Pride Cymru 2026 Announce Headline acts

Multi-platinum pop star MIKA will kick off Cardiff’s Pride celebrations next summer with a huge headline show at the city’s historic castle.

The BRIT Award and Ivor Novello winner will light up the capital on Friday June 12 bringing his signature flair to TK Maxx presents DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle. 

He’ll be joined on the night by chart-topping indie-pop favourites The Feeling and acclaimed homegrown talent Gwenno.

Presale tickets are available at 10am Thursday via depotlive.co.uk/mika and all tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday via depotlive.co.uk and ticketmaster.co.uk  

The headline show is presented by Pride Cymru in collaboration with promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

Throughout his career MIKA has crafted a world of gritty romance and technicoloured alternative pop, earning comparisons to legends such as Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Prince. He burst onto the scene in 2007 with the defining single Grace Kelly, which sold more than 3 million copies worldwide and became only the second British single ever to top the chart based on download sales alone.

With more than 10 million albums sold and Gold and Platinum awards in 32 countries, MIKA is no stranger to the global stage. His catalogue of genre-defying hits — including Lollipop, Happy Ending, Relax Take It Easy, Love Today, Celebrate(feat. Pharrell Williams), and Popular Song (with Ariana Grande) — has earned him billions of streams and fans worldwide.

Renowned for his theatrical style and kaleidoscopic sound, MIKA has been nominated for and won armfuls of awards including BRITs, GRAMMYs, Ivor Novellos, MTV Awards and more. His headline show at Cardiff Castle promises to be a night of bold pop brilliance, kicking off Pride weekend in unforgettable style.

Joining MIKA on the night will be indie-pop favourites The Feeling. Known for their infectious energy and singalong hits including Fill My Little World, Love It When You Call, and Never Be Lonely, the band have carved out a reputation for soaring harmonies and crowd-pleasing choruses. 

With an Ivor Novello Award for Songwriters of the Year and a string of Top 10 singles and albums under their belt, The Feeling promise a joyful, nostalgia-tinged set that’s sure to get the castle dancing.

Opening the night will be Cardiff’s very own Gwenno, a Mercury Prize-nominated artist celebrated for her shimmering synth-pop and bold use of Welsh and Cornish language. Her genre-blending sound and poetic edge make her one of the UK’s most distinctive voices.

MIKA joins Two Door Cinema Club, Billy Ocean, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, Ethel Cain, David Gray and the Blackbird Festival, featuring Alter Bridge, Skindred, Florence Black, Cardinal Black and more among the headline announcements for TK Maxx presents DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle 2026 which is presented by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

DEPOT Live founder Nick Saunders said: “We’re thrilled to welcome MIKA to Cardiff Castle. His live shows are always bursting with energy and celebration and bringing that spirit to Cardiff is going to be something truly special. 

“We’re proud to be teaming up with Pride Cymru to deliver a night that celebrates love, music and unity in the heart of the city.” 

Dan Walsh, Chair of Pride Cymru said: “DEPOT Live has been an integral part of a determined effort to make Cardiff one of the UK’s greatest music cities and we’re delighted to be joining forces to bring MIKA to Cardiff.

“MIKA is a world renowned artist and entertainer who we are so excited to have kick off Pride Cymru’s annual celebrations in 2026″.