Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons are confirmed to headline the upcoming Hella Rock Festival. The event will take place on September 5 at the HMV Empire, an independent venue situated in the city center of Coventry, United Kingdom.
Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons were originally slated to headline the 2026 edition of the festival prior to the Motörhead guitarist’s passing in March. To honor his legacy, his sons and bandmates, Dane, Todd, and Tyla, will now take the stage under the modified Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons moniker. The group intends to deliver a heavy, high-energy set focused entirely on their father’s extensive work with Motörhead.
Festival director James Pilling addressed the lineup adjustment and the event’s emotional weight:
“We knew straight away this year had to mean more. Losing Phil Campbell hit the whole rock community hard, and we have worked closely with his family to make sure this is done right.”
Fans attending the festival will have several opportunities to pay their respects. Phil Campbell‘s iconic guitar rig will be exhibited at the venue, alongside a collection of touring backdrops spanning his decades on the road. Additionally, a memorial book will be available for attendees to leave personal messages and share memories.
The 2026 edition of Hella Rock also introduces the Road Crew Stage, a secondary performance area dedicated to stripped-down acoustic sets. Keeping with the overarching Motörhead theme, the festival has partnered with Road Crew beer for the event.
Phil Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 and served as a crucial driving force until the band dissolved in 2015 following the death of founder Lemmy. Operating as the group’s sole guitarist for their final two decades, he recorded on a long list of essential heavy metal albums, including Orgasmatron, 1916, and Bastards.
The confirmed lineup for the Hella Rock Festival is as follows:
- Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons
- Tailgunner
- King Kraken
- Silveroller
- Hell’s Addiction
- Beth Blade And The Beautiful Disasters
- Suns Of Rest
- Wälker
