“They set the trap, and we took the bait.“
Returning for its fourth iteration, No Play has quickly become a staple of the Liverpool scene. Split amongst some of the city’s best venues, it quickly won over locals and began to pull in attention from across the rest of the UK — and 2026 looks to step things up once more. Set to span five venues, each with its own quirks, the festival looks to continue its meteoric rise, putting on some of the best up-and-coming talent from around the world.
Even with the headliner yet to be announced, we’ve already been blessed with a bounty of fantastic talent emblazoned across the poster. One notable name is Spaced, who you may recall us gushing about after their 2000trees performance last year. This New York hardcore outfit has a penchant for keeping fans on their toes. Blending that OG hardcore sound everybody’s come to know and love with punk influences and catchy sing-along moments, Spaced have been on the up for some time now, and with the release of their latest EP, NO ESCAPE, in October of 2025, they show no signs of stopping. We’re already buzzing at the thought of their set, and you should be as well.
Alongside Spaced are the Bay Area’s very own Spy, who’ve quickly made a name for themselves globally due to their impressive, lightning-fast punk style and infectiously fun live performances. Having toured across the globe with the likes of Deafheaven and Loathe, they’re a no-brainer must-see act, and seeing them at No Play will undoubtedly be something special.
But it’s not only US bands up there on the bill, with Leeds’ very own Pest Control looking to bring their thrashy crossover style to the streets of Liverpool. Pest Control is dominating the scene right now, and has been for some time. Their crossover style is something rarely done, and even more rarely done well, but they pull it off with ease. With an impressive track record already, it’s about time we saw them toward the top of a festival lineup, and there’s no better place for this than No Play. Don’t mess with the pest, be there, or regret it.
Of course, it’s not all hardcore, though, with there being plenty of genre diversity already amongst the smattering of first wave bands. Liquid Mike look to bring emo tunes to the fest, and with it being their first time playing in the UK, it will undoubtedly be something to remember. There’s also metalcore representation, with Ones To Watch pick IMISSYOUALREADY in attendance. One of the UK’s most promising new metalcore acts, their live sets are quickly becoming legendary, and having just released their debut EP, of teardrop stained glass and a dream i once had, they’ll be wanting to show off their skills.
That’s not even all of the bands announced, and there’s already plenty to look forward to! Whether you’re a hardcore kid, metalcore lover, or an eyeliner-donning emo, No Play is quickly looking like a fantastic option this year already, and with the promise of even more to come, and the headliner yet to be announced, No Play has absolutely got plenty more surprises in store.
No Play 2026 takes place in Liverpool city centre on the 5th of September, with tickets available for purchase here.