Phil Campbell's Bastard Sons will headline the 2026 Hella Rock Festival on September 5 at HMV Empire in Coventry, United Kingdom, in a heartfelt tribute to their late father, legendary MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell, who passed away in March 2026.
Phil Campbell had been originally booked to headline the festival with his full band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. Following his passing, his sons — Dane, Todd, and Tyla Campbell — announced they would still perform, turning what was meant to be a triumphant live show into a celebration of their father's extraordinary legacy.
Campbell senior was a defining force in MOTÖRHEAD, serving as the band's guitarist from 1984 until the group disbanded following Lemmy Kilmister's death in December 2015. Over more than three decades, he appeared on legendary albums including 'Orgasmatron', '1916', and 'Bastards', cementing his place as one of heavy metal's most beloved and recognizable players.
Festival director James Pilling spoke of the significance of the event: "We knew straight away this year had to mean more. Losing Phil Campbell hit the whole rock community hard." The venue will display Phil's iconic guitar rig and tour backdrops from throughout his career, while a memorial book will be available for fans to leave messages and personal stories.
Other acts on the bill include Tailgunner, King Kraken, Silveroller, Hell's Addiction, Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters, Suns of Rest, and Wälker. The festival has also introduced a new Road Crew Stage for acoustic performances, and partnered with Road Crew beer for the occasion.