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Sjock Festival is celebrating its 50th edition with a massive line-up, so an English SEO blogpost can really highlight the anniversary, the new names, and the rock ’n roll history of the event. Below is an optimized, ready-to-publish article based on your text, adapted for an international audience and SEO.
Sjock Festival 2026 celebrates 50th edition with 20 new names
Sjock Festival in Gierle (Lille, Belgium) is gearing up for its 50th anniversary edition with a fresh wave of twenty new bands added to the line-up for Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July. The latest announcement confirms a mix of legendary rock acts, cult heroes and rising talent, perfectly in line with Sjock’s reputation as rock ’n roll heaven in the heart of the Kempen.
Rock icons added to the anniversary line-up
A month ago, Sjock already impressed fans by confirming big names like Chris Isaak, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and The Raveonettes for this jubilee year. Now the rock-’n-roll, punk, garage rock and rockabilly festival on the Poeyelheide in Gierle fills the poster further with twenty new bands across the weekend.
One of the biggest eye-catchers is the American grunge rock band L7, known for tracks such as “Pretend We’re Dead”, who will set the Sjock meadow on fire on Sunday 12 July. This will be an exclusive European show by L7, making Sjock a must-visit for fans from all over the continent.
From L7 and Jon Spencer to SONS and Cock Sparrer
The new wave of names strengthens every festival day. On Saturday 11 July, American garage and blues rock legend Jon Spencer, known from the former Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, will take his place on one of the Sjock stages.
The Belgian garage rock band SONS joins the bill as one of the strongest homegrown acts of the moment, while the British Oi-punk veterans Cock Sparrer and American punk band Zeke bring raw energy and sing-along anthems to the Poeyelheide. Cock Sparrer already proved in 2024 that they can ignite the Sjock crowd, and their return in this jubileum year promises another explosive show.
International discoveries and strong local talent
Sjock also continues its tradition of mixing established names with exciting discoveries and local heroes. The French psychedelic garage-indie rock band The Limiñanas and alternative country band Vandoliers from Texas will both make their appearance in Gierle, adding a more eclectic and rootsy edge to the programme.
Local pride is represented by Provocador, bringing Gierle’s own talent to the Sjock stages in front of a hometown crowd. Another striking announcement is Sjock’s Rendez-vous Band on Sunday 12 July: a special project band with musicians from acts such as The Sore Losers, The Sha-La-Lees and Peter Pan Speedrock, who will play a set of rock songs by bands that should have played Sjock at least once.
Three days, three stages and around 50 bands
The 50th edition of Sjock Festival will ultimately host around fifty bands spread over three days. The music will thunder across three iconic stages: the Titty Twister, the Bang Bang Stage and the Main Stage, each with its own character and musical focus.
Around fifteen more acts are still to be announced, meaning the line-up is far from complete and fans can expect even more surprises in the run-up to the festival weekend. With its unique mix of punk, garage rock, rockabilly, country, surf and pure rock ’n roll, Sjock remains one of Europe’s most authentic and beloved alternative festivals.
Practical info and tickets
Sjock Festival takes place on 10, 11 and 12 July on the Poeyelheide in Gierle (Lille), Belgium. Visitors can look forward to three days of guitars, mosh pits, dancing, cheap beers and a friendly, no-nonsense atmosphere that has made Sjock a yearly pilgrimage for rock ’n roll fans.
For tickets, full line-up details, timetable updates and practical information about access, parking and facilities, visit the official website: www.sjock.com.
