Boomtown 2026- Zack Polanski makes surprise appearance

As a special guest before the band’s performance on Sunday, August 16, Mr Polanski praised festivalgoers for transforming the Matterley Estate into a temporary city of music, art and culture.

Alongside Ru Paul’s star Crystal, he took the Lion's Den stage to promote the Take the Jump campaign, a grassroots movement that encourages people to adopt six science-backed lifestyle shifts aimed at protecting nature and battling climate change.

Speaking to the crowd, he said: “You are looking incredible.

“Look what we have created together just a few weeks ago, this was just a scorched field but now we have built a city. A city of lights and music, but it is a city of culture, music, art and dance.

“Times are grim right now, all around the world, but culture, music, is the answer. Culture and stories change before laws do, communities change before institutions do and community will change everything.”

Zack Polanski on stage (Image: Newsquest)

During his speech, the screen flashed with messages reading ‘live with joy,’ ‘protect nature,’ ‘end division,’ ‘build community,’ and ‘take the Boomtown magic home - take the jump.’

He continued: “What kind of story are we going to tell- who is ready for rent control?

“When the 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than 34 million people, who is ready to tax the rich?

“And who is ready to say no more war? We want peace and free Palestine.”

Mr Polanski then urged those at the festival to take Boomtown’s community spirit beyond the weekend.

He said: “This is exactly what culture does, it creates moments.

“So the weekend, when it is over, do not go back and say, ‘wasn’t Boomtown great?’ take Boomtown with you, take it into your community.

“Together, we have eaten together, danced together, helped people who need it. How much better would the world be if that we did that every single day?

“Unapologetically truthful, bold and fierce.”

Mr Polanski revealed in an interview with NME in January that he used to work at Boomtown.

Boomtown is a five-day music festival held between August 12- 16 at the Matterley Estate, where themed districts, live acts, and interactive performances create a temporary fictional city.

Find out more at takethejump.org