Jessie J and John Legend headline Singer 2026 in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has a big weekend coming up at the end of August, and it's one that's been tied into the city's wider celebrations this year. The Singer 2026 festival is landing at the Portsmouth Guildhall from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 August, and the headline names alone are enough to make it worth the trip down: Jessie J and John Legend are both on the bill.

For the headline acts, the festival has pulled in some serious weight. Jessie J, born Jessica Ellen Cornish in Chadwell Heath, London, in 1988, is a British singer and songwriter who has built a huge international career, and she's set to bring her powerhouse vocals to the Guildhall stage. Alongside her is John Legend, the American singer, songwriter, pianist, producer and actor born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1978, best known for his piano-led ballads and a long career that stretches across music and screen. Between the two of them, you've got a pair of world-class voices sharing one bill, which is a rare pairing for a festival of this size.

But the headline names aren't the whole story. The festival is leaning hard into new talent as well, giving a platform to artists who are making their mark. Stanaj, an American artist, is set to make his debut with the single 'Romantic', while Azora Chin, a Malaysian artist, brings a trio of tracks — 'March', 'As a Monster' and 'Grandma's Words'. Rounding out the billed names is Elliot James Reay, a British singer who is making his debut in China with 'Skyfall', which gives the lineup a real international flavour.

What's perhaps most surprising is the scale of the rest of the bill. Beyond those names, the festival is adding over 200 acts to the lineup, so there's far more going on than the headline names suggest. It's being pitched as one of the most picturesque seaside festivals in the UK, with a heavyweight lineup and a family-friendly experience, which is a nice combination if you're bringing the whole household along rather than just a couple of music fans.

If you're planning to go with the family, there's a bit of a saving to be had. Family Summer Savings tickets are on sale, and they knock 12.5% off all family tickets, which is a handy discount when you're booking for a group. With the festival running over three days, it's the kind of event you can spread across a long weekend rather than cramming it all into one night.

And because a lineup this big can be a bit of a maze, there's a practical tool to help you navigate it. A new, fully updated Victorious 2026 app is available, and it carries the live lineup times, so you can keep track of who's playing when and make sure you don't miss the acts you've come to see. Between the headliners, the new talent, the family discount and the app to keep it all organised, it's shaping up to be one of the bigger summer music events the city puts on.

So, if you're after a weekend of live music by the sea, the Singer 2026 festival at the Portsmouth Guildhall is the one to have on your radar for the end of August. With Jessie J and John Legend at the top of the bill and a huge supporting cast underneath them, it's a strong case for a summer night out.