Introducing a bold and refreshing new chapter in Europe’s festival landscape, the next generation has arrived with the emergence of Rhythm + Waves. Making its debut on the beach in Portugal next summer, the festival unveils a star-studded lineup uniting the biggest names in global rap and electronic culture.
Featuring:
KEN CARSON - GUNNA
CHASE & STATUS
D-BLOCK EUROPE
MORAD - GAZO
VERY SPECIAL GUEST:
A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE
HYBRID MINDS, DESTROY LONELY, ANDY C, DJ EZ, SKREAM, LANCEY FOUX, SHERELLE AND MORE
ON THE GOLDEN SANDS OF THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
SATURDAY 27TH - SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
PRE-SALE BEGINS WEDNESDAY, 3RD DECEMBER AT 10 AM
GENERAL SALE THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER AT 10 AM
Headliners including Gunna, Ken Carson, Chase & Status, D-Block Europe and special guest A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie lead a stacked bill over two days. The Wake Stage features more rap frontrunners including the likes of Lancey Foux and Destroy Lonely, whilst Bass and DnB heavyweights take over the Centre East Stage, from Hybrid Minds and Andy C, to DJ EZ, Skream, Flava D b2b Arthi, SHERELLE and more. Portugal’s biggest dance festival NEOPOP will also curate a cutting-edge house and techno program on the Centre West Stage, with names still to come.
Rhythm + Waves is set to make a splash as the most monumental unmissable festival debut in 2026, when it takes to the beach over 27th and 28th June. Two days, three massive stages, all championing the cross pollination of global sounds that are shaping modern culture like never before, Rhythm + Waves is designed as a future facing destination event in Europe’s most breathtaking beach setting.
Every detail of the festival is engineered for scale, immersion and atmosphere. Expansive ocean views with sand underfoot meet a world-class production to transform the Algarve coastline into a high-energy cultural landmark, delivering a premium festival escape with no compromise.
Headlining the debut edition is Gunna, one of the most influential voices in contemporary rap, fresh from chart topping releases, viral anthems and an unstoppable run that has seen him shape the sound of a modern trap sound worldwide. Sitting alongside is Ken Carson, who brings a sharp, futuristic sound of Atlanta’s new wave to Portugal. A leading figure of the Opium movement and one of the most streamed young rappers on the planet, Ken represents the next generation of global rap energy, a perfect match for a festival built on cross genre evolution.
True innovators in fusing cultural sounds and moments, Chase & Status are not only the most in-demand drum and bass duo but perfectly reflect the forward-thinking and collaborative spirit of Rhythm + Waves. As they continue building their legacy with a catalogue that spans chart-topping platinum records, groundbreaking sets and some of the most important club cuts of the past two decades, this set alone will be worth booking that unforgettable summer vacation for. Bringing that all important UK flavour to the Wake Stage, D-Block Europe will demonstrate why they’ve become one of the most successful rap collectives of the last decade. Consistently delivering chart dominating mixtapes, and record-breaking arena performances, these pioneers have reshaped British rap entirely and are a vital addition to Rhythm + Waves’ first outing. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie also joins the lineup as one of New York’s defining voices, performing a special guest set on the Wake Stage.
As Rhythm + Waves introduces its first edition, the festival also sets the stage for an unprecedented cultural convergence, spotlighting the diverse global voices shifting rap and contemporary music. Standout figures Morad and Gazo lead the charge, representing the influential rap scenes of Spain and France. Both artists embody the festival’s vision of celebrating international perspectives, uniting audiences through shared energy, storytelling, and new sonic identities.
Building on this global momentum, even more artists are coming together for this lineup, each bringing the sounds of their home scenes directly to Portugal’s Praia da Rocha beach. Brazilian trailblazer CHEFIN continues the surge of boundary-pushing talent from the country’s explosive rap movement, while MC Cabelinho brings the unmistakable force of Brazil’s funk and hip hop culture. No stranger to major festival lineups, Portugal’s own Wet Bed Gang add some hard hitting hip hop to the proceedings, and LA MANO 1.9 represents France’s most exciting new waves. Together, they form a dynamic collection of artists set to make Rhythm + Waves one of 2026’s most culturally rich festivals, and there’s still 30 more artists to be announced.
Uniting global heavyweights with emerging pioneers, Rhythm + Waves stands as a bold new destination for music fans worldwide, and a festival that promises a travel experience as unforgettable as the performances themselves. Next June, Rhythm + Waves isn’t just bursting out the gates with a blockbuster lineup, but delivering one of Europe’s most exciting new cultural escapes, and an unmissable summer adventure for 2026.
Rhythm + Waves’ debut edition takes place on Praia da Rocha Beach, Portimão, The Algarve, Portugal between 27-28 June 2026. Sign up now for priority access tickets with Pre-sale starting Wednesday 3rd December at 10am GMT and General Sale available Thursday 4th December at 10am GMT, via: https://www.rhythmandwaves.com/