There are 30 acts lining up to play across six stages at Hellfest on Thursday, June 18—the opening day of the 2026 edition of the legendary metal festival. So who should you catch on Thursday? Alice Cooper, Social Distortion, Igorrr... Here are five bands and artists not to miss on June 18, 2026 in Clisson for the new 19th edition of Hellfest.
Mikkey Dee, the indispensable Motörhead drummer for more than 22 years, who joined Scorpions in 2016, will lay down his sticks this summer in Clisson. For his set on Mainstage 2, the Swedish drummer has cooked up a simple concept: to hit the stage flanked by his friends and celebrate the legacy of Lemmy Kilmister's band by delivering a run of classics that should have festival‑goers headbanging!
If you’re a die-hard In Flames fan, you’ll surely know The Halo Effect. And for good reason: this Swedish melodic metal outfit is driven by five former In Flames members. The result? The merry crew has, to date, two albums under their belt, including "March of the Unheard," the latest, released in 2025. With them, it’s certain to be a hot night on June 18 under the Altar Stage tent!
Is it really necessary to introduce Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier? A pioneer of shock rock, the tireless icon keeps gracing stages around the globe more than 55 years after his debut. On June 18, for Hellfest's opening night, Cooper is set to deliver a thunderous show, powered by blistering energy, timeless anthems, and a meticulously crafted stage aesthetic that blends sinister creatures with a guillotine.
Four years after his Hellfest set, Igorrr returns to Clisson. Since 2022, French producer Gautier Serre’s musical project has kept moving forward, releasing a new album titled "Amen" and lining up shows across France and across Europe. Igorrr also recently announced the arrival of singer Marie Gerhardine Iguchi, replacing Marthe Alexandre. Those who’ve already attended an Igorrr show know the intensity of every performance. In short, on June 18th, get ready for a boundary‑pusting concert that fuses electro, metal, baroque, and world music.
On the road since 1978, Social Distortion hasn't lost any of its fire or fury. The American outfit will prove it on June 18 when they take the Warzone stage. Hailing from California, Social Distortion blends country, punk and rock 'n' roll into a tight, signature mix. Still led by singer-guitarist Mike Ness, the band is expected to treat festivalgoers to a few crowd-pleasing pogo moments for Hellfest’s opening night of 2026.
Obviously, this lineup isn’t exhaustive, and plenty more bands and artists are not to be missed on June 18, 2026 at Hellfest. And you, what acts do you plan to catch on Thursday in Clisson?
Hellfest 2026: full lineup and concert times
Hellfest confirms its return with four extra days of extreme-music clashes. Mark your calendars: Hellfest will run from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. What’s in store for this edition? A hefty slate of talented French- and international-language acts, including Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Limp Bizkit, The Offspring, Deep Purple, Volbeat, Megadeth, Papa Roach, Bad Omens, Mastodon and Behemoth... Here is the complete day-by-day, stage-by-stage lineup for Hellfest 2026, along with the concert times. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
On June 18, 2026
Location
Hellfest website
Rue du Champ Louet
44190 Clisson
Official website
www.hellfest.fr
Hellfest 2026: full lineup and concert times
