Ward XVI

Not content with the decimation left behind them during their ID3NTITY TOUR of the UK in 2025, WARD XVI proudly announce the Spring leg of their stage show in Spring 2026.


Sat 28 March the junction Plymouth
Sun 29 march the anvil Bournemouth
Mon 30 March The Croft Bristol
Tues 31 March fuel Cardiff
We’d 1 April castle and falcon Birmingham
Thursday 2 April Waterloo Blackpool
Friday 3 April parish Huddersfield


Come along and witness the legion in a show quoted to be the most insane on the independent metal scene where we will again be joined by Pulverise.
“In a scene dominated by soundalike bands, Ward XVI not only provide something different but make you remember them by having enough variety in their music to stand by itself as well as taking their staging far beyond others going down the costumed route. Impressive.”- MetalTalk

https://youtu.be/bvIuLwrNZBU?si=PXyV2WXS9Z9nuWHY






 

With five stages spread across three city-centre venues, this is shaping up to be the biggest edition of Mangata Festival yet. 

Mangata Festival 2026 will once again feature five stages, working closely with Rescue Rooms, Rock City, and The Tap & Tumbler.

Rescue Rooms will host the Main Stage, with the Red Room stage upstairs, located at Masonic Place, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham (NG1 5LB). 

Just a few minutes away, Rock City on Talbot Street (NG1 5GG) will host the Beta stage and the Black Cherry Lounge stage. 

Around the corner, the Tap & Tumbler at 33 Wollaton Street (NG1 5FW) will host the fifth stage, which will be free entry with no ticket required.

On the Rescue Rooms Main Stage, joining previously announced Raised By Owls, Red Method, and In Search of Sun, Mangata will welcome main stage headliners, ten56.

Known for their raw aggression, crushing production, and uncompromising live performances, ten56. continue to push boundaries within modern heavy music. 

Also joining the main stage lineup are The Hara, Confessions of a Traitor, and Wolves Don’t Sleep.

The Rock City Beta stage welcomes a powerful lineup alongside previously announced Hidden Mothers and Hundred Year Old Man.

Instrumental rock duo Nordic Giants will headline the second stage, bringing a captivating and visceral live experience that defies conventional description. 

They are joined by Ward XVI, Gürl, Dacara, and Firmament. 

𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

WARD XVI’s song BLOOD IS THE NEW BLACK has been voted as number 25 in Metal Hammer’s track of the year 2025!

25. Ward XVI – Blood Is The New Black
“Taking horrocore and amping up the theatricality, Ward XVI’s Blood Is The New Black heralded the arrival of the band’s new album Id3ntity. Chucking up old school Priest style guitars (them again!), chugging riffs and even ska guitars, it’s a wild track befitting a wild and colourful band. The lunatics have well and truly taken over the asylum.”- Metal Hammer

An incredible achievement for an independent band facing off against some giants of the industry.

The track is from our new album ‘ID3NTITY’ which is also in the poll for their album of the year.

Here to listen…. https://open.spotify.com/track/1PPW0za71jyQ5geXBeJowS?si=xiKB5SDUSGu6tw3Iy5chVg

The resurrection of WARD XVI is in full flow as the band are set to release their explosive new album, Id3ntity, which is out on Friday 11th July, via Earache. The alluring six piece will unleash their enticing new single and video, We Are Legion, which arrives on Friday 23rd May. WARD XVI have also just announced an extensive UK Autumn tour.

For tickets and details, see –

https://wardxvi.com/tour-dates/ .
Armed with an intense drive to push artistic boundaries, WARD XVI, draw from
heavyweights such as Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper, to modern heavyweights,
Ghost and Skindred. WARD XVI are recognised as a formidable act in the rock and
metal scene and are evenly skilled at producing their stage show to the club circuit
and key venues such as the London Roundhouse and larger festival stages parallel
to Bloodstock.
Past single, Blood Is The New Black, was premiered by Kerrang! Radio, picked up
a number one chart position at Primordial Radio, and has been widely praised by
fans and media alike. Now loaded with a new single, We Are Legion, which has
also just been premiered by Kerrang!, and with a glut of live shows and festival
appearances on the way, WARD XVI’s calling is growing stronger and stronger by
the day……
WARD XVI live this October:

Saturday 18th – Hidden, Dundee;

Sunday 19th – Ivory Blacks, Glasgow;

Monday – 20th The Cluny, Newcastle;

Tuesday 21st – Yardbirds, Grimsby;

Wednesday 22nd Nightrain, Bradford;

Thursday 23rd – O’Rileys, Hull;
Friday 24th – Firebug, Leicester;

Saturday 25th – Brickmakers, Norwich;

Sunday 26th – Cart & Horses, London;

Monday 27th – Levels, Swindon;

Tuesday 28th – The Cobblestones, Bridgwater;

Wednesday 29th – The Bunkhouse, Swansea;

Thursday 30th – The Station, Cannock;

Friday 31st – Blitz, Preston.