Dirtybird Campout and Northern Nights Music Festival – two of Northern California’s most celebrated independent festivals – today unveil the phase one lineup for their highly anticipated 2026 return. Taking place July 17th – 19th at Cook’s Valley Campground along the Humboldt/Mendocino County line, the festival will once again transform the towering Redwoods and Eel River into an intimate, fully immersive playground for music, art, nature, and community.
Returning after a sold-out 2025 debut collaboration, Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights’ partnership continues to evolve with a sharpened focus on independence, curation, and connection. This year’s Phase One lineup – featuring over 40 artists, with a second wave still to come – reflects the shared philosophy that has long defined both brands: identifying artists on the rise and championing talent just before they break onto larger stages. It’s a music-first approach that prioritises discovery over dominance, bringing together an eclectic and carefully curated mix of emerging voices, returning favourites, and forward-thinking acts not constantly seen on the wider festival circuit.
Leading the 2026 Phase One announcement is internationally acclaimed French artist and fan favorite Northern Nights alumni CLOZEE, who will also headline a special Road to Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights show at the Napa Valley Ruins on 5/30, alongside in-demand fan favorite TAPE B, who channels the nostalgic sound of old-school dubstep through a contemporary bass and hip-hop lens. They’re joined by JUSTIN MARTIN, a pioneering figure of the Dirtybird sound revered for his playful and innovative approach to house music, as well as FEMME HOUSE founder LP GIOBBI, a dynamic force in piano-driven electronic performance and dance music inclusivity.
Genre fluidity remains a defining thread throughout Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights’ musical programming. From the commanding presence of UK grime icon Flowdan to the experimental textures of DIMOND SAINTS, the euphoric soundscapes of DANIEL ALLAN, the global house rhythms of Brazil’s BRUNO FURLAN and DJ GLEN, and the timeless grooves of TODD EDWARDS, the lineup reflects a thoughtfully curated blend of sounds built for discovery.
Live and hybrid performances further expand the festival’s sonic palette, from GOLDFISH’S electronic-meets-jazz instrumentation and High Step Society’s brass-fueled dance energy to the soul-driven vocals of KALEENA ZANDERS, the psychedelic funk textures of Shaded (Live), and the groove-rich stylings of LIFE ON PLANETS.
Dirtybird Campout devotees will flock to a standout roster of label affiliates and longtime favorites. This includes the irreverent, groove-heavy sounds of SACHA ROBOTTI, fresh off the release of his debut album I, ROBOTTI, house and techno mainstay WILL CLARKE, Chicago stalwart Gene Farris, boundary-pushing selector MZ WORTHY, and UK bass innovators IVY LAB, who bring their farewell tour to the Redwoods. Returning Dirtybird favorites including CHRISTIAN MARTIN, BORN DIRTY and J.PHLIP further anchor a deep and well-rounded bill.
True to the ethos of both brands, the Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights lineup leans into rising and next-wave talent – artists shaping what’s next in dance music. Breakout names like Bristol linchpin SAM BINGA, bass innovator NITEPUNK, alternative electronic act MINDCHATTER (DJ Set), and fast riser DJ SUSAN reflect this forward-looking approach. Elsewhere, artists including PORT LONDON, KNOW GOOD, ERO808 and underscore the festival’s continued investment in emerging voices.
Nestled in the heart of the Emerald Triangle, Cook’s Valley Campground sets the stage with towering Redwoods, riverfront hideaways, and Northern California’s rugged natural beauty, all just 190 miles north of San Francisco. Across the grounds, programming spills out over multiple stages – including the Main Stage, River Stage, Bird Bath Stage, Grove Stage, and late-night Bunker – each carving out its own sonic universe, from sun-drenched grooves along the river to after-hours sessions that stretch deep into sunrise beneath the trees.
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