The second half documenting 1MU’s trip to noisy, radical Birmingham, with reviews of Guttersnipe, Bong II, Microplastics, and more…

Supersonic Festival returns to Birmingham in 2026 as a smaller, “limited edition” run—but it’s still as uncompromising as ever. The lineup leans hard into experimental territory, from ØXN’s dark, drone-laced folk to boundary-pushing acts like Milkweed, Thorn Wych, and noise-rock provocateurs Prostitute, alongside hardcore, throat-singing, and audiovisual oddities. Offstage, the fest keeps its DIY spirit alive with workshops, art, and offbeat side quests, proving that even scaled down, Supersonic remains one of the most forward-thinking and sonically adventurous festivals out there.