Uprising X: The UK’s Hottest Underground Festival Moves to KK’s Steel Mill For 2027
Uprising is proud to announce its return for a landmark tenth edition. Welcome to Uprising X, taking place at KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, on 9–10 April 2027.
Founded in 2016 by Simon Yarwood and Matt Kirk, Uprising was born from a vision to showcase the vibrant spirit of Leicester while creating opportunities for emerging artists to perform alongside some of the biggest names in heavy and alternative music.
Matt Kirk, owner of Firebug and Duffy’s, and promoter Simon Yarwood, operating under the Resin Events banner, have built one of the UK’s most welcoming and inclusive independent festivals. With a strong focus on celebrating heavy and alternative music in all its forms, Uprising has earned a reputation for championing both established legends and the next generation of talent. Matt Kirk, one of the festivals owners states “We will continue to promote equitable lineups as a core ethos of our planning as we believe it is our duty as organisers to ensure a fair and level playing field for all.“
Over the years, the festival has welcomed genre heavyweights including Paradise Lost, Napalm Death, Katatonia, Hell, Orange Goblin, Pitchshifter and the late Phil Campbell of Motörhead fame, while also providing an important platform for rising acts such as Lowen, Underdark, Conjurer, Raised By Owls, Red Method and Scarlett Riot.
In 2026, Uprising celebrated its tenth anniversary at Leicester’s O2 Academy. However, following the announcement that the venue would be closing its doors after five years of hosting the festival, the organisers were faced with the challenge of finding a new home.
After exploring venues of a similar size and calibre, KK’s Steel Mill quickly emerged as the obvious choice. Named after Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing and situated in the heart of the Black Country, the venue has become a respected destination for heavy music events, hosting festivals and gatherings including Bloodstock’s Winter Gathering, NWOCR Fest, Mayor’s Fest and Power Metal Quest Fest.
Commenting on the future of Uprising, Simon Yarwood states
“Let’s be straight, firstly Uprising isn’t a place, we’ve had two homes already, it’s the people, like moving home you take your family with you and your friends still come and see you, and you don’t know your forever home until you’re in it. Moving to KK’s feels right, it feels like home and it feels like the family will love it, and the friends will visit as they have for the last 10 years, wherever we’ve lived.” He continues “We can’t wait to start announcing the bands, and open the doors for you in April at what is undoubtedly the best rock/metal venue in the Midlands. However Leicester, we aren’t done with you, you haven’t seen the last of Uprising!”
Limited early bird tickets will be available for just £30 from 9:00am on Friday 12 June via Gigantic. The festival’s first wave of band announcements will follow later this summer.
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