GALA Festival returns to Peckham Rye Park for 2026 with another expertly curated deep dive into underground club culture. Known for blending heritage selectors with forward-thinking innovators, this year’s lineup stretches across house, techno, bass, and beyond – firmly reinforcing its reputation as one of London’s most essential dance music gatherings.
Set in the heart of South London, Peckham Rye Park provides the perfect backdrop for GALA’s community driven atmosphere. With its open green spaces, tree lined walkways, and carefully designed stages, the venue strikes a balance between city energy and festival escapism. Its intimate layout means you’re never far from the action, allowing for seamless movement between stages while still capturing that close knit, dancefloor focused feel GALA is known for.
From boundary-pushing live shows to rare back-to-backs and genre-defining DJs, here are five must-see acts you shouldn’t miss.
Call Super
A true DJ’s DJ, Call Super sits at the intersection of technical mastery and emotional storytelling. Whether navigating leftfield house, ambient textures, or mind-bending techno, his sets are unpredictable in the best way; constantly shifting yet always cohesive. At GALA, expect a journey rather than a playlist, with deep crate selections and seamless blends that reward patient listeners. On a lineup packed with heavy hitters, Call Super’s subtlety and control make him one of the weekend’s most intriguing prospects.
Saoirse
Saoirse’s rise has been built on impeccable taste and a deep connection to the dancefloor, and her “TEM00” A/V concept promises something even more immersive. Positioned within GALA’s club-focused Saturday programming, her set reflects the festival’s commitment to innovation and queer-led underground culture. Expect high-energy house and techno woven with breaks and unexpected curveballs, delivered with the kind of precision that has made her one of the UK’s most respected selectors.
Hamdi ft D Double E
Friday at GALA leans into UK soundsystem culture, and few bookings capture that energy better than Hamdi alongside grime legend D Double E. This pairing bridges bass-heavy club production with raw MC energy, bringing a live intensity that stands apart from traditional DJ sets. Hamdi’s weighty, dubstep-leaning productions provide the perfect foundation for D Double E’s unmistakable flow. Expect mosh pits, reloads, and one of the most explosive moments of the weekend.
Or:la b2b Pariah
Back-to-backs are a GALA staple, and Or:la going head-to-head with Pariah is one for the proper ravers. Both artists are known for digging beyond the obvious, blending electro, breaks, techno, and UK-influenced rhythms into forward-thinking club sets. Together, they’re likely to push each other into unexpected territory; fast, percussive, and relentlessly creative. For dancers who like their sets a little left of centre, this is essential viewing.
Joe Claussell
Rounding up our must see list with a touch of spiritual depth, Joe Claussell represents the roots and soul of dance music. A veteran selector whose sets can span house, disco, Afro, and beyond, Claussell brings a sense of ceremony to the dancefloor. His inclusion on the lineup highlights GALA’s cross-generational ethos, connecting modern club sounds with their origins. Expect uplifting rhythms, extended blends, and a set that feels as much like a collective experience as it does a performance.
GALA Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration of everything that makes underground dance music special; community, curation, and a shared love of the dancefloor. Whether you’re chasing high-energy bass, intricate selectors, or soul-stirring house, these five acts offer a perfect snapshot of what the weekend has to offer.
Final tickets available here.
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