Brighton Busker To Global Star — UK Album Chart Topper Ren Announced For Boomtown

Welsh singer-songwriter Ren has been confirmed as the latest artist to join the line-up for Boomtown’s Radical Redesign edition in 2026.

Ren shot to fame with his viral 2022 release “Hi Ren”, which tackled mental health, illness, and personal struggles.

Despite ongoing health battles, his second album “Sick Boi” became a UK number one in 2023, earning praise for its honesty and genre-blending sound.

The artist — who based himself in Brighton as part of local busking band 'The Big Push' — has also explored directing, with fans spotting his work on YouTube in the Sick Boi series.

Organisers say his inclusion adds to Boomtown’s eclectic mix of talent.

He joins headliners including Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, and Faithless, alongside acts such as Madness, Skrillex, Four Tet, Scooter, Shaggy, Ashnikko, Eve, Groove Armada, and Vengaboys.

Other performers confirmed so far include Shy FX, Princess Nokia, Skindred, High Vis, Mungo's Hi Fi Allstars, Elvana, Floating Points – Live, Sampa the Great, Sherelle, and Wilkinson.

Boomtown Fair is a five-day immersive festival held annually at the Matterley Estate, near Winchester in Hampshire.

The festival spans 1,250 acres and is split into eight themed districts, each with unique stages, live performances, and interactive theatre.

Founded in 2009, Boomtown has grown into one of the UK’s most ambitious independent festivals, known for combining music, performance, and storytelling within a fully-realised fictional cityscape.

Recent editions have seen a shift back to larger-scale layouts, new stages including Hydro XL and Lion’s Den, and a mix of live bands, electronic music, workshops, and wellness areas.

The festival is renowned for its environmental focus, banning single-use plastics and encouraging sustainable camping.

Ren’s appearance continues the festival’s tradition of spotlighting both breakthrough and established talent, blending immersive experiences with high-profile performances.

Tickets for Boomtown 2026 are now on sale.