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“We’re at the beginning of a new journey now, and we’re approaching it with curiosity”: The Ocean’s Robin Staps can’t wait for Be Prog! My Friend. This is our official preview…

The German proggers and Soen top a bill alongside some of modern prog’s brightest stars. Taking place at Barcelona’s most unique venue, it’s set to be a celebration of all things of the genre we love

Modern prog is in rude health, and the 2026 edition of Barcelona’s sun-dappled knees-up, Be Prog! My Friend is, is here to prove it. In its organiser’s own words, its latest line-up is “diverse, daring and deeply emotional.” It also typifies what the festival is all about.

Prog royalty, from Steven Wilson, Jethro Tull and Steve Hackett have headlined the intimate and intruiging festival in the past. This year, the focus is on championing the next generation of acts taking the genre to bold new places.

Germany’s heavy and ambient proggers, The Ocean, and Sweden’s visceral, vintage-modern aces Soen top the bill. Below them is an eclectic array of contemporary acts that are proving, each in their own fascinating way, just how large a scope the genre has.

It takes place under the Wembley-goes-sci-fi-like arches of the quirky Poble Espanyol, an open-air architectural museum. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Fountains of Montjuïc and, in late September, the weather is still pleasingly warm – an escape from autumn as it begins to blanket Blightly.

Everything about the festival is intimate and focused, and therein lays its charm. Be Prog! does is remain focused on quality over quantity; there’s little in the way of distractions as the organisers, Madness Live, put 10 bands it thinks are worthy of your attention centre stage. Some acts will be new to many punters, and they’ll get just as much love as those they came to see. That sense of community permeates across the unusual – but wholly fitting – venue.

The first night, on Friday 25^th September, coincides with the release of The Ocean’s epic new concept album, Solaris, and it’s set to give day one an extra special sheen.

“I see like a lot of classic prog elements in Solaris,” says founding guitarist Robin Staps. “It’s got some of the proggiest tracks we’ve ever done, but at the same time, there’s a heaviness that connects with earlier Ocean albums.”

The album is intense, but in prog’s truest form, it’s meant to get mental cogs turning.

“Every great record I have discovered was initially a bit difficult for me to get into,” he continues. “But there was some black magic that kept me going back to it; that’s how I see the Ocean.”

It’s a truly immersive concept record that captures the essence of both the book and the film, and features Tangerine Dream’s Thorsten Quaeschning on modular synthesisers. It finds the group synthesising vintage prog flavours with atmospheric turns and gut-punching crescendos. But they aren’t the only band to get excited about…

Friday 25th September

After Lapse

The Madrid outfit has enough cut and thrust to get the Be Prog! 2026 party started with a bang, but beneath their muscle is a classic-leaning sound that stylishly nods to Queensrÿche and Dream Theater. It’s a sound where their technical excellence has space to shine, but without ever getting in the way of solid, hooky songwriting.

Agent Fresco

The sparkling Icelandic math rockers are the only Be Prog! alumnus reappearing in 2026. More importantly, it comes during their summer of grand returns, after a seven-year hiatus. Their Arctangent set was a triumph of emotionally vulnerable, but musically watertight contemporary prog, and they’re sure to bring tears – both happy and sad – to the eyes of many. Their music is as complex as it is charming, and they’re not to be missed.

Einar Solberg

Few vocalists in the contemporary prog scene are as enigmatic and virtuosic as Leprous’ powerhouse. Revitalised as a solo act on the orchestra-powered Vox Occulta, while there are naturally echoes of Solberg’s main outfit here, the live experience is altogether different.

He blends a traditional live rock band with cello and keys – the latter from his Leprous bandmate, Harrison White – to recreate the album’s sweeping, cinematic songcraft, while reimagining cuts from his debut solo offering, 16. It’s a very different side to the beloved musician, and is no less barnstorming.

The Dear Hunter

After sadly pulling out late on last year, Prog would like to wager on the Dear Hunter as this year’s dark horse. Why? Well, nestling on the inventive indie side of the music spectrum, Casey Crescenzo’s band are one of those bands that are impossible to pigeonhole. They’ve written a raft of concept albums based on everything from colours to post-apocalyptic dystopias; their imagination is off the scale, and they’ve enough songwriting craft and leftfield thinking within their ranks to pull off their ambitious projects time and again.

They’re a highly narrative-driven band; prepare for tales of wickedness, trickery, and majesty told to tunes from sparkling clean guitars, strings, horns, and genre-bending aplenty. It’s going to be pure cinema.

The Ocean

“This will be an experimental show for us,” says guitarist Robin Staps, with the band only two shows into bedding in their new line-up. That includes two new vocalists, Lane Shi and Enrico Tiberi.

“It’s us stepping our feet into this new water, and we’re approaching it with curiosity,” he adds. “People almost expect from us that we do something different with every record now, and with this line-up, everything feels really new, and really great. It was important for the band to have new people, approaches, and inspirations; I need that as an artist. So we’re at the beginning of a new journey now.”

Expect songs from their stunning new concept record, while their new vocalist pairing – who both also play keyboards live – gives fan favourite tracks a new lease of life.

“It’s also record release day for us,” Staps adds with a cheeky smile, “So it’s kind of an unofficial record release party as well. It’s going to be fun!”

Saturday 26th September

Separis Project

Kicking off day two, the Bareclonanians stand out for their deft balance of minimalism and minimalism. This is a band that, with gentle acoustic passages and classical-styled refrains, can be whisper quiet. In the same song, Kristina Vega’s expansive vocals can send it soaring, while a barrage of ultra-complex heaviness acts as an indelible punctuation mark. Life is about balance, and Separis Project have theirs nailed.

Iotunn

The Danish/Faroese band has thrown the kitchen sink at their 2024 album, Kinship, and they’ve rightly been hailed for it. Lyrically, it follows a prehistoric tribesman’s life and afterlife, while exploring everything from nature to individuality and the interconnectedness of everything. Musically, it’s a brooding storm of space rock, melodeath and power metal, with their palette kept broad in the name of storytelling. They’re a fine pick.

Rendezvous Point

The second Leprous offshoot of the weekend, Rendezvous Point most notably features the impossibly talented drummer, Baard Kolstad. The shared musical DNA is clear, but the band also has a more Muse-tinted alt-rock edge, and some truly phenomenal vocals.

But don’t take our word for it – speaking to Prog in 2024, keyboardist Nicolay Tangen Svennæs described their sound as “melodic prog rock with some fast guitars and odd time signatures,” while explaining how they enjoy the freedom “to break the limits of the genre.” Expect plenty of plot twists.

Green Carnation

The Norwegian troupe are currently promoting the final part of a three-album trilogy exploring abusive childhoods and loved ones in crisis. Yet, as harrowing as it sounds, the way they balance their foreboding goth and doom metal influences with ethereal, folky turns makes the A Dark Poem saga special.

They make the marriage of their genres feel natural, and have found themselves at the forefront of modern prog by moving with the times without forgetting the majesty of the classics. Don’t be surprised to see them headlining in future editions. For now, bask in their harmonious darkness… likely in gorgeous, juxtaposing weather.

Soen

The Swedes have long since unshackled themselves from their supergroup tag to become a fine vintage-modern prog in their own unequivocal right. They’re equally as inspired by Judas Priest, Pink Floyd and Yes as they are Tool, djent, and maybe even a dash of Sleep Token on their fierce and finessed new album, Reliance.

Most importantly, they’re a towering presence on stage, and have a near-faultless back catalogue to pull from. Between Joel Ekelöf’s incredibly emotive voice and probing lyrics, tackling everything from personal grief to rallying against corrupt authorities, and former Opeth drummer Martín López’s uncompromising yet always accessible approach to rhythm, the band have something very unique. Under the cover of darkness, the Be Prog! stage is the perfect place for them to shine.

KEY INFO

The venue is now located in the far corner of Poble Espanyol, occupying a quant and well-signposted 1,000 capacity spot. The line-up features five bands per day, with one stage, meaning there are no clashes and running about between tents.

Doors open at 3pm each day, and the first band due to start at 4.00pm. The headline shows will conclude by midnight.

LINE-UP FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER (Doors at 3pm) After Lapse, Agent Fresco, Einar Solberg, The Dear Hunter, The Ocean

LINE-UP SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER (Doors at 3pm) Separis Project, Iotunn, Rendezvous Project, Green Carnatrion, Soen

LOCATION: The festival takes place at Poble Espanyol, Av Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13, 08038, Barcelona, Spain. It’s a 30 minute walk from the characterful Las Ramblas street and is easily accessible via public transport.

TRAVEL: Barcelona is 7.5 miles away. Public transport is recommended to reach the festival site. The closest metro station is Espanya, a 10 minute walk from the venue. The nearest bus stop is called Poble. There is also ample private parking.

DISABLED ACCESS: There’s a disabled viewing area at the event.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: With the festival site opening at 3pm each day, there’s time to explore the city beforehand. Food and drinks can be purchased within the venue too, with a wide range catering for all diets.

ACCOMMODATION: Please note that Be Prog! is not a camping festival. Instead, try local hotels or Airbnb for a place to rest your music filled head.

ABOUT THE LOCATION: Built in 1929, Poble Espanyol is designed to look like a historic Spanish village, with replicas of buildings from different regions. Its village plays host to craft workshops, bars and restaurants. Please note: Museu Fran Daurel art gallery will be closed during the Be Prog! Festival.

DON’T FORGET TO PACK: Sun cream, sunglasses, water and ear protectors. There’s also be a merch stand for, so don’t forget to bring a few extra Euros to show your support to the bands performing.

Disclaimer: All details are correct at time of press. Visit the Be Prog! website for the latest info.

Be Prog! My Friend

If you love heavy metal, you love Judas Priest. The Birmingham five-piece haven’t just been defending the faith since 1974; they also defined its aesthetic with their leather-and-motorbikes look and have put out some of its most enduring singles, including Breaking The Law, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ and Electric Eye. Without their unabashed flamboyance and wailing guitars, entire subgenres may never have taken shape.

Although the band’s origins date back to the late 1960s, they didn’t truly take shape until the early 70s, when powerhouse frontman Rob Halford entered the fray and K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton formed a pioneering guitar tandem. Their second and third albums, Sad Wings Of Destiny and Sin After Sin, started their climb to heavy music heroism; it continued through 1978’s back-to-back Stained Class and Killing Machine, the latter of which went Platinum in the US. They headlined in America for the first time the following year, cementing them as just as beloved Stateside as they were in their home country.

After continued success through the early-to-mid 80s, their status stumbled with the controversial Turbo and Ram It Down records. Painkiller was one last blast of authentic heavy metal thunder, but a potential comeback was scuppered when Halford quit in 1993. Priest persevered with Tim “Ripper” Owens at the mic, but it wasn’t the same, and the classic singer returned in 2003.

Since then, Priest’s career hasn’t been wobble-free: Downing departed before a planned farewell tour in 2010, after which the rest of the lineup abruptly decided against retirement. Plus, Tipton stepped away from the live lineup in 2018, following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. But, through such albums as Firepower and Invincible Shield, they’ve remained the last word in unabashed, old-school vigour. Following the release of their career retrospective The Best Of Judas Priest, here are their 19 records ranked from worst to best:

19. Demolition (2001)

A noble but flawed attempt to be all things to all metalheads, Demolition is no one’s favourite Judas Priest album. A halfway house between the band’s classic sound and the hybrid futurism of the ‘90s, it lacks any truly great songs and, despite Tim Owens’ stunning vocal performance, served largely as confirmation that a reunion with Rob Halford was the only credible way forward.

18. Rocka Rolla (1974)

Judas Priest’s debut album was more about hinting at their potential than clicking into the higher gear that the band would later use to conquer the world. Rocka Rolla is enjoyable enough, with its faint whiff of progressive hard rock and its warm, analogue tones, but it’s a patchy affair and never comes close to the grandeur and grit of the classics.

17. Ram It Down (1988)

Returning to their traditional sound after the electronic detours of Turbo, Judas Priest stuck to the basics on their 11th studio album. Unfortunately, with the exception of the title track and Blood Red Skies, Ram It Down is a largely forgettable collection of box-ticking stompers with a perfunctory version of Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode thrown in for no apparent reason.

16. Nostradamus (2008)

Judas Priest split opinion with this sumptuous conceptual effort, partly because it saw the band veer into symphonic metal territory, replete with choirs and oceans of keyboards. For all its self-conscious bluster, Nostradamus does contain some killer tunes, however. Prophecy, the title track and Pestilence And Plague are all great, but the Priest boys couldn’t quite sustain that quality for the album’s daunting 102 minutes.

15. Jugulator (1997)

Rather than attempt to cajole cynical fans into embracing the start of the Tim Owens era by playing it safe, Jugulator declared that post-Halford Priest were in an unforgiving and furious mood. A vicious modern metal album that owed as much to Pantera and Slayer as it did to the trad metal world, it failed to set the world on fire but thoroughly deserves to be reassessed now. If nothing else, the closing Cathedral Spires is an outright classic in Judas Priest’s canon.

14. Redeemer Of Souls (2014)

Not quite the sizzling return to form that many proclaimed it to be, Redeemer Of Souls is simply a really good Judas Priest album. New guitarist Richie Faulkner acquits himself brilliantly throughout, the sound falls neatly between Painkiller and Angel Of Retribution and, on the stunning Crossfire, Priest prove that they are masters of metal and the blues.

13. Point Of Entry (1981)

Following the globe-conquering British Steel was never going to be easy, and while Point Of Entry features a brace of platinum-plated Priest gems (Heading Out To The Highway and Desert Plains, since you ask), and both Solar Angels and Hot Rockin’ have been welcome additions to live shows, it never quite hits the heights of its triumphant predecessor.

12. Turbo (1986)

Much-maligned at the time thanks to Judas Priest’s decision to embrace the (then) mildly futuristic sounds of the synthesiser, Turbo is far, far better than you may have heard. The first four tracks offer an unstoppable barrage of driving riffs and thunderous beats and – despite a mild mid-album slump – the overall quality of the songs makes a mockery of the notion that an aesthetic side-step had diluted the band’s metal spirit.

11. Angel Of Retribution (2005)

After the much-anticipated return of Rob Halford to the fold, the Brummie legends must have known instinctively that their next album had to be a cracker. And so it proved, with a batch of songs that skilfully updated the band’s classic sound while also remembering to keep the heavy metal flag flying high. Judas Rising is a superb opener, Angel is one of Priest’s finest ever ballads and yes, preposterous 13-minute denouement Loch Ness fucking rules. Yes, it does.

10. Sin After Sin (1977)

Routinely overshadowed by the previous year’s Sad Wings Of Destiny, Sin After Sin was a transitional record that saw Judas Priest inch away from their moderately progressive roots and focus on the unbridled metal glory to come. Obvious highlights like Starbreaker and Dissident Aggressor (which was, of course, memorably covered by Slayer on South Of Heaven) are up there with the band’s best tunes.

9. Invincible Shield (2024)

Priest’s latter-career gold streak continued spectacularly with Invincible Shield, boasting another incredible production job from producer and live guitarist Andy Sneap. The likes of Panic Attack, The Serpent And The King, Sons Of Thunder and the title track are classic Priest rippers. Also, final number Giants In The Sky serves as a stirring tribute to the band’s fellow metal icons who are no longer with us.

8. Killing Machine (1978)

Arguably the album that first showcased the classic Judas Priest sound, Killing Machine is rammed to the gills with bona fide anthems: Hell Bent For Leather, Running Wild, Rock Forever, Delivering The Goods, The Green Manalishi… they’re all here and they all kick a vast amount of arse. Even the elegant ballad Before The Dawn crackles with electrified confidence. A game-changing ripsnorter, basically.

7. Defenders Of The Faith (1984)

Judas Priest’s second creative peak arrived in the mid ’80s, and Defenders Of The Faith was the result. Although lacking the chart hits of Screaming For Vengeance from two years earlier, there is real substance and power to the likes of Freewheel Burning and The Sentinel and an endearing frisson of censor-baiting sexuality to the menacing Eat Me Alive. All killer, no filler.

6. Firepower (2018)

2018 was a year of upheaval for Judas Priest, long-time guitarist Glenn Tipton officially stepping away from tour duties as a result of his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Tipton still put his magic touch to that year’s Firepower album however, while tour guitarist Andy Sneap took up production duties alongside Ram It Down producer Tom Allom. The result was among the fieriest Priest albums in years, hitting the ground running with the title track and not letting up for a moment from there on in, affirming that even as they approached half-a-century they were still heavy metal’s most ardent defenders.

5. British Steel (1980)

Many fans would doubtless put this album at the top of their own ‘best of’ Judas Priest lists, and there’s no questioning British Steel’s brilliance, or its huge influence on the entire world of metal. You simply can’t argue with Breaking The Law, Metal Gods or Rapid Fire and Living After Midnight is one of the ultimate party metal anthems. The rest is nearly as good, and that’s pretty fucking good by anyone’s standards.

4. Painkiller (1990)

The end of Rob Halford’s first period as Judas Priest frontman arrived shortly after the release of one of their greatest albums. Painkiller rips from start to finish and single-handedly redefined the sound of traditional heavy metal in the process. There are literally hundreds of bands out there peddling this exact same sound, but no one will ever top the original. And that title track… holy fucking shit.

3. Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)

Black Sabbath may have inadvertently invented heavy metal, but Judas Priest defined it with their second album. Grandiloquent, adventurous and epic as all hell, Sad Wings… kicks off with Victim Of Changes – one of the greatest metal songs ever written, let’s face it – and then sustains its air of supreme confidence and power for the duration. All metalheads need this album in their lives.

2. Stained Class (1978)

As the 70s drew to a close, Judas Priest were hitting their stride in no uncertain terms. Their fourth album exudes a ferocious energy, as songs like Exciter, Invader and the towering morbidity of Beyond The Realms Of Death upgraded the ‘70s hard rock template for a new decade. Even a cover of psychedelic rock mob Spooky Tooth’s Better By You, Better Than Me slayed and flayed like a maniac. A true metal milestone.

1. Screaming For Vengeance (1982)

Judas Priest’s biggest breakthrough, particularly in the US, came with this immaculate slab of none-more-metal bravado. Screaming For Vengeance is an imperious display of heavy metal in its purest, most exhilarating form: from the ageless rush of Electric Eye and the world-dominating thud of You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ through to the neck-wrenching attack of the title track and the fiery crunch of Devil’s Child, it’s a flawless encapsulation of everything that made metal such a global force during the ‘80s. And (almost) 40 years on, it’s still exerting its influence over countless aspiring metal musicians around the globe. A steely masterpiece with a giant heart.

Judas Priest’s new compilation album, The Best Of Judas Priest, is out now via Sony. The band play London’s Eventim Apollo tonight (September 21).