No Play Festival returns to Liverpool on September 5th, bringing more than 30 bands to five stages across the city centre.
Now entering its fourth year, the independent festival has Stick To Your Guns heading up its 2026 line-up alongside Spy, Pest Control, Roman Candle, Dream State, Spaced, Liquid Mike, Bodyweb, Last Wishes, Crowquill, Without Love and more.
Four additional bands have also recently joined the bill. Hell Can Wait will headline the Best Life Records Stage, with Not Without Punishment, Defiance and Shortdaughter completing the latest additions.
A big part of No Play’s setup this year is its “five stages, no barriers” approach, with the festival operating without crowd barriers throughout the day.
“No barriers all day is something we’ve wanted to do since we started, it’s how this music is meant be experienced,” explains festival founder Ted MacDonald. “The fest has really grown over the last few years and to have the two biggest stages in Arts Club running back to back as well, it’s gonna go off!”
There’s also a strong focus on Liverpool’s own scene. The Guillotine Stage will take over the Jacaranda Basement, featuring local artists who have come through No Play’s monthly Guillotine Sessions, while Kazimier Stockroom will host a Best Life Records takeover showcasing the label’s roster alongside emerging UK acts.
The team behind No Play have been involved in Liverpool’s music scene for more than a decade, with the festival remaining independently run as it has grown. Previous editions have featured Higher Power, Vukovi, Guilt Trip, SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Heriot, Split Chain and Glare.
Reckless Press will be heading to No Play for the first time this September. We’ve heard plenty of good things about the festival over the last few years, so we’re looking forward to being in Liverpool and covering this year’s edition.
We’ve also teamed up with No Play to give away two tickets to the festival. The competition is running over on the Reckless Press Instagram, with full entry details available on the competition post!
No Play Festival 2026 takes place across Liverpool City Centre on September 5th, with tickets currently priced at £62.85 including fees.