SonicBlast Fest begins today with Bongzilla leading the opening celebrations

As SonicBlast Fest 2026 opens its gates today, promoter Garboyl Lives has already set its sights on the future by announcing the dates for next year’s edition. While thousands of fans gather for four days of stoner rock, doom, sludge, psychedelic rock and underground heavy music, the festival has confirmed that SonicBlast Fest 2027 will take place from 12 to 14 August 2027, ensuring the event’s continued presence on the European festival calendar. This year’s edition begins with the traditional warm-up party, headlined by Bongzilla, whose long-awaited Portuguese debut is among the festival’s most anticipated performances.

The most significant addition to this year’s programme is Bongzilla, who make their long-awaited Portuguese debut, after 2023 cancellation. Formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1995, the American quartet have become one of the defining names in sludge metal, combining slow, crushing riffs with unmistakable stoner influences. Albums including Stash, Gateway and Amerijuanican established the band as a cult favourite within the international underground, while their uncompromising live performances have earned them enduring recognition across the heavy music community.

SonicBlast offers a particularly notable opportunity to experience Bongzilla, as the band will perform twice during this year’s edition. They headline today’s warm-up party before returning to the main festival stage on 6 August, giving audiences two chances to witness one of sludge metal’s most influential acts in what also marks their first-ever appearance in Portugal.

The opening celebrations also feature Portuguese thrash metal outfit Capela Mortuária, while Spanish heavy psych band Free Ride joins the official programme on the first festival day. Alongside these final additions, the organisation has confirmed a scheduling adjustment, with Deathchant moving to 7 August and Necrot now performing on 8 August, allowing the festival timetable to be finalised ahead of the opening day.

Beyond today’s opening, SonicBlast once again presents a programme that reflects its identity as one of Europe’s most respected festivals dedicated to underground heavy music. The 2026 edition welcomes internationally recognised acts including High on Fire, Turbonegro, Deafheaven, Chat Pile, Voivod, Kylesa, Elder, Conan, 1000mods, Midnight, Dead Meadow, The Casualties, Frankie and the Witch Fingers and many others, bringing together several generations of artists across the stoner, doom, sludge, hardcore and psychedelic rock spectrum.

Since its inception, Garboyl Lives has developed SonicBlast into one of Portugal’s most distinctive festivals, attracting audiences from across Europe through a carefully curated programme and a setting that combines beach, forest and underground music culture. Rather than following mainstream festival trends, SonicBlast has remained committed to cultivating a community centred on heavy, experimental and psychedelic music, earning international recognition in the process.

As the festival opens today, Bongzilla’s Portuguese debut provides one of the defining moments of this year’s edition. Together with the latest programme additions and timetable adjustments, SonicBlast Fest 2026 is set to deliver another celebration of heavy music that reflects both the festival’s established identity and its continued commitment to presenting influential names from across the international underground.