Hard rock titans Alter Bridge have revealed details of their inaugural Blackbird Festival, marking a major milestone in their two-decade career.
The Florida-formed four-piece will make their long-awaited return to Wales — their first performance there in over seven years — when they headline TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle on Saturday, June 27. It’s set to be a huge summer night in the Welsh capital, with support coming from Welsh rock royalty Skindred, rising heavy hitters Florence Black, and the soulful rock outfit Cardinal Black. More names are expected to be announced in the coming months. Frontman Myles Kennedy reflected on the significance of the show:
“We realised we haven’t played Wales in over seven years. To make up for lost time, we thought it would be cool to do something extra special. So with that said, we are stoked to announce The Blackbird Festival. Not only does this commemorate 20-plus years of being a band, but it’s also a way to show our appreciation for the fans in Wales who’ve patiently waited for our return.”
For long-time fans, the festival title is a clear nod to Blackbird, the band’s beloved 2007 album, often hailed as their creative peak and a fan-favourite in their discography. It’s expected the set will be packed with classics from across their career, alongside cuts from their most recent releases.
The Blackbird Festival 2025 – Lineup so far
Alter Bridge – Formed in 2004 by former members of Creed alongside vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, Alter Bridge have built a reputation as one of hard rock’s most consistent and powerful live acts. Known for their soaring choruses, intricate guitar work, and anthems like Metalingus, Isolation, and the epic Blackbird, they’ve earned a dedicated global following over two decades.
Skindred – Hailing from Newport, Skindred are masters of genre fusion, blending heavy metal, punk rock, reggae, and electronic elements into their high-energy “ragga metal” sound. Fronted by the incomparable Benji Webbe, their live shows are renowned for their chaos, crowd participation, and relentless party atmosphere.
Florence Black – Emerging from Merthyr Tydfil, Florence Black have been making waves in the UK rock scene with their thunderous riffs, gritty vocals, and no-nonsense songwriting. Their sound pulls from classic hard rock and modern metal influences, earning them a reputation as one of Wales’ most exciting rising bands.
Cardinal Black – This Cardiff-based rock-soul group combines heartfelt songwriting with rich vocal harmonies and bluesy guitar work. Led by Tom Hollister, Cardinal Black’s music blends classic rock influences with a modern sensibility, earning critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase across the UK.
Tickets for the Cardiff Castle festival go on general sale Friday, August 22 at 9:30am BST, and demand is expected to be high.
Alter Bridge – What Lies Within Tour 2026
With special guests Daughtry and Sevendust
January
15 – Hamburg, Sporthalle
17 – Oslo, Sentrum Scene
18 – Oslo, Sentrum Scene
20 – Stockholm, Annexet
22 – Helsinki, Ice Hall Black Box
24 – Copenhagen, KB Hallen
25 – Berlin, Columbiahalle
27 – Gliwice, PreZero Arena
28 – Budapest, Barba Negra
30 – Vienna, Gasometer
31 – Zagreb, Bocarski Dom
February
2 – Rome, Atlantico
3 – Bergamo, ChorusLive Arena
5 – Zurich, The Hall
6 – Lyon, Halle Tony Garnier
8 – Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
10 – Lisbon, Sagres Campo Pequeno
12 – Madrid, Palacio Vistalegre
13 – Bordeaux, Arkea Arena
15 – Luxembourg, Rockhal
17 – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
18 – Paris, Zenith
20 – Munich, Zenith
22 – Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome
23 – Brussels, Ancienne Belgique
25 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
26 – Manchester, AO Arena
28 – Dublin, 3Arena
March
2 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
4 – London, The O2
5 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
One massive year ahead for Alter Bridge
With the Blackbird Festival anchoring their summer schedule and the What Lies Within Tour kicking off the year, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most celebratory periods in Alter Bridge’s history. From intimate arena nights across Europe to a historic Welsh festival debut, the band are ensuring fans everywhere get their chance to witness two decades of hard-hitting, heartfelt rock at its absolute peak.
