There’s something about a packed-out room on Sadler Gate that just feels right, and on Saturday 21st March, Mr Shaw’s…
By K Futur LOCALOn Saturday 21st March, Derby’s city centre was transformed into a living, breathing hub of experimental sound, underground electronic music and boundary-pushing performance as Psychic Dancehall Festival returned for 2026. Spread across three venues and four stages, this one-day event curated by James Thornhill delivered one of the most diverse and immersive festival experiences the city has seen in recent years.
TRENDNG was invited down to experience it first-hand, and with Phil Hartnoll of Orbital headlining, alongside a carefully curated lineup of forward-thinking electronic artists, it was an easy yes. From the moment the day began, it was clear this was not just another festival. This was a statement about where Derby’s underground scene is heading.
A Festival Built Into Derby’s DNA
Psychic Dancehall 2026 was cleverly spread across three distinct venues, each offering its own atmosphere and identity.
At the heart of it all stood The Wardwick, a historic building that perfectly embodied the festival’s ethos. Old architecture met futuristic sound. Tradition collided with experimentation. It felt symbolic of Derby itself, a city rooted in heritage but constantly evolving.
Just around the corner, Electric Daisy provided a more laid-back environment. Acting as both a social hub and wristband collection point, it became a sun-soaked retreat throughout the day. DJs moved between genres effortlessly, from jazz and chillout to big beat selections, while punters grabbed a pint and reset between sets.
A ten-minute walk away sat Dubrek Studios, one of Derby’s most important grassroots venues. Hosting both its main room and the infamous “Psychic Bunker”, Dubrek delivered some of the most intense and immersive moments of the festival. Dark, raw, and packed with energy, it was the perfect contrast to the Wardwick’s grandeur.
Between the three venues, the format encouraged movement. By the end of the day, it felt less like attending a festival and more like navigating a city-wide sonic journey. Around 25,000 steps later, it was safe to say this was a full-body experience.
Opening Atmospheres and Early Highlights
The day began strongly at the Wardwick with Hexial, whose set immediately set the tone. Backed by an impressive LED light display, the performance blended industrial house, breakbeats and ambient textures into something cinematic. There were moments that felt reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails, with dark sci-fi undertones cutting through heavy, glitch-driven rhythms. It was immersive, atmospheric and the perfect opening statement.
A brief stop to catch Well Dressed DJ brought a welcome injection of classic rave energy. Old-school selections reminded everyone exactly where this culture comes from.
Ivan the Intolerable followed at the Wardwick, delivering a standout live performance. A three-piece pushing psychedelic, experimental electro jazz, their use of saxophone and layered soundscapes created something both intricate and expansive. It was a reminder that electronic music does not need to rely solely on decks and laptops.
Across the City: Dubrek and the Bunker
Heading over to Dubrek Studios, with a quick detour to Electric Daisy to catch Andy McAllister spinning electro dancehall and ragga-influenced beats, the shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Inside the Psychic Bunker, Many Other Functions brought high-energy, funky electronic house that filled the tight space with movement. It was sweaty, loud and exactly what you want from a hidden room deep inside a venue like Dubrek.
Madrigirl, the alternative performance persona of Jude Rees, delivered one of the most unique sets of the day. Combining bagpipes, crumhorns, looping pedals and dark organ synths, the result was something that felt almost spiritual. There were moments that leaned into Celtic folk, others that felt like dark ritualistic performance. It was haunting, beautiful and completely original.
AYUSP followed in the bunker with ambient, kosmische-inspired soundscapes. Their performance felt rooted in landscape and environment, translating rural inspiration into deep, atmospheric electronic textures that filled the room.
Bright Moments and Uplifting Sounds
Back at the Wardwick, Haiku Salut offered a complete tonal shift. Describing themselves as pastoral electronica from Derbyshire, their blend of live instrumentation, accordion, trumpet and electronic layering created something uplifting and warm. It felt expansive and cinematic, building gradually with each track.
A quick glimpse of Jake Mehew spinning chilled jazz selections provided another reminder of the festival’s range. No two acts felt remotely similar, yet everything sat comfortably under the Psychic Dancehall umbrella.
Experimental Edges and Artistic Risk
One of the most fascinating moments of the entire day came courtesy of Amoeba Forecast in the Psychic Bunker. Walking into a red-lit room to find a strange sculptural instrument centre stage was unexpected to say the least.
Created by sound artist Mack Shahini, the piece, titled “Echo”, functioned as both sculpture and instrument. Built from recycled materials including old instruments and guitar pick ups, it generated live soundscapes as part of the performance. This was not just music. It was installation art, performance art and sonic experimentation combined. One of the most unique experiences of the day.
Afromerm continued that experimental streak with a deeply atmospheric set. Combining synths, theremin-style instrumentation, piano loops and subtle vocal layering, the performance felt dreamlike. Hand gestures controlled elements of the sound, adding a visual dimension that enhanced the immersive quality.
Sm^sher brought a different kind of intensity. Using looping pedals and layered vocals, the set moved between heavy hip hop-inspired beats and haunting melodic passages. Dark, hypnotic and emotionally charged, it was a standout solo performance from a member of Voka Gentle.
Live Energy and Genre Defiance
Voka Gentle themselves later took to the Wardwick stage and delivered one of the most energetic sets of the festival. Impossible to define by genre, their sound fused experimental rock, electronic elements and dance rhythms into something completely their own. With projected visuals enhancing the performance, the trio brought a level of cohesion and energy that had the crowd fully engaged.
Immersion, featuring Colin Newman and Malka Spiegel-Newman, delivered a euphoric blend of psychedelic indie electronics. Their set balanced atmosphere with rhythm, creating a sense of uplift that carried across the room.
Into the Night: Heavier Sounds and Packed Rooms
As the day pushed into evening, the energy intensified.
Pye Corner Audio delivered dark, driving techno at the Wardwick, with stripped-back beats and deep basslines creating a hypnotic environment.
Back at Dubrek, House Cloud brought deep, pulsating house that had the room moving, while James Glew’s set introduced glitchy, emotionally driven electronic textures reminiscent of Aphex Twin.
Clum kept the bunker bouncing with a raw, hardware-driven set built around sampling and classic techno influences.
Buffee delivered one of the most atmospheric vocal performances of the night, blending trip hop, ambient textures and haunting melodies into something rich and layered.
The Headliner: Phil Hartnoll Delivers
All roads eventually led back to the Wardwick for the headline set from Phil Hartnoll.
A true pioneer of UK electronic music, Hartnoll wasted no time in reminding the Derby crowd why he remains one of the most respected figures in the scene. Dropping iconic Orbital tracks including Belfast, Halcyon, Chime and The Box Pt. 2, the set was a masterclass in building and releasing energy.
Unexpected moments, like mixing in Heaven Is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle, added a playful edge, while the closing moments, including Doctor?, sent the crowd into full euphoria.
It was nostalgia done right, but never reliant on it. Hartnoll’s energy behind the decks made it clear he is still fully immersed in the culture he helped shape.
After Hours and Final Moments
As the Wardwick emptied, the crowd naturally gravitated back to Dubrek Studios, where the night continued.
Electroni Kongo brought a powerful fusion of Congolese rhythms and techno, filling the room with layered percussion and modern electronic energy. It was a fitting continuation of the festival’s ethos, global sounds meeting underground electronic culture.
The afterparty carried on into the early hours, with Burly Chassis closing things out in true underground fashion.
A Festival That Pushes Boundaries
Psychic Dancehall Festival 2026 was not just about music. It was about exploration. It challenged expectations, introduced new sounds and created space for artists who operate outside of traditional genre boundaries.
The collaboration with Kikimora Records added another layer of depth, with artists like Voka Gentle, Afromerm, Buffee, House Cloud, Sm^sher, Electroni Kongo and Amoeba Forecast all contributing to one of the most forward-thinking lineups seen in Derby.
From ambient soundscapes and experimental installations to rave classics and high-energy techno, the festival never stood still.
James Thornhill and his team delivered something genuinely special. A day that encouraged discovery, rewarded curiosity and proved that Derby’s underground scene is not only alive but evolving.
A hazy ale brewed by Neon Raptor in hand, thousands of steps behind and a head full of new music, one thing was clear.
Psychic Dancehall is not just a festival. It is a movement.
And if this year is anything to go by, next year cannot come soon enough.
