Boomtown scales its hydrogen-powered HYDRO XL stage to 20,000 capacity for 2026, moving it to Downtown and unveiling a huge lineup led by Skrillex, Four Tet and more
Boomtown has announced a major new step forward for festival innovation, revealing that its hydrogen-powered stage will return in 2026 on a far larger scale.
HYDRO XL, described as a world-first for a main festival stage, will grow by 150% and move to the heart of Downtown, taking over the former Origins footprint at next year’s event.
The much-loved festival, long known for combining cutting-edge music, immersive storytelling and progressive sustainability, first introduced HYDRO in 2025 as one of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered festival stages. Following a successful debut, the concept is now being expanded into one of Boomtown’s flagship arenas, increasing capacity from 8,000 to 20,000 people.
As one of the first main stages in the UK to run entirely on green hydrogen, HYDRO XL represents a significant moment for live events and clean energy. Powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, the stage is designed to deliver emission-free energy while still providing the powerful sound, lighting and large-scale production expected from one of Boomtown’s biggest spaces.
For 2026, HYDRO XL will sit within the futuristic Metropolis district, featuring a bold industrial design that promises an immersive and mechanical visual identity. The stage will also play a central role in Boomtown’s famous narrative experience, hosting one half of both the opening and closing ceremonies where the city’s storyline begins and ends through performance and spectacle.
Boomtown has also unveiled the first wave of artists set to perform on the stage, with a lineup spanning house, techno, bass and forward-thinking electronic music. Headliners include Skrillex, Four Tet and Floating Points (Live), alongside Groove Armada and hard-hitting acts such as Brutalismus 3000, 999999999, VTSS, Azyr and Oguz.
Elsewhere on the bill, DJ EZ joins the lineup alongside Eats Everything B2B TSHA, Sherelle’s AV show, KILIMANJARO B2B Oppidan, Rossi. B2B Silva Bumpa, Diffrent, Notion, Effy B2B Ross From Friends and Marlon Hoffstadt.
Boomtown Co-founder and CVO Luke Mitchell said the success of the original HYDRO stage inspired organisers to scale up the idea. He praised partners GeoPura for helping make the project possible and said he hopes the wider events industry will embrace green hydrogen technology in the future.
With hundreds more artists still to be announced, Boomtown Chapter 5: Radical Redesign aims to continue rethinking how festivals operate, from infrastructure and energy use to creativity and connection.
The 17th edition of Boomtown takes place from Wednesday 12 August to Sunday 16 August 2026 at Matterley Estate in the South Downs National Park. More information is available via the official Boomtown website.
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