Invincible Fest 2026

The first edition of Invincible Fest had gotten off to the worst possible start. Originally scheduled at the open-air Eur Social Park, it was meant to serve as the dress rehearsal for Rome's fast-approaching summer 2026. Instead, due to bad weather forecasts, the four-day event (running Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 May) was moved 48 hours before it began to the indoor venue of Hacienda, in the Tiburtino district, which had already hosted events by the same organisers in the past. A quick word spread on social media, a few phone calls to friends and acquaintances, and the situation was saved, even if in a smaller-capacity space, one nonetheless able to preserve the intimate atmosphere of a live club. That atmosphere proved especially decisive on the festival's first day, Thursday 14 May, dedicated to more rock-oriented sounds. Gates opened right at 8pm, with plenty of curiosity surrounding this new event in the capital; a beer, a bit of chat, some already crowding by the barrier, others relaxing on the deckchairs set up outside. Forty-five minutes later, Ultraglass officially kicked off the 2026 edition of Invincible Fest, their sound often closely recalling the new-new-wave of Interpol. Ultraglass played several tracks from their 2024 album, "Crystal Soft Black", closing with an unreleased song that hints at what's to come on their next record.

It was the perfect warm-up for the crowd ahead of the set by Gurriers, an Irish band formed during the pandemic who established themselves in the wake of the success enjoyed by Fontaines D.C., Murder Capital and the many Dublin-scene bands that have defined the recent post-punk revival. The songs on their debut "Come And See" hinted at a bright future ahead, often recalling both Fontaines D.C. themselves ("Nausea" moves along much the same lines as "Hurricane Laughter") and Idles. Live, the band lose none of their bite, doling out a preview of a few tracks that will feature on their second album, "Nobody's Coming To See You", due out on 25 September.
The most eagerly awaited act of the opening night, though, are Maruja, from Manchester, a strongly politicised, openly pro-Palestine outfit. On stage they unleash the best of everything they've recorded so far, starting with the songs from "Pain To Power". Often placed alongside the much more talked-about Kneecap, Maruja present a distinctive line-up: rhythm section, vocals and saxophone, with the guitar rarely slung over frontman Harry Wilkinson's shoulder. It's a crossover (dipped in a highly personal brand of hardcore-jazz) that recalls both Rage Against The Machine and the much younger Turnstile, with the crowd surprisingly singing along to most of the lyrics by heart. Amid Palestinian flags, spectators shouting every single chant, and the band holding the stage in spectacular fashion, the show closes with a raised right fist, not just from the band but from the entire Hacienda crowd.

After such an intense opening night, it would be hard to top it, but the Invincible Fest organisers managed to craft a series of completely different scenarios, giving each day its own strong identity. The second day, Friday 15 May, was marked by pouring rain; the grim forecasts turned out to be right after all, but no matter, everything took place indoors. The stylistic focus shifted radically: room for the electronics of Natascha Polké, accompanied on stage only by her own synths, and for the widely acclaimed DJ set by the legendary Royksopp. In between, guitars made a comeback too, with Kerala Dust. The dancing then continued almost till dawn with a set from Bluemarina. Saturday leaned even further into electronic music, with a performance by Modeselektor, arguably the festival's headline name, a guarantee of quality in itself. Before them on stage came the Dutch outfit Weval, while Fenoaltea and Camoufly closed out the night behind the decks.
But that's not all: there was also a more relaxed Sunday coda, featuring Karaoke Indie, Frà Sorrentino, Il Solito Dandy and Dutch Nazari. Invincible Fest proved to be an undoubted success, one that will confirm its presence in the coming months through a series of targeted events, aiming to keep its brand present throughout the whole year.

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