Get ready for an electrifying summer! The Main Square Festival has dropped its second wave of artists for 2026, adding three colossal names that promise to deliver a diverse and explosive weekend of music. Taking place in the stunning, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Citadelle d’Arras, France, the festival is scheduled for Friday, July 3rd, Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th, 2026.
The initial announcement had already established Main Square as a must-attend event for 2026, confirming three major headliners that span pop, rap, and alternative rock. Pop superstar KATY PERRY is set to kick off the weekend on Friday, French rap legend ORELSAN takes the top spot on Saturday, and global alternative heroes TWENTY ONE PILOTS will close out the festivities on Sunday. This blend of international icons and local giants perfectly sets the stage for a truly varied and unmissable three days. The addition of these new artists only cranks the excitement up to eleven!
Marshmello: The Billion-Stream EDM Phenomenon
The masked mega-star MARSHMELLO is joining the bill, injecting a huge dose of high-energy electronic music into the Main Square 2026 schedule. Known globally for his signature helmet and chart-topping collaborations with artists across pop, hip-hop, and R&B, Marshmello has become one of the most recognizable figures in modern dance music. Expect his performance to be a spectacular sensory experience, featuring huge drops, dazzling visuals, and a relentless run of his biggest hits like ‘Silence’ and ‘Happier’. His presence guarantees that the Arras festival grounds will transform into an epic dance floor.
Paul Kalkbrenner: A Techno Masterclass from Berlin
For the techno purists and those who appreciate the deeper end of the electronic spectrum, the booking of PAUL KALKBRENNER is a revelation. The iconic German producer is celebrated for his sophisticated, live electronic performances, building his hypnotic tracks layer by layer right in front of the audience. Unlike many DJs, Kalkbrenner performs a genuine live show, drawing crowds in with his signature sound that blends melodic techno with emotional, cinematic undertones. His set at the French music festival will be an essential, immersive journey for serious music lovers, providing a sharp and critically acclaimed contrast to the Main Stage pop anthems.
Charlotte Cardin: Pop Sophistication with an Edge
Rounding out this exciting announcement is the multi-talented Canadian singer-songwriter, CHARLOTTE CARDIN. With her captivating vocals, blend of sophisticated pop, jazz-influenced R&B, and powerful, confessional lyrics, Cardin has quickly become an international sensation. Her breakout success, driven by tracks like ‘Meaningless’ and ‘Passive Aggressive’, showcases an emotional depth and artistic maturity that will add an intimate and soulful layer to the Main Square Festival 2026 lineup. Her performance is set to be a stunning display of vocal talent and modern pop flair.
With a lineup now boasting the global pop power of Katy Perry, the alternative rock dynamism of Twenty One Pilots, the chart-crushing EDM of MARSHMELLO, and the sophisticated sounds of PAUL KALKBRENNER and CHARLOTTE CARDIN, Main Square Festival is set to be the diverse, viral event of the summer. Don’t miss out on what is shaping up to be one of the best European festivals of the year!
Which of these new acts are you most hyped to see at the Citadelle d’Arras? Let us know!
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