The world’s only festival dedicated to workplace bands, Brands Like Bands, is returning in 2026 — bringing colleagues from offices across the UK and Europe onto some of the world’s most iconic music stages. The festival will take place at Hard Rock Cafe London in May, offering amateur musicians the chance to step away from their day jobs and showcase their musical talent live.
Built on the idea that most people who play music are not professional musicians, Brands Like Bands celebrates creativity, teamwork, and passion outside the workplace. The festival encourages employees to form bands with their colleagues and perform in a high-energy, real-world music setting.
For music lovers and workplace teams alike, this is a unique opportunity to experience live performance in a venue steeped in music history. Hard Rock Cafe London remains one of the world’s most recognisable music venues, known for hosting legendary performances and celebrating global music culture.
A Festival Built on Creativity, Teamwork and Passion
Brands Like Bands was created to highlight the universal connection between music and workplace culture. The festival celebrates people who balance full-time jobs with their love of performing, proving that creativity doesn’t have to stay outside office hours.
Participants come from companies, teams and diverse professional backgrounds — all united by their shared passion for music. The festival provides a powerful platform for collaboration, self-expression and team bonding, while delivering an unforgettable live performance experience.
Brands Like Bands founder Fernando Gaspar Barros explained the philosophy behind the festival:
“Brands Like Bands proves that the love of music doesn’t stop at the office door. We invite people to challenge their colleagues, form a band, and turn a shared passion into a real-live experience on one of the world’s most iconic stages.”
The festival continues to grow in popularity as more businesses recognise the value of creative team activities that go beyond traditional workplace events.
Brands Like Bands Expands Across Europe
In addition to London, Brands Like Bands will take place across multiple European cities at Hard Rock Cafe locations, including:
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Berlin
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Florence
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Barcelona
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Lisbon
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London
Each location will host its own celebration of workplace musical talent, giving teams across Europe the chance to participate in this unique cultural movement.
Fans of live music and workplace creativity can follow updates via Hard Rock Cafe’s events page or visit the festival website for more details.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
Businesses interested in participating can register their workplace band before April 15.
Registration and more information can be found here: http://www.festivalbrandslikebands.com/en/home/
This is a great opportunity for companies looking to boost employee engagement, encourage team-building activities, and showcase their creative side in a global music setting.
Why Brands Like Bands Matters
As workplace culture continues to evolve, events like Brands Like Bands highlight the growing importance of creativity and personal passion within professional environments. Music has long been recognised as a powerful tool for connection and collaboration, and this festival brings that concept to life in a live performance format.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast, an aspiring performer, or a company looking to create unforgettable team experiences, Brands Like Bands offers something truly different in the world of festivals.
