More than 20 hours of hard techno, hard bounce & pure rave energy

This summer, Sound Waves Festival returns to Esmoriz, Portugal — and this time, it’s for its 21st anniversary. On July 11th, 2026, Portugal’s leading hard techno festival will once again bring together ravers from all over the world for more than 20 hours of non stop music, sweat, bass, lights and that special kind of freedom you only find on a dance floor.

photography by Marta Santos Visuals

Why this year is unmissable: Sound Waves has become one of the most important events in the hard techno scene, and this edition feels especially strong. Across the Main Stage and Second Stage, established names and rising artists will come together for a 21-hour journey through hard techno, hard bounce, schranz and industrial sounds.

The Main Stage line up includes 6EJOU, ADRIÁN MILLS, CLOUDY, GTH, KLOFAMA, KUKO b2b JOHANNES SCHUSTER, ORNELLA, RÆKKE b2b RØY, RESTRICTED, SHEILA, SLVL b2b USH, SPFDJ, SVETEC b2b O.B.I., TOXIC MACHINERY and TRYM.

And what we especially love this year: Sound Waves is listening to its audience and presents four female headliners on the Main Stage — CLOUDY, SPFDJ, ORNELLA and SHEILA. Four artists with completely different energies, but all of them bringing something powerful, fearless and authentic to the festival.

CLOUDY has become one of the most exciting names in the scene, moving between hard bounce, schranz and high-speed energy with a stage presence that feels impossible to ignore. SPFDJ brings her sharp selection, old-school spirit and raw intensity, always keeping the dance floor in motion. ORNELLA stands as one of Portugal’s leading hard techno figures, pushing schranz beyond borders while staying connected to the local underground. And SHEILA, with more than 20 years in the scene, enters this new chapter less glitzy, more underground, more authentic.

From international legends like TRYM, SPFDJ, SVETEC and O.B.I. to new-generation forces such as ADRIÁN MILLS, CLOUDY, RESTRICTED and KLOFAMA, this year’s edition brings together different BPMs, different histories and one shared energy: going all in.

After a memorable 2025 edition, attended by thousands of ravers from over 30 countries, Sound Waves returns with two stages and a production that aims to surpass everything before.

And guess what? We’re giving YOU the chance to be part of it.
What you can win:
2 Individual Regular Tickets for Sound Waves Festival 2026

Festival dates:
From Saturday July 11th at 5PM
Until Sunday July 12th at 2PM
Esmoriz, Portugal

How to enter:
Send an email to contact@c-heads.com with the subject line “SOUND WAVES 2026” and tell us: Which artist are you most excited to see and why?

The giveaway ends on June 22th, 2026. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email.

Good luck — and maybe we’ll see you on the dance floor in Portugal.