Noise Pop Adds Giraffage, cupcakKe to Its 2026 Lineup

Update, Dec. 11, 2025: Today Noise Pop announced phase two of its lineup. The list of artists performing now includes San Jose electric music producer Giraffage, Chicago-raised raunchy rapper cupcakKe, Canadian electronic musician Marie Davidson, Pennsylvania-grown experimental artist Tobacco and more.

Original story, Oct. 23, 2025:

The Noise Pop Festival, San Francisco’s annual celebration of independent music, just announced the initial lineup for its 2026 event.

Taking place from Feb. 19 through March 1 of next year, the event comes with a stacked bill — the first phase of which was announced today. Per usual, it features both veteran and up-and-coming artists, with headliners that include Chicago-based rock band Tortoise, Oakland fusion-electronic group Beats Antique, and California hip-hop group Clipping featuring Bay Area rapper/actor/producer Daveed Diggs.

But this year, there’s something new — an opportunity for more local artists to get their shine on. Noise Pop organizers are inviting Bay Area musicians to submit their work for a chance to play at a venue during the festival.

Noise Pop promoters have also teamed up with Seattle-based radio station KEXP, which expanded into the Bay Area in 2024, for a special competition in which the winning artist records a Live on KEXP performance. In addition, that musician will get the chance to rock the crowd at a live show — venue to be determined — presented by KEXP’s Bay Area program, Vinelands.

Since Noise Pop’s start in 1993 as a one-night show where a handful of groups played The Independent (known then as The Kennel Club), the festival has centered indie musicians who do it for the love of the art. While the company has grown — and so has the festival — that spirit remains.

This year, the festival includes 11 days of drum-smashing, guitar-shredding and soul-churning performances, as over 150 bands play across more than 25 venues scattered around San Francisco and the East Bay.

This year’s programming starts with Vs Self, an emo-jazz band from Southern California, who kick off festivities a few days early with a Feb. 15 show at San Francisco’s August Hall. The schedule concludes with a March 1 performance by Santa Fe guitarist and singer Esther Rose at Kilowatt Bar.

The festival’s itinerary also includes performances by Denver’s multi-instrumental alternative band DeVotchka and Napa vocalist Shannon Shaw (of Shannon & The Clams), who is set to take the stage at KQED’s headquarters on Feb. 26. More artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Noise Pop Festival takes place Feb. 19 through March 1, 2026 at selected venues in San Francisco and the East Bay. For more information click here.