Making its debut on the beach in Portugal next summer, the festival unveils a star-studded lineup uniting the biggest names in global rap and electronic culture. Headliners including Gunna, Ken Carson, Chase & Status, D-Block Europe and special guest A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie lead a stacked bill over two days.
The Wake Stage features more rap frontrunners such as the likes of Lancey Fox and Destroy Lonely, whilst Bass and DnB heavyweights take over the Centre East Stage, from Hybrid Minds and Andy C, to DJ EZ, Skream, Flava D b2b Arthi, SHERELLE and more.
Portugal’s biggest dance festival NEOPOP will also curate a cutting-edge house and techno programme on the Centre West Stage, with names still to come.
Rhythm + Waves is set to make a splash as the most monumental unmissable festival debut in 2026, when it takes to the beach over 27 and 28 June. Two days, three massive stages, all championing the cross pollination of global sounds that are shaping modern culture like never before, Rhythm + Waves is designed as a future facing destination event in Europe’s most breathtaking beach setting.
Every detail of the festival is engineered for scale, immersion and atmosphere. Expansive ocean views with sand underfoot meet a world-class production to transform the Algarve coastline into a high energy cultural landmark, delivering a premium festival escape with no compromise.
As Rhythm + Waves introduces its first edition, the festival also sets the stage for an unprecedented cultural convergence, spotlighting the diverse global voices shifting rap and contemporary music. Standout figures Morad and Gazo lead the charge, representing the influential rap scenes of Spain and France. Both artists embody the festival’s vision of celebrating international perspectives, uniting audiences through shared energy, storytelling, and new sonic identities.
Building on this global momentum, even more artists are coming together for this lineup, each bringing the sounds of their home scenes directly to Portugal’s Praia da Rocha.
Brazilian trailblazer CHEFIN continues the surge of boundary pushing talent from the country’s explosive rap movement, while MC Cabelinho brings the unmistakable force of the country’s funk and hip-hop culture.
No stranger to festival lineups, Portugal’s own Wet Bed Gang add some hard hitting hip hop to the proceedings, and LA MANO 1.9 represents France’s most exciting new waves. Together, they form a dynamic collection of artists set to make Rhythm + Waves one of 2026’s most culturally rich festivals, and there’s still 30 more artists to be announced.
Uniting global powerhouses with emerging pioneers, Rhythm + Waves stands as a bold new destination for music fans worldwide, and a festival that promises a travel experience as unforgettable as the performances themselves. Next June, Rhythm + Waves isn’t just bursting out the gates with a blockbuster lineup, but delivering one of Europe’s most exciting new cultural landscapes, and an unmissable