Excelsior Rock Festival

The Molotovs are the new shockwave coming out of England. Led by sibling duo Matty and Issey Cartlidge, the London band blends punk, rock’n’roll, mod, and britpop with an energy reminiscent of The Jam. Having already shared stages with Blondie, Iggy Pop, and The Libertines, they confirm their potential with Wasted On Youth (2026): raw energy, razor-sharp riffs, and hooks built for the stage.

The Kids are much more than just a band: they are Belgium’s national punk band. Formed in Antwerp in 1976, they were pioneers of punk in Belgium. Their songs have become intergenerational anthems like There Will Be No Next Time, Fascist Cops, and This Is Rock ’n’ Roll. The band also broke into the United States, cementing their cult status internationally.

Originally from Barcelona but driven by a French-language voice, Les Rencards are making their mark on the contemporary garage rock scene. Led by Merli Marlowe, the band fuses ’60s yé-yé with punk. Signed to Groovie Records, they stand out with Les Rencards (2022) and Angles Morts (2025). Fuzz guitars, straight-ahead energy, and French lyrics about seduction and urban life.

Muck and the Mires are the ultimate garage rock band for fans of ’60s sounds supercharged with punk. Hailing from Boston, the group was crowned Best Garage Band in the USA by Little Steven Van Zandt. Their sound blends Beatles ’64 with Ramones-style energy, delivering short, punchy songs and high-octane live shows.

Formed in London in 2010, MFC Chicken is a garage rock and rhythm & blues band driven by saxophone. Led by Spencer Evoy, they revive the wild sound of the ’60s with humor and energy. Their “Vegas Grind” style mixes Sonics, surf rock, and R&B into a frantic, party-ready sound built for the stage.

Johnny Notebook is a German synthpunk duo from Düsseldorf. Made up of Daniel and Kika, they deliver a minimalist sound somewhere between punk and ’80s new wave, reminiscent of Devo. Their short, punchy tracks combine drum machines with retro-futuristic synths.

Rumble Pit is a Brussels-based punk band formed in 2015, influenced by 1977-era punk. A cornerstone of the Excelsior Jette scene, they notably performed at the release of the book Bloody Belgium, which brought together icons of Belgian punk.