Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons to headline rock festival in tribute to late Motörhead guitarist.
The progeny of the legendary Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell are set to commemorate their father’s life and lasting musical impact with special tribute performances at Hella Rock and Chepstow Castle.
Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons have officially announced their return to the stage to pay homage to their late father, Phil Campbell, following his passing in March. Todd Campbell, Dane Campbell, and Tyla Campbell, Phil’s sons, along with vocalist Joel Peters, will be headlining the Hella Rock Festival on September 5, 2026. The festival is scheduled to take place at the HMV Empire, an independent venue located in the heart of Coventry city centre. This performance comes after a previously planned show where Phil Campbell was meant to lead the group before his untimely death at the age of 64.
The significance of these upcoming concerts goes beyond just a typical festival appearance, signifying a pivotal moment for the band as they navigate a future without their founding father. The loss of Campbell was a profound moment for the rock world, marking the end of an era for the Motörhead lineage. The family acknowledges the emotional weight of his passing but has chosen to move forward with the shows to provide fans with a space to remember and honor his legacy. By stepping up to the headline slot, the younger Campbells are carrying on the musical traditions established by their father, ensuring that the high-octane energy synonymous with his time in one of rock’s loudest bands lives on.
The Hella Rock Festival has been reimagined to serve as a comprehensive tribute to the late guitarist. Fans at the Coventry event will have the chance to see Phil Campbell’s iconic guitar rig on display, offering a tangible link to the equipment that shaped his aggressive sound for years. The venue will also feature tour backdrops spanning his entire career and a memorial book for attendees to share their memories and messages. Festival director James Pilling highlights the close collaboration with the Campbell family to ensure that the tribute meets the expectations of the rock community. Aside from the main stage performances, the festival will introduce the Road Crew Stage for acoustic sets and has teamed up with Road Crew Beer to embody the Motörhead lifestyle.
Phil Campbell’s musical journey was characterized by an impressive 31-year tenure with Motörhead, joining the band in 1984 after the departure of Brian Robertson. Initially sought as a single guitarist by Lemmy Kilmister, the chemistry between Campbell and Michael “Würzel” Burston led to both musicians being enlisted. Campbell’s debut came as a trial by fire, appearing on the British comedy series The Young Ones just a week after his audition. Over the years, he recorded 16 studio albums with the band, including classics like Orgasmatron, 1916, and the powerful Bastards from 1993. After Lemmy’s passing in 2015, Campbell shifted gears towards the family-oriented venture, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, releasing the latest studio album, Kings Of The Asylum, in 2023.
In a landscape where rock touring can be unpredictable, exemplified by recent cancellations like the Scorpions’ tour in India, the commitment shown by the Campbell family to their 2026 dates offers a different narrative of resilience within the genre. These memorial shows represent a poignant moment for the band as they forge ahead without their namesake, a decision that may divide purists but is being framed as a direct continuation of the family’s musical heritage. The brothers initially had an extensive 2026 lineup planned, hinting at more shows to be announced as they chart the band’s long-term trajectory.
Looking ahead, the memorial concerts at Chepstow Castle and Hella Rock serve as a ceremonious close to one chapter and a potential gateway to the next. With acts like Tailgunner, King Kraken, and Silveroller joining the Coventry bill, the festival remains a vital platform for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a movement Campbell helped spearhead during his early days with Persian Risk. As the Campbell siblings gear up to deliver a set packed with Motörhead classics and original material, the focus remains squarely on the music that Phil Campbell dedicated five decades of his life to perfecting.