Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield – Day Three – Wunderhorse

At this point, we were at the half-way point of both the bank holiday weekend and the festival, with mixed weather over the previous couple of days and some killer acts, it was difficult not to be excited. However, it was the day that the rain really came, it didn't dampen spirits, but it did not stop all day, alot of the area was a little bit of a mudbath and for this reason, it was safest (and driest!) primarily under the big top. First up for us was the Irish alt-rock group, Basht… Basht. opening up the Big Top Main Stage at Rock N Roll Circus 2026 in Sheffield – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford The Irish five-piece started their set with their tune 'Keira Knightley' before teasing through their other song catalogue, their track 'Gone Girl', felt particularly good and this is when you could feel the band really settling in! To say it was a miserable day weather wise, the band did attract a fair few in early, and their finish of 'Wild Horses' was a really nice way to finish the set. CHECK OUT WHAT BASHT. ARE UP TO HERE Next up was another band from across the Irish Sea… Gurriers set at Rock N Roll Circus 2026 in Sheffield brought it all, including a big crowd surf! – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford Gurriers was next, and you only had to look at not just how big the crowd was, but also how intense they were, from the second they stepped on the stage, it was non-stop chaos, in the best way possible. They kicked off the set with 'Nobody's Coming to Save You' which got an incredible reaction and seemed to set the bar, but little did we know that that would be exceeded, the band oozed post-punk, from attitude to interaction to general feel of the set, at one point, a mass crowd surf, complete with guitar, a bold and brave move, but one gratefully received by fans! From experience alone, this is not a band to be missed, it was an electric set and atmosphere. FIND ALL THINGS GURRIERS HERE After that energetic performance, there wasn't much time to rest and recover, with Manchester's Westside Cowboy taking the stage… Westside Cowboy on stage at Rock N Roll Circus 2026 – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford The Manchester four-piece strolled onto the Big Top Stage and looked like they were ready to turn heads, having warmed up their voices at Leeds Festival earlier that day (how do they do that?!) they had this seamless energy throughout, despite I imagine being shattered from the day already, and the crowd lapped it up, it was smooth, probably the right amount of crowd interaction and just full of harmony throughout, it was just a bloody lovely set. SEE WHAT WESTSIDE COWBOY ARE UP TO HERE Next up is London's Fat Dog… Fat Dog on the Big Top Main Stage of Rock N Roll Circus 2026 – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford I wasn't sure what to expect from their set, but I'd heard a few people talking about how good their live sets were earlier in the day and after chatting, I was told to expect a big set. And I wasn't disappointed, the frontman was bouncing all over the stage and I plenty of time going up to (and sometimes in!) the crowd, that alone turned a lot of heads and it was hard not to at least be nosey at what was happening. The set was unfiltered, fun and brilliant chaos from start to finish and would have been brilliant for anyone, even those who aren't really into their genre of music. SEE WHAT'S NEXT FOR FAT DOG HERE Next up, was Baxter Dury… Baxter Dury performing on the Big Top Main Stage at Rock N Roll Circus 2026 in Sheffield – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford Having seen Baxter Dury previously at Tramlines Festival, I knew he was capable of an entertaining set, it felt the most nostalgic set of the day, whilst still feeling a little modern in places. Strolling onto the stage, it was clear the was the sharpest dressed today in a suit, his interaction with the crowd was something to be admired, almost feeling like a slam poetry open mic, but in the best way possible, it was difficult not to be allured by the charisma. The music was enjoyable, with a healthy mix across his ever expanding catalogue, it was a brilliant atmosphere in the big top and topped off with Dury's funky dance moves. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BAXTER DURY HERE ALL THE LATEST TRENDING RGM NEWS HERE It was now time for the main event, in the form of headliner's Wunderhorse… Rock N Roll Circus 2026 Saturday Headliners Wunderhorse in Sheffield – Photo Credit: Lauren Basford It has to be said that it's a huge nod that the only sell out of the 2026 festival was Wunderhorse, they're one of the breakthrough artists of the last few years and have been quickly building up their fanbase and the Big Top tent alone proved that. The band swanned onto the stage and it felt like they were oozing with excitement, it didn't feel cocky, just a healthy amount of confidence, if anything, played down. They began the set with the song 'Midas', and the reaction from the crowd was wild, it set the tone immediately and it was one big grungey party, the singa-long from the crowd was seriously impressive and it was definitely the right choice to open up with. The musicianship of the band is something to be admired, whilst the band have grown with popularity in recent years, it isn't just down to the songwriting and general attitude of the band, but the pure skill they have, it's clear that they love their craft and dedicate a lot of time for it. It was an incredible and honestly, underrated choice for headliner, even for a sellout crowd, I don't doubt they'll be playing even bigger stages next year, a brilliant way to close the day. FIND ALL THINGS WUNDERHORSE HERE A very wet day, but, it was absolutely brilliant, it was nice to see more up and coming bands on the lineup for today, rather than the usual big names, it just goes to show that there is still a thirst for new music and hopefully more festivals follow suite. WORDS AND PHOTOS BY LAUREN BASFORD CHECK OUT RGM'S FESTIVAL COVERAGE HERE FIND ALL THINGS ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS HERE