The 2026 edition of Slide Away Fest kicked off at the Brooklyn Paramount in New York City from May 15–16. Curated annually by Domenic Palermo of Nothing, the festival pays tribute to the originators of shoegaze while featuring contemporary acts. The event has grown significantly since its 2024 debut in Philadelphia, with this year’s run expanding to two-day installments in Chicago and Los Angeles following the NYC dates.

The most anticipated highlight of the festival was the reunion of legendary ’90’s alt-rockers HUM, marking their first performance in nine years. Following the tragic passing of original drummer Bryan St. Pere in 2020 and the release of their acclaimed album Inlet, the band’s return was met with overwhelming demand, causing dates to sell out nearly instantly across the country.

Chapterhouse was another highly anticipated artist on the bill. The legendary shoegaze band from Reading, England, have had occasional on and off reunions, but not since 2010. The festival’s mainstays were Chapterhouse, Hum, and, of course, Nothing, who performed their second LP, Tired of Tomorrow, which turned 10 this year.” Openers were different for both days in NYC and were also different for LA and Chicago. NYC featured the following:
May 15, 2026 at Brooklyn Paramount:
HUM
NOTHING
CHAPTERHOUSE
LOVELIESCRUSHING
BLEARY EYED
FRANKIE ROSE
May 16, 2026 at Brooklyn Paramount
HUM
NOTHING
CHAPTERHOUSE
SWIRLIES
SHE’S GREEN
WARMACHINE
The festival was sponsored by Fender, Grillo’s Pickles, and Pleasures. Throughout the event, attendees could try out exclusive Slideaway guitar pedals which were also for sale. Also available were free pickles, pickle-flavored cocktails, merchandise, rides on a pickle ride machine, inflatable pickles (which people waved and tossed around throughout the event) and Pleasures clothing for sale. A Grillo’s Pickles mascot, dressed as a pickle, was also walking around the audience or on the outskirts posing for photos with fans.
We already can’t wait for 2027!
Words by Chris Enriquez | Photos by Cristian Espinoza / @chaos_esper