Mutations 2026

Brighton’s multi-venue festival is as thriving as ever, but there’s something that really makes Mutations stand out from the crowd. Taking place across ten locations throughout the city, the festival champions the next generation of bands in its showcase of indie, post-punk and beyond. This year’s lineup featured the new and the old — with headline performances from South London’s Fat Dog and legendary rapper Mike D of Beastie Boys fame.

Although the festival operates across the city, Chalk’s lineup on the Friday was so enthralling it was impossible not to stay for the whole day. Basht.’s punchy guitars and immense energy onstage make them one of the most exciting fresh bands emerging from Ireland’s flourishing indie scene. The Mutations veterans’ songs are intense and atmospheric but the atmosphere in the room is always relaxed.

Squid followed with their unique, out-there sound. The yelping vocals of drummer Ollie Judge rode over groovy basslines and sparkling synth, alongside strange, squeaking noises. The band boasted unusual instrumentation in their wide range of percussion (including a tin can!) and a trumpet. The first pits of the festival opened to ‘Swing (in a Dream)’ as the crowd bounced in euphoria. The set ended with ‘Narrator’, the last drop of the song signalling a final deluge of clashing bodies, a precursor of what was to come in the night’s headline set.

Off the back of their sophomore album Cancel Me (I’m Tired), Fat Dog have been on the prowl for the most energetic crowds and Brighton did not disappoint. Many were excited to hear songs from the new album performed in the flesh. Given the band had been touring their previous material relentlessly, new additions to the show like ‘Smile and Wave’ and ‘The Devil’ went down a treat. This whole set was a blur, each song a whirlwind of limbs, noise and good vibes. Fat Dog were in fine form with their jaunty electronic post-punk, but to the crowd it was all about the experience. The raucous energy of a Fat Dog crowd is always spectacular and tonight was no exception.

The late-night options at this year’s Mutations were as good as they’ve ever been. Working Men’s Club melded post-punk and techno with aggressive synths to match their in-your-face vocals. Over at the Hope & Ruin there were yet more synths, but The Itch felt more laid back than the spectacle before. Alongside airy guitars, the band layered rhythms perfectly for a velvety sound.

Back at Chalk, Scaler continued the night with a harsher, darker interpretation of the live synth sounds loved so much by Mutations. Their repetitive, entrancing patterns created epic techno soundscapes, with both abrasive and euphonious textures working together in harmony. Silverwingkiller closed the night, their rapid, chaotic drums and manic vocals meeting halfway between punk and acid techno with an unrivalled energy to end the first day of Mutations 2026.

Outside, Saturday was a complete washout, with nothing but torrential rain and wind — but inside there was the punk energy of Snayx, the shoegaze of Deary and the force that was Iguana Death Cult. Sheltering in Patterns was a small but dedicated group of fans of East London’s Murkage Dave. His softly-sung vocals perfectly complemented the band’s lo-fi instrumentation. These feel-good rhythms were the antithesis of the weather outside, and juxtaposed his gritty, down-to-earth lyricism.

Having performed in the city decades earlier with the Beastie Boys, Mike D made his return to Brighton in support of his debut solo album Thank You. Behind a massive setup were three DJs, who performed alongside live musicians. Two of the band members were Mike D’s own children, and their stage presence really embodied their father in his prime, which seemed to give him a new lease of life. The crowd were unruly and energetic, everyone keen to get their ‘Body Movin’’. Every new track went down incredibly well, but there’s nothing like the classics. The throwback hits included ‘So What’cha Want’ and ‘Remote Control’. Mike D is enjoying a second wind, and Brighton was lucky to get in on the action.

The festival’s afterparty also took place at Chalk, DJ Food opening things with a funky set. Mutations was closed by legendary DJ James Lavelle (of UNKLE and Mo’ Wax fame) performing as UNKLE Sounds, a set of his own tracks featuring the classics as well as lesser-known snippets. He blended seamlessly between trip-hop, electronica and heavier club mixes. This deep and rich journey through his discography ended the weekend on a euphoric high.

Mutations yet again proved that its lineup is the very best of the best. With up-and-coming and established artists alike playing Brighton’s most famous stages, the weekend was a beautiful reminder of the true talent the current indie scene has to offer. Tickets for 2027’s edition are on sale now.