SOFIA LIVE FESTIVAL opens the door to its sixth edition with two powerful names that clearly outline the festival’s ambition to present some of the most significant and energetic bands on the contemporary rock and alternative scene.
On June 27 and 28, 2026, Vidas Art Arena in Borisova Gradina will once again be home to one of the most anticipated music events in our country, and the program will be kicked off by the British post-punk sensation IDLES and the Canadian rock giants Three Days Grace, who will headline the evening on June 27. Two bands that never leave the audience indifferent and united in one evening, promise a real musical explosion. The rebels IDLES will be making their first appearance on the Bulgarian stage, while the Canadians from Three Days Grace are returning to our country, but for the first time together with their original vocalist Adam Gontier, a historic moment that fans have been waiting for for more than a decade.
“This year we want the festival to be bolder, more emotional and even more recognizable on the international map. IDLES and Three Days Grace bring tremendous energy and authenticity that perfectly fit into our philosophy – live music should be experienced, not just listened to,” says Ruth Koleva, co-founder of the festival.
IDLES are coming to Sofia at a time when they are among the most discussed and influential bands on the alternative scene. Formed in Bristol in 2009, they deftly navigate between punk and its subgenres of post-punk and art-punk, combining furious guitar riffs, percussive rhythms and messages that never fail to resonate. Their music is an edge-of-the-seat mix of rawness, self-deprecation, political and social sensitivity, while their lyrics boldly delve into themes of unity, identity, toxic masculinity, class tensions and human vulnerability. IDLES have established themselves as one of the most important and uncompromising bands of their generation. Known for their raw energy, cathartic live shows and raw emotional candor, they have gone from underground cult band to global powerhouse, garnering GRAMMY, BRIT and Mercury Prize nominations.
Their five studio albums, from the explosive Brutalism to 2024’s TANGK, remain among the most talked-about alternative releases of the last decade, thanks to which IDLES have built a global community united by defiance, vulnerability and joy. Live they are an element, a band that not only plays, but transforms the scene, selling out arenas across the UK, headlining major festivals like Glastonbury and playing around the world to ever-growing audiences.
Their appearance at SOFIA LIVE FESTIVAL marks their first visit to our country and promises a meeting that fans of raw, meaningful and emotionally charged post-punk are eagerly awaiting and will undoubtedly be one of the big events of the summer season.
The British rebels are joined by Three Days Grace, one of the most successful modern rock bands of the 21st century, who will arrive in Bulgaria for the first time with their original vocalist Adam Gontier, who will stand shoulder to shoulder with Matt Walst. After their spectacular reunion, Three Days Grace have announced their return to Europe in 2026 with a large-scale tour and Sofia Live Festival is part of it. On June 27th, Bulgarian fans will finally be able to see the iconic voice behind the hits that shaped an entire generation.
The multi-platinum Canadians balance between furious hard rock anthems and introspective ballads, and on stage at the Vidas Art Arena a setlist is expected that includes their most iconic songs “I Hate Everything About You”, “Never Too Late”, “Animal I Have Become”, “Pain”, as well as brand new material on which Adam Gontier and Matt Walst are working together. Three Days Grace have 19 #1 rock hits, over 5 billion streams, millions of albums sold and a reputation as a band that dominates the stage with super energy and precision.
Their return to Bulgaria promises to be triumphant and will go down in the history of the festival with double vocal power and a new charge.
Meanwhile, the festival is receiving new recognition, for another year SOFIA LIVE FESTIVAL is among the nominees for the most prestigious festival awards in Europe — European Festival Awards, in the “Best Small Festival” category (up to 10,000 people capacity). The nomination solidifies its place among the leading independent festivals on the continent and emphasizes its ambition to develop the music scene in Sofia and the region.
Tickets for SOFIA LIVE FESTIVAL can be found at www.sofialivefest.com, at ticketstation.bg, the Eventim network and partner box offices.
Promotional prices until the next names on the festival’s poster are announced are 150 BGN/ €76.69 for a two-day pass and 99 BGN/ €50.62 for a one-day ticket.
