Electric Castle is starting to garner more interest online after organizers announced the full lineup for the 2026 edition, which also features actor Keanu Reeves.
The festival, which will take place between July 16 and 19 on the Bánffy estate in Bonțida, brings on stage The Cure, twenty one pilots, Teddy Swims, Wet Leg, Kneecap, Yung Lean & Bladee, but also the band Dogstar, of which Reeves is a member, according to News.ro.
The actor known for his roles in The Matrix or John Wick does not come to Bonțida for the film, but for the music. Reeves plays bass in the alt-rock band Dogstar, which has recently returned to work and is preparing new material.
The announcement of Keanu Reeves’ participation immediately attracted the attention of fans and generated increased interest in the festival, with the name Electric Castle being increasingly associated in searches with the Hollywood actor.
The festival’s full lineup includes both established names and up-and-coming artists. On the main stage will be, among others, Teddy Swims, making their first appearance in Romania, but also bands such as Wet Leg, LP and Nothing But Thieves, which have become landmarks of the indie and alternative scene in recent years.
Electric Castle also brings European hip-hop, with artists such as Kneecap, the Belfast trio known for their political discourse and explosive energy on stage, as well as Yung Lean and Bladee, big names in the cloud rap scene.
In the area of electronic music, the lineup includes Mochakk, Chase & Status, Subtronics, Kölsch or Deep Dish, artists covering genres from tech-house to drum & bass and progressive house.
For rock fans – but also for those who know Reeves from his films – the Dogstar concert promises to be one of the special moments of this year’s edition. The actor-founded band promises new material that shows their comeback isn’t just a nostalgic moment.
The organizers have announced that tickets for Electric Castle are already available on the festival website, at a promotional price of 169 euros plus taxes for General Access, for a limited period.
The full list of artists can be found on the festival’s official website.
The story of Dogstar
We remind you that the band Dogstar was formed in the early 90s in Los Angeles and is best known for the fact that actor Keanu Reeves plays bass. But the group’s story begins in an unexpected way.
In 1991, Keanu Reeves met actor and musician Robert Mailhouse by chance in a supermarket in Los Angeles. The two began discussing their shared passion for music and decided to perform together. Mailhouse became the drummer and Reeves took over the bassist role.
They were soon joined by guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose, and the Dogstar formula became complete.
Dogstar quickly entered the Los Angeles alternative rock concert circuit. The band released their first album, “Our Little Visionary”in 1996, followed by “Happy Ending”, in 2000.
During that time, Dogstar opened for artists such as Bon Jovi and appeared on stages for the likes of David Bowie, participating in international tours and festivals.
Even though Reeves was becoming more famous in Hollywood – especially after the release of the film “The Matrix” – he continued to perform with the band, often preferring to stay in the background on stage.
After the early 2000s, Dogstar went on an extended hiatus. Reeves’ film career became more intense, and the band members focused on other projects.
For nearly two decades, Dogstar hasn’t released any new music.
In 2023, Dogstar officially reunited and released the album “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees”, their first new material in more than two decades.
The comeback was accompanied by tours and festival appearances, and in recent years the band has returned to international stages.
