The Depot in the Castle festival returned to Cardiff Castle on 26 July 2026, offering a journey through music nostalgia under sunny skies. Families gathered in the Welsh capital for the all-day event, which featured acts spanning generations and a range of activities for all ages.
Early performances and Bingo Lingo fun
Last entry was strictly enforced at 6pm, a rule that proved beneficial as it allowed the crowd to catch Cardiff-born Ben Ellis. He wore a Welsh jersey and performed a cover of Stereophonics’ Dakota, getting the whole castle singing, along with original songs that earned him a new fan. Between acts, Depot resident DJ Ian Davies hosted Bingo Lingo-themed sessions like Giant Karaoke, leading singalongs to Waterloo, Africa, and YMCA.
Family activities and festival food
From the 12pm opening, children enjoyed drum workshops, sign-making sessions, and circus skills. However, the noise of the entertainment sometimes clashed with the stage music, making it hard to hear. Food from vendors cost over £10; a burger and chips from Brasco’s Burgers was £15 and described as delicious and filling. The crowd was notably diverse, spanning newborns to grandparents, and many left early before the headliners.
Sugababes bring 2000s nostalgia
The original Sugababes line-up of Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhán opened with Freak Like Me and delivered banger after banger, including Too Lost in You, Round Round, Push the Button, and About You Now. They also performed their new song Modern Love and closed their set with their debut single Overload. Their harmonies impressed, proving they are back in form.
The Wombats close the night
The Wombats took the stage to Moving to New York, with lead singer Matthew Murphy exclaiming: "F***ing hell Cardiff you’ve got some beans tonight." The set included Kill the Director, Greek Tragedy, Let’s Dance to Joy Division, and an acoustic rendition of Lethal Combination, during which the crowd held up torches. Traditional costumed wombats appeared, and the band played a condensed but energetic set that had everyone dancing, including security.
BSL interpreters steal the show
The British Sign Language interpreters were praised as unsung heroes, delivering full performances for each song and making the festival accessible. Overall, Depot in the Castle was hailed as a great environment for all ages, offering a taster of various artists and a sunny day out in the Welsh capital.
