Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. Three Days Grace. Hellfire is cooler. France has issued a nationwide ban on alcohol at state music festivals. However, the bars remain full at Hellfest, no doubt with people sensibly hydrating. Three Days Grace enter the arena cauldron to unleash their totemic anthems on the fired-up, water-hosed mass. “Here we fucking go,” announces the band.
Head-bouncing beats, and devil’s fingers are thrown forward like a soccer crowd egging on their heroes. Their drummer, Neil Sanderson, is heavy.
Dual singers, Adam Gontier and Matt Walst, criss-cross the stage, connecting with fevered front rows. Opening with Dominate from their 2025 album disproves the adage that the old ones are the best, sending the moshers into action.
Being a relative noob to Three Days Grace, I wondered if their albums would translate to live. The answer is oh yes. This is no snoozefest. It is scampering fun with everyone either pitting, surfing or dancing and all of them are singing.
Matt Walst and Adam Gontier are the focus, supported by the lead guitar of Barry Stock and Brad Walst (the lead singer’s brother), on bass. Classic after classic rock the masses. Animal I have Become, Never Too Late, Painkiller, this is a set that keeps the devotees and less familiar jumping.
The circle pits are a whirlpool, while the crowd surfers stream over the top. When the two meet, it gets tricky, but the pit soldiers, like ants in a nest, quickly redirect the excited, smiling surfers to their destination.
Security never stop. A conveyor catch line of the brave, the wasted and the crazy.
When talking to the crowd, they say the first ever song they released, I Hate Everything About You, has helped people through divorces, breakups and jail sentences.
Those fans who have lived these songs are taken into their emotional core. Straight after they drop the song Riot as a finale.
The reaction is frenetic and crazy, this has been a catharsis and a stinkingly hot, wildly fun rollercoaster of a set.
HELLFEST 2026
Prepare to be consumed by the relentless energy of the most influential bands in Heavy Metal as they ignite the Hellfest stages with blistering performances. The immersive atmosphere of Clisson will immerse you in a dark, captivating experience like no other.
With its unparalleled lineup and unwavering commitment to the spirit of metal, Hellfest 2026 promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of sonic mayhem. Read all the Heavy Metal News at MetalTalk.
MetalTalk Hellfest 2026 coverage can be found at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2026.
This year’s MetalTalk team is:
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For Hellfest 2023, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2023.
For Hellfest 2022, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2022.
