) and featured a number of times on BBC Introducing as Artist of the Week.

The Express & Star once also ran an article with the headline ‘no mystery to this man’s talent.’

 

THE SPOILS

The Spoils are Wolverhampton’s rising indie force, delivering a storm of jagged guitars, grunge-soaked energy and lyrics that hit straight to the heart.

They craft a sound that is equal parts raw power and melodic finesse, inspired by current icons such as Fontaines D.C. and Wunderhorse as well as Midlands favourites such as Ocean Colour Scene.

The Spoils have built a reputation for electrifying live shows that leave crowds buzzing and their reach is growing fast. Catch them while you can as bigger venues await.

 

WE WERE KINGS

We Were Kings were formed in memory of a lost brother, to write songs centred around love, hope and friendship.

Brother Andrew’s wake could not have happened without live music.  Friends who had previously been part of other bands reconnected and played, with no words to describe that day and that performance.

Having performed a short, impromptu set at last year’s ‘Community’ there was never any chance they wouldn’t be invited back to play a fuller set this year.