Liberation Weekend II Announces Refreshed Lineup

Devi McCallion, Hit Like a Girl, and others join the music festival to support trans rights.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:04pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes and high-contrast colors, conceptually representing the music festival and its mission to support trans rights.The refreshed lineup for Liberation Weekend II celebrates the festival's resilience in supporting the transgender community during challenging times.Tallahassee Today

Liberation Weekend II, the annual fundraiser music festival for the transgender community, has announced a refreshed lineup after some high-profile departures. The festival, running April 24-26 in Washington, D.C., will now feature new headliners like Devi McCallion and Pool Kids, as well as additional daytime and after-party acts. The event aims to raise money for trans activist groups amid a backdrop of new state laws threatening the rights and safety of transgender people across the country.

Why it matters

Liberation Weekend II is an important annual event that brings the LGBTQIA+ community together to support transgender rights and visibility. The festival's evolving lineup reflects the ongoing challenges and activism surrounding trans issues, as new state laws targeting trans people's legal recognition and access to public spaces make national headlines.

The details

Earlier this month, the D.C. punk band Ekko Astral dropped off the Liberation Weekend II lineup following several weeks of internal turmoil. Now the festival's organizers have announced new headliners to replace Ekko Astral and Illuminati Hotties, who also withdrew. The updated lineup includes Toronto artist Devi McCallion as the new Saturday headliner, and Tallahassee emo band Pool Kids closing out the festival on Sunday. The event will take place across two venues, with afternoon showcases and after-parties added at the newly opened Transmission venue on H Street NE.

  • Liberation Weekend II will run from April 24-26, 2026.
  • The festival's lineup was announced on March 30, 2026.

The players

Devi McCallion

A Toronto-based alternative pop artist who will replace Ekko Astral as the Saturday headliner for Liberation Weekend II.

Pool Kids

A Tallahassee-born emo band that will now close out the Liberation Weekend II festival on Sunday.

Gender Liberation Movement

The trans activist group that partners with Liberation Weekend and will receive proceeds from the 2026 festival.

No More Dysphoria

A mutual aid nonprofit that supports trans people in the process of transitioning, and will also receive funds raised at Liberation Weekend II.

Nicolle Maroulis

The founder of No More Dysphoria, who will also perform at the festival on Sunday with the Philadelphia pop-punk band Hit Like a Girl.

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What they’re saying

“To be a recipient this year feels like a special honor. What the Liberation Weekend team and the DC community are doing here is really powerful, and I hope inspires more mobilization in other cities and communities.”

— Nicolle Maroulis, Founder, No More Dysphoria

What’s next

The Supreme Court's recent 8-1 ruling against a Colorado law banning LGBTQIA+ conversion therapy could prevent other states from enacting similar laws, which will be a key issue to watch as Liberation Weekend II approaches.

The takeaway

Liberation Weekend II's evolving lineup and expanded programming reflect the ongoing challenges and activism surrounding transgender rights, as the festival aims to raise critical funds for trans-led organizations during a time of increased legal threats to the LGBTQIA+ community across the country.