OUTER WAVES

It's just ten short weeks until Outer Waves Festival once again takes over the Invisible Wind Factory & Make for 2 days of sonic experimentation & boundary pushing performance. We are very happy to once again be working with AV maestros Sam Wiehl & Kromavision (Venya Krutikov) framing the incredible performances across all 3 stages with their bespoke lighting and visual alchemy. Our open call is now closed - we've been totally blown away by the number & quality of the submissions - our 5 successful applicants have now been notified and will be announced v soon! We still have a series of workshops, commissions, panel discussions and more to announce - keep your eyes peeled for the final line up drop coming at the end of March. There are still a limited number of £60 weekend tickets available - these wont last much longer so snap one up while you still can! See you in May!

We are now accepting artist submissions for Outer Waves Festival 2026. We are looking for artists working in alternative, underground and experimental music and sound, as well as performance and audio-visual practice, to perform as part of the festival’s main programme. Applicants based in the Liverpool City Region and those from underrepresented backgrounds will be prioritised. How to apply Email: hello@outer-waves.co.uk Subject line: Artist Submission Please include: – A short description of you and your music – Links to your work Deadline: 24th February, 12pm Successful applicants will be informed by 3rd March 2nd release tickets now onsale & selling fast! Get yours below --->

We're extremely excited to announce the 2nd wave of artists playing OW26! LORD SPIKEHEART, the boundary-smashing force of African extreme music, brings his ferocious blend of death-metal growls, industrial chaos and raw, ritualistic energy to Outer Waves 2026! Fresh off global acclaim for his debut The Adept and the explosive EP REIGN, he’s redefining heavy music with collaborations spanning Iggor Cavalera to Arka’n Asrafakor. Expect a blistering, visceral performance that surges from hypnotic rhythms into full-throttle catharsis—igniting mosh pits, shaking foundations and leaving crowds buzzing long after the final scream. The line up will also include the neo-classical electronica of CARMEL SMICKERSGILL, gothic industrial duo GY!PA, the cinematic compositions of LUCE MAWDSLEY, the 70's punk infused garage rock of MINCEMEAT & Bristol's premium alt-rock experimenters, HAAL. Last few £40 tickets still available - snap em up before its too late!

OUTER WAVES 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We are beyond excited to reveal the first wave of artists playing OUTER WAVES FESTIVAL next year - 23rd & 24th of May 2026! Featuring: Irish folk mystics OXN (featuring Radie Peat of Lankum), The percussive industrial minimalism of Catalan duo DAME AREA, Ex Swans legends JARBOE featuring THOR HARRIS & JOY VON SPAIN, Japanese tribal electro bass duo WAQWAQ KINGDOM, Syrian euphoric maestro MOHAMMAD SYFKHAN, Liverpool art poppers a.P.A.t.T., Ever-anarchic prog punks UNSTOPPABLE SWEETIES SHOW, & Surrealist jazz noise pop newbies DOMESTIC PARTNERS! Many more to be announced! Weekend Tickets Starting at £40 23rd & 24th May, Invisible Wind Factory and Make Liverpool. Supported by Arts Council England

FEBRUARY 1ST 2026: QUARRY & OUTER WAVES PRESENT ERASERHEAD XIU XIU; An exploration of the sonic and visual universe that is David Lynch’s Eraserhead! ERASERHEAD XIU XIU is new a live concert by XIU XIU with accompanying film that uses field recordings, concert specific homemade instruments, organ, modular synths, vocals, flashlights, electrical interference and elements of musique concrete to express the bizarre emotionality, conflicted sexuality, relentless darkness and singularly unsettled moonscape of this most incredible of midnight masterpieces.