Festival News | The Night Before Uprising headlined by VIKING SKULL & MORE (22.5.2026)!

The annual ‘Night Before UPRISING’ returns to the Firebug on Friday 22nd May 2026. The night will be hosted by the DJs of TotalRock with guest DJ slots.  

For those who are unfamiliar, TotalRock — the station was launched in 2000 by Tommy Vance and a group of rock music visionaries, including Programme Director Tony Wilson and Managing Editor Malcolm Dome. TotalRock pioneered the concept of a dedicated rock radio station in the UK, building an enviable reputation for launching the careers of bands and DJs alike.  

So… who will be bringing the party to ‘The Night Before…’?  

Headlining the evening is none other than Corby’s finest, VIKING SKULL, originally formed in 2002 with Raging Speedhorn members Frank Regan, Darren Smith and Gordon Morrison. The alcohol-fuelled, rock and roll heavyweights like to party and will deliver a set which will span their 23-year career.

Joining VIKING SKULL will be one of UPRISING’s favourites, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, having performed previously at UPRISING 7 in 2024. The band went on to release their highly anticipated debut album, ‘City’, and has proceeded to deliver critically acclaimed sets at some of the UK’s prestigious festivals, including Takedown, Bloodstock, and Radar Festival, to name a few.  

Opening the evening are local legends of Leicester, the one and only MAGE, another favourite at UPRISING, for fans of monstrous riffs and huge choruses. The band are back and bigger than ever with a brand new album to promote titled ‘Hymns from the Afterlife’. It’s not UPRISING without MAGE.