Bulletproof is new multi-venue music and arts festival founded by the Peace & Justice Project as part of its Music For The Many campaign to protect Britain’s independent music venues and serves as a grassroots campaign response to the corporate takeover of festivals, cultural events and the arts. This brand new event is also a direct response to the disturbing censorship of artists speaking out against atrocities, such as the genocides in Gaza and Sudan, as well as the soaring ticket prices squeezing fans out of being able to access and experience live music.
Maruja have been announced as the headliner for the event’s first day, with Irish punks SPRINTS, and Pussy Riot: Riot Days respectively topping the bill over the following two days.They are joined by CQ Wrestling, SNAYX, Soapbox, CLT DRP, Alien Chicks, Yakkie, Jools, Dead Air, Ellis-D and many more across multiple venues during the three day event between 4 – 6 June 2026.
The festival, which has been launched by Peace & Justice Project’s Music For The Many campaign, will highlight the invaluable role grassroots music venues play in our communities and ensure live music accessibility for all. Bulletproof Festival will utilise a range of grassroots music venues in East London, such as The Shacklewell Arms, The Victoria and The Jago as stages across the three days, whilst EartH serves as Main Stage across all three days. In addition, the festival will also raise vital funds for aid in Gaza following the years of Israeli bombardment that has been described as a genocide by numerous scholars and humanitarian organisations.
Following years of hard work and intense touring, September 2025 saw the release of Maruja’s debut album Pain To Power, which received critical acclaim and was described by Kerrang! as “one of the year’s most important records” in their 5/5 review. The band’s stratospheric rise and colossal sound cements their place as one of the hottest acts of 2026, with Bulletproof just one of their many festival appearances around the world in the coming months that will certainly showcase their status as one of Britain’s most exhilarating live bands.
SPRINTS’ second album All That Is Over, also released in September 2025, solidified the band’s reputation as one Europe’s most exciting punk bands. The album, described by Dork as having “the sound of a group with something urgent to say, and the chops to say it louder, weirder and smarter than anyone else”. Their set at Bulletproof Festival promises to bring politically-charged energy and emotion to East London this June.
From the brilliant mind of Masha Alyokhina, and serving as the festival’s finale, Pussy Riot: Riot Days, appears at Bulletproof as a UK festival exclusive for 2026. The production is best described as a powerful fusion of theatre, live music and literature. It is deeply moving, politically resonant, and educational. The performance will explore urgent themes including the death of Alexei Navalny, LGBTQ+ resistance, and the ongoing struggle for human rights in Russia and beyond.
Wider programme, including speakers, panel discussions and live podcast recordings, will be announced in the build-up to the festival.
Tickets are on sale now from thefutureisbulletproof.com.
Launching the Bulletproof Festival line-up, its organiser Samuel Sweek said:
“The very creation of Bulletproof Festival is in itself a challenge to the status quo. We are showing that communities hold the key to keeping British music alive. Our movement has moved the debate on the ticket levy to save grassroots music venues, which is something we consider critical to keeping the heart of British live music beating. These were phenomenal and unprecedented victories, but there is more to do, and there must always be more to do.
Bulletproof Festival is just the beginning and will serve as the prototype for a new era for the live music scene, as well as touring, nurturing the creativity of up-and-coming talent, and ensuring live music is affordable and accessible for all. This is a revolution and we are proud to be the insurgents.”
Peace & Justice Project founder Jeremy Corbyn said:
“We are proud to finally launch the Bulletproof line-up – this is the result of over a year of planning, discussions, research and hard work. We are delighted that Maruja, SPRINTS and Pussy Riot: Riot Days have agreed to join the inaugural Bulletproof line-up. Each act has a proven track record in speaking out against oppression, toured the world and grown their support in every continent. It is beyond commendable that, at great cost, these artists have never strayed from the path of fighting tyranny and standing up for what is right.
Bulletproof Festival is about celebrating the spirit of resistance that ended apartheid in South Africa, soundtracked the fightback against fascism in the UK, and continues to highlight the genocides in Gaza, Sudan and other places.”
For more information on Bulletproof Festival please check their website and instagram.