The Cure, Gorillaz and Moby lead debut PhillGood festival in historic Bulgarian city
A new festival is entering Europe’s summer circuit with scale, intent and a sense of place that feels deliberate rather than decorative.
PhillGood, a three-day, multi-genre event, will debut from 17 to 19 July 2026 in Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The festival takes over the city’s Rowing Canal, positioning contemporary live music within a landscape shaped by Roman ruins, Ottoman architecture and a cultural life that has long existed beyond tourism shorthand.
The inaugural edition is led by The Cure, Gorillaz and Moby, anchoring a lineup that moves freely between alternative rock, electronic music and politically charged live performance. The wider bill includes Wolf Alice, Kneecap, Just Mustard, Sleaford Mods, Apashe with The Brass Orchestra, Thievery Corporation, Perturbator, Suede and Einstürzende Neubauten, with more names still to be announced.
The programme is spread across three days with a clear narrative arc. Friday 17 July is headlined by The Cure, marking the band’s first-ever performance in Bulgaria. Saturday 18 July centres on Gorillaz, joined by Kneecap and Sleaford Mods. Sunday 19 July closes with Moby, bringing the festival to a more reflective conclusion. Beyond the main stage, two additional stages will operate with distinct musical identities, widening the festival’s range without collapsing into genre sprawl.
PhillGood is the latest project from Fest Team, whose recent programming has steadily expanded Bulgaria’s presence on the international touring map. Here, the ambition feels less about scale alone and more about alignment: global artists placed within a city that carries its own historical and cultural weight.
Three-day, single-day, VIP and camping tickets are on sale now.
PhillGood Festival
17–19 July 2026 | Rowing Canal, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
