We are beyond stoked to share the first names for Sonic Whip 2026! Check out the line-up below. We couldn’t have wished for a better start and there is still more to come. Expect two days full of roaring guitars with steaming bass lines, pounding drums and other sonical, psychedelic excesses.
A limited amount of early bird weekendtickets is available now! Get yours while they last.
Line-up
Russian Circles from Chicago stands as a cornerstone in the instrumental post-metal scene, renowned for their masterful fusion of crushing heaviness and hauntingly beautiful atmospherics. The band’s lineup, guitarist Mike Sullivan, bassist Brian Cook, and drummer Dave Turncrantz, crafts music that transcends traditional metal boundaries, weaving complex rhythms, swirling melodies, and immersive textures into cinematic soundscapes. Their albums, including the critically lauded ‘Gnosis’, reveal a band unafraid to explore emotional depths and sonic extremes, blending moments of explosive intensity with passages of subtle introspection. Russian Circles’ live performances are wellkonown for their raw and powerful, showcasing their precision and passion.
King Buffalo is a powerful heavy psychedelic rock trio from Rochester, New York, known for blending driving riffs, expansive atmospheres, and a thick groove that recalls the spirit of ’70s heavy rock while pushing into progressive and modern territory. Formed in 2013 by vocalist/guitarist Sean McVay, bassist Dan Reynolds, and drummer Scott Donaldson, the band has built a reputation through intense live shows and a prolific discography that includes several full-length albums and EPs. Their recent work, including the pandemic trilogy ‘The Burden of Restlessness’, ‘Acheron’, and ‘Regenerator’, explores deep thematic narratives of despair and redemption, all wrapped in sonic journeys of heavy psych and space rock. King Buffalo’s music captivates listeners with its expansive soundscapes, emotional depth, and relentless energy, making them a standout act in the modern psychedelic underground rock scene. A true force tob e reckoned with.
The Sword is a cornerstone of American stoner rock hailing from Austin, Texas, where they formed in 2003. Their sound merges dense, fuzz-laden riffs and hypnotic grooves with heavy metal’s doom-laden intensity, creating expansive sonic landscapes that immerse listeners in a psychedelic experience. Albums like ‘Age of Winters’ and ‘Warp Riders’ showcase the band’s flair for weaving cosmic and mythological themes through thick, swirling guitars and propulsive rhythms. With a deep respect for classic stoner rock traditions and a progressive edge, The Sword crafts music that is both heavy and atmospheric, delivering intense live performances which transport you into realms of hypnotic, psychedelic riffing and storytelling.
Pelican is a pioneering instrumental post-metal band from Chicago, Illinois. Known for their dense, atmospheric soundscapes, Pelican masterfully blends elements of post-rock, stoner rock, and doom metal into extended compositions that are both powerful and evocative. Their music is characterized by intricate melodies, heavy riffs, and dynamic shifts that take listeners on immersive journeys without the use of vocals. With a rich catalog including albums like ‘City of Echoes’ and ‘Nighttime Stories’, Pelican stands out as a cornerstone of the post-metal scene, delivering powerful, thoughtful, and expansive and sonical music that resonates deeply with fans of heavy, atmospheric instrumental rock with a psychedelic touch.
Smote is the creative project of multi-instrumentalist Daniel Foggin from Newcastle, UK, known for crafting expansive, atmospheric compositions that blend drone, noise, doom, and folk elements into a dark and immersive sonic experience. Since its inception in 2020, Smote has been praised for creating majestic soundscapes that evoke ancient folklore and ritualistic energy, with a powerful emotional depth and a unique blend of heaviness and subtle grace. Their latest album, ‘A Grand Stream’, embodies this philosophy, delivering a raw yet sophisticated journey through massive layers of sound that demand patient, attentive listening. Smote’s music transcends typical genre boundaries, offering a hypnotic, elemental force that stands out in the modern experimental rock scene.
Dope Purple is a compelling psychedelic noise rock band from Taipei, Taiwan, formed in 2016. Known for their powerful blend of hard rock, fuzz-drenched guitars, dark synths, and heavy feedback, they carve a distinctive space in the psychedelic and noise rock scenes. Their sound fuses Western hard rock with the vibrant underground noise-psych influences of Japan and Taiwan, often delivering intense, ritualistic live performances. Albums like ‘Grateful End’ and ‘Children in the Darknes’s showcase their improvised yet structured chaos, with recordings capturing the raw energy of live sessions. Dope Purple transcends language and cultural barriers, using music as a primal expressive force that resonates deeply with experimental rock fans worldwide. Their music is best served live on stage, this band rawwwkks!!
Ronker is a ferocious and uncompromising Belgian band formed in 2020, emerging from the heart of Belgium’s swamplands with a sound that blends raw noise rock, post-punk urgency, and ’90s alternative metal grit. Known for their visceral, frantic energy and intense live performances, Ronker delivers music that’s both unpolished and emotionally charged, combining abrasive guitars and pounding rhythms with a DIY ethos. Their debut album ‘FIAFTNSLABB’ captures the band’s bipolar nature merging the reckless abandon of post-punk with the concrete power of alternative noise, creating a unique form of ‘DUPLO-metal’ that is both simple and richly textured. Ronker is staking its claim in the European underground with fearless, dynamic rock that refuses to conform. Definitely one to check out if you’re the adventurous type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every May (for 2026 it will be May 15 & 16) at the Doornroosje venue, Stationsplein 11, Netherlands.
Timings for 2026 are to be announced.
Timings for 2026 are to be announced.
Tickets are available via this website. If tickets are not sold out, they will also be available to purchase directly at the box-office.
Yes, you should receive a confirmation within 24 hours. Make sure to check your spam folder. If you did not receive anything or if you have any other ticketing-related issues with your order, get in touch: info@doornroosje.nl.
The Doornroosje venue is within 1-2 minute walking distance to Nijmegen Central Station.
Yes, band and festival merchandise. Cash and card payments.
Next to our regular array of beverages there is a specialty craft beer bar on the second floor of the Red Foyer. There will be hot meals and sandwhiches available.
Yes. You will receive a stamp which allows you to leave and re-enter the venue.
Click here for an overview of hotels and accomodations in Nijmegen.
The Keizer Karel Parking garage is nearby (in opposite of the train station). You can find all the details for parking here (in Dutch).
Make sure you get home safely, you can always share a ride or call a taxi.
It is card or PIN only in Doornroosje at the bar and food stands. Merchandise can be purchased with cash only, but more often also with card. There are ATM’s nearby the venue.
There is no minimum age for the Sonic Whip festival. If you’re under 14 years old, you must be accompanied by someone over 18.
Please note the music volume can be loud and consider suitable ear protection.
Please contact info@doornroosje.nl for press enquiries.
If you need medical attention, please alert somebody of the venue staff-member of security staff and we will assist you.
Yes, you can bring a basic camera without removable lenses and other accessories including monopods, selfie sticks, tripods. Please be respectful of the artists and the people around you when using your camera and turn the flash off. Professional camera’s or filming equipment are prohibited.
Doornroosje is fully accessible for wheelchairs (except for the balcony in the main room).
There is a wardrobe which is free of charge and where you can leave bags and items. There are also a limited amount of lockers availabe for €2.
Please contact us via info@doornroosje.nl for anything that isn’t covered here already.
No refunds or exchanges possible. You can give / sell your ticket to someone else. Line-up subject to changes.
