WEST Wales’ Unearthed Festival has closed its 14th year with co-founder Tim Rees declaring it the strongest yet - a weekend that brought together award-winning headliners, local artists, three weddings and five generations of the same family on a single site in Pembrokeshire.

Held between June 19 and 21 on ancient Celtic land near the coast, the 2026 festival delivered what Rees describes as exceptional quality across every element of the programme: artists, workshops, comedy, theatre, music and ceremony. “It led to an awful lot of love in the fields,” he said.

A festival-goer soaks up the last of the golden hour sun with her young child as Unearthed draws to a close.
A festival-goer soaks up the last of the golden hour sun with her young child as Unearthed draws to a close. (Unearthed Festival)

The family atmosphere that has defined Unearthed since its founding has remained central to the 2026 edition. Children were a visible and celebrated presence throughout the weekend, with parents noting the rare combination of freedom and safety the site provides.

Headlining the 2026 programme were Bristol drum & bass pioneer Roni Size, Welsh rap legends Goldie Lookin Chain and London eight-piece The Herbaliser Band, sharing the main stage with a strong contingent of West Wales artists including Queen Beezie, Tomos Newman and Twpsyn.

Backed by ‘the boys’, Martletwy singer-songwriter Tomos Newman brought his mesmerising presence to the main stage, having the “best time” in the process.
Backed by ‘the boys’, Martletwy singer-songwriter Tomos Newman brought his mesmerising presence to the main stage, having the “best time” in the process. (Unearthed Festival)

Music ran across Dub Corner, Cosmic Cwtsh and the Freedom Stage from morning until late night, spanning dub, reggae, folk, techno, jungle, psychedelic sounds and spoken word.

Audience reach continued to expand in 2026, with festival-goers travelling from across the UK alongside a growing Welsh community of attendees. “We've moved beyond being just a festival,” said Rees. “It’s now a cultural movement.”

Goldie Lookin Chain entertain festival goers on the Main Stage.
Goldie Lookin Chain entertain festival goers on the Main Stage at Unearthed Festival. (Unearthed Festival)

Founded in 2012 by Tim Rees and Dan Messore, Unearthed remains independently run, community-led and deliberately intimate. It sustains a local economy in one of Wales' most rural regions through investment in West Wales traders, crew, suppliers and artists — and shows no sign of losing the character that has made it one of Wales' most loved independent festivals.

Unearthed Festival returns to Solva in 2027. For information, visit unearthedfestival.co.uk.