'80s Rock Icon, 70, Announced as 2026 Rock Headliner at Music Festival
- - '80s Rock Icon, 70, Announced as 2026 Rock Headliner at Music Festival
Whitney DanhauerDecember 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
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Billy Idol is already on the books for 2026.
The ‘80s rock legend, 70, has been announced as the rock headliner for Lakefront Music Fest in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where he’s scheduled to perform on Friday, July 10, 2026.
The festival confirmed Idol on its site and promotional materials, which also list the event as a two night fundraiser with Keith Urban topping the country lineup the following evening on July 11.
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Lakefront Music Fest is held at Lakefront Park and bills itself as a private fundraising event that brings in national acts for a weekend of live music. Organizers note that tickets for the 2026 edition are already on sale, which gives fans plenty of time to plan a summer trip built around Idol’s set and the rest of the rock night lineup, which includes Jefferson Starship, with more acts still to be announced.
The Lakefront booking comes during a busy stretch for Idol.
In April 2025 he released Dream Into It, his ninth studio album and first full length set of new material in more than ten years. The record arrived on Dark Horse Records and BMG and features contributions from longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, along with guests Avril Lavigne, Alison Mosshart, and Joan Jett.
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Reviews have described the album as a concept project that traces Idol’s life and leans into punk rock, new wave, and pop rock sounds while revisiting the energy that first made him a star.
Dream Into It was born from the work Idol did on the documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival in June 2025.
The film, directed by Jonas Akerlund, revisits his rise from the London punk scene, his commercial breakthrough, his struggles with addiction, and the major accidents and turning points that reshaped his life and career.
One of the key links between the album, the film, and Idol’s current resurgence is the song “Dying To Live.”
The track appears in Billy Idol Should Be Dead and was recently named to the shortlist for Best Original Song at the Ninety Eighth Academy Awards. It’s one of fifteen titles that advanced in the category, according to the Academy’s official shortlist announcement and trade reports.
For now Idol’s only confirmed 2026 date is his headlining spot at Lakefront Music Fest in Minnesota, but the festival appearance coincides with his new album, an acclaimed documentary, and an Oscar short-listed song all working in his favor.
Fans who want to see him live next year at least know one place they can find him – onstage under the summer lights in Prior Lake.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
