SoundArt Festival Malta Announces 2026 Festival Programme

Two days of live music, visual arts, creative workshops, exhibitions and local makers will take place on 23 and 24 October 2026

SoundArt Festival Malta has officially announced the programme for its 2026 edition, with the festival set to take place over two days on Friday, 23 October and Saturday, 24 October 2026. Bringing together live music, visual arts, creative exhibitions, industry workshops and local makers, SoundArt Festival Malta 2026 will once again provide a space for artistic expression, collaboration, learning and community.

The festival opens on Friday evening with a programme centred around live music, art and creativity, featuring an exciting line-up of established and emerging acts from Malta alongside an international guest.

Headlining the evening will be Nomad Son, one of Malta's best-known doom metal exports, who will return to the stage for their first live performance in a considerable period. Formed in 2006, Nomad Son developed a distinctive take on traditional doom metal, combining the weight of classic doom with strong 1970s hard-rock influences and Hammond-driven atmospherics. The band, featuring veteran Maltese bassist Albert Bell, has built an international reputation through releases including First Light, The Eternal Return and The Darkening, as well as performances at major European metal festivals including HOD in Germany.

Joining Nomad Son will be fellow Maltese act Damaged & Co., an alternative/melodic metal band whose musical journey began with Kill o'Clock before evolving into its current identity. The band released its debut album, Life's Grand Delusion, in 2023 and has subsequently continued developing its blend of melodic and alternative metal. Damaged & Co. are also signed to the international label Wormholedeath, giving the group an increasingly wider presence beyond the local scene.

The international dimension of Friday's programme comes from Oatshwan, who will bring a Greek presence to the festival's musical line-up. Oatshwan's appearance adds another international element to SoundArt Festival Malta's commitment to creating connections between local and overseas artists. Publicly available information on the Greek act is currently limited, and the festival programme therefore provides an opportunity for Maltese audiences to discover the band directly.

Completing the live music programme are Weeping Silence, one of the longest-established names in Malta's alternative metal scene. Formed in the mid-1990s, the band has spent decades developing its atmospheric approach to gothic and doom metal. Their catalogue includes albums such as End of an Era, Theatre of Life, For the Unsung, Opus IV: Oblivion and Isles of Lore, while their live history includes appearances at festivals in Malta and overseas, including MetalDays in Slovenia and Dames of Darkness in the United Kingdom.

Beyond the music, Friday's programme will also highlight Malta's emerging artistic talent. Visitors will be able to view exhibitions featuring work by young students from the Visual and Performing Arts School (MVPA), offering the opportunity to experience the creative work of a new generation of Maltese artists.

A creative market will further contribute to the festival atmosphere, bringing together local vendors presenting handmade goods, artwork, crafts and other unique creations. The market will complement the musical and artistic programme while providing a platform for local makers and independent creatives.

Doors on Friday, 23 October, open at 18:30.

The festival continues on Saturday, 24 October, shifting its focus towards learning, professional development and artistic exploration. The day will feature a programme of industry workshops delivered by professionals from the music and wider creative industries. Through their experience and expertise, the workshop leaders will address a variety of subjects relevant to musicians, artists and creatives, providing participants with opportunities to learn, exchange ideas and gain practical knowledge.

Art will remain an important part of the Saturday programme, with exhibitions continuing throughout the day and providing visitors with further opportunities to discover the work of emerging artists.

Doors on Saturday open at 08:30.

Participation in Saturday's workshops requires a €10 day ticket. Participants must complete both stages of the registration process: first completing the official workshop registration form and then purchasing the €10 day ticket through Ticketboot.com. Both steps are required for registration to be considered complete.

Workshop registration form: SoundArt Festival Malta 2026 Workshop Registration

Tickets for SoundArt Festival Malta 2026 are available through Ticketboot.com, with early bird tickets available until 3 September 2026.

A special discount is also available through Musicians Wanted Malta. The discount code WR8N6N can be used when purchasing tickets through Ticketboot.com and will remain valid until the eve of the festival.

With its combination of live performance, visual art, creative enterprise and professional workshops, SoundArt Festival Malta 2026 aims to bring together different areas of Malta's creative community while strengthening links with artists from abroad. The return of Nomad Son to the live stage, performances by Damaged & Co. and Weeping Silence, the international appearance by Greece's Oatshwan, alongside exhibitions, makers and industry workshops, promises two days that place creativity and artistic collaboration firmly at the heart of the festival.

SoundArt Festival Malta 2026 takes place on Friday, 23 October and Saturday, 24 October 2026.