Progressive rock fans across the South Coast, mark your calendars! On Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August 2026, The 1865, Southampton (SO14 3HA) hosts the Solent Area Prog Festival. Bringing together an incredible lineup of acclaimed art-rock pioneers, virtuosic multi-instrumentalists, and celebrated progressive rock acts, this two-day indoor festival promises a weekend filled with intricate soundscapes, spectacular live musicianship, and an unbeatable community atmosphere.
Event Schedule & Timetable
The Solent Area Prog Festival takes place across two days at The 1865 in Southampton on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August 2026:
- Festival Dates: Saturday 1st August – Sunday 2nd August 2026
- Doors Open: 1:30 PM (Both Days)
- Curfew: 11:00 PM (Both Days)
- Venue: The 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton (SO14 3HA)
- Age Guidance: 8+ (Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult).
Lineup & Daily Schedule
An extraordinary weekend gathering featuring top-tier progressive rock pioneers, multi-instrumentalists, and unique concept performances:
- Saturday 1 August Lineup: Headlined by theatrical art-rock powerhouses EBB, alongside Cephid (featuring Moray Macdonald and his live LASER harp), ex-Enid vocalist That Joe Payne, folk-prog favorites The Wood Demons, solo visuals & guitar from Colin Masson (The Morrigan), and an intimate unplugged performance by The Hayley Griffiths Band.
- Sunday 2 August Lineup: Headlined by the Lee Abraham Band (performing their only UK show of 2026), Galahad, Tiger Moth Tales (featuring multi-instrumentalist Peter Jones of Camel), the reformed original line-up of Kepler Ten, and a rare solo set by former IQ/Jadis keyboardist Martin Orford.
Ticket Prices & Booking Information
Single day and full weekend passes are available via official festival ticketing outlets:
- Full Weekend Pass (Sat & Sun): £70.00 face value (£71.75 including booking fee)
- Saturday Day Ticket: £40.00 face value (£41.00 including booking fee)
- Sunday Day Ticket: £40.00 face value (£41.00 including booking fee)
- Booking Links: Purchase tickets directly via The 1865 Box Office, Gigantic, or See Tickets.
How to Get to The 1865
The 1865 is centrally located on Brunswick Square, right off Bernard Street and near historic Oxford Street:
- By Foot: A short 5-minute walk from Southampton High Street, Above Bar Street, or Oxford Street.
- By Bus: Local city buses stop frequently nearby on Queensway, Bernard Street, and Marsh Lane.
- By Train: Southampton Central Railway Station is roughly 1.0 mile away (a 15–20 minute walk or short taxi trip).
Where to Park near The 1865
Convenient parking options located right beside and around the venue include:
- Perma-Park Brunswick Square: Open-air surface car park located directly beside / opposite The 1865 venue entrance on Brunswick Square.
- College Street Car Park: Pay-and-display car park located just a 2-minute walk away (SO14 3DZ / SO14 3EJ).
- Gloucester Square Car Park: Multi-storey and surface car park situated a short walk away on Gloucester Square (SO14 2GH).
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things to do across the city? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover the latest festivals, live music, theatre shows, and community events happening near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Solent Area Prog Festival taking place?
- The festival takes place over two days on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August 2026. Doors open at 1:30 PM on both days.
- Where is the festival held?
- The event takes place indoors at The 1865, located on Brunswick Square, Southampton (SO14 3HA).
- Who is performing at the festival?
- Saturday features EBB, Cephid, That Joe Payne, The Wood Demons, Colin Masson, and The Hayley Griffiths Band (Unplugged). Sunday features the Lee Abraham Band, Galahad, Tiger Moth Tales, Kepler Ten, and Martin Orford.
- How much are tickets?
- Full weekend passes are £70.00 advance (+ £7.00 booking fee). Single day tickets for either Saturday or Sunday are £40.00 advance (+ £4.00 booking fee).
- Is there an age restriction for the festival?
- The event is suitable for ages 8 and over. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Where can I park near The 1865?
- Convenient parking options include Perma-Park Brunswick Square (directly beside the venue), College Street Car Park, and Gloucester Square Car Park.