With the festival season still in full swing there are many options for fans of alternative music in the UK, each with their own flavour, but this month we have the pleasure of being able to attend Radar Festival in Manchester.
Taking place at the O2 Victoria Warehouse, this indoor 3 day fest differs from the likes of Download, Slamdunk and 2000 Trees to give its own very unique experience. Filled with music, masterclasses from artists, computer games and a myriad of interesting exhibits, this festival is a musician’s dream This year, headlined by The Midnight, Tesseract and Leprous, fans of technical and progressive music are in for an absolute treat. We are excited for these acts, but even more so for the smaller bands through each day of the Festival.
Friday 26th
Unpeople – Sneak Energy Stage @ 3.20pm
Unpeople are newcomers to the UK scene this past year but have made an exceptional mark with their self titled EP. Comprising of a number of members from Press To Meco, we expect a busy stage and warm reception, despite being on so early in the day.
Ichika Nito – Archetype Stage @ 4pm
Ichika Nito is a well renowned name across the world as a virtuoso guitarist existing in the same realm of instrumental and progressive guitar music as Polyphia and Intervals. His set promises to be more relaxed and laid back as a reprieve for festival attendees to relax and take in the beauty of his music.
Thrown – Sneak Energy Stage @ 6.20pm
Thrown are THE metalcore band of 2024. They are absolutely everywhere and for good reason, their simplistic riffs, hard hitting song writing and intense vocals culminate together into something that packs an incredibly hard punch. We expect this set to be BUSY and to have limbs flying everywhere.
Caskets – Sneak Energy Stage @ 8.20pm
Caskets are a household name in alt metal and no stranger to the UK festival scene now as they close out the sneak energy stage for the day. They’ve seen a lot of success with their emotional and anthemic songs from the past few years. We expect to hear a big crowd sing along.
Saturday 27th
Ithaca – Archetype Stage @ 2.40pm
Described as a glitter covered nailbomb, Ithaca are a very exciting early band to check out, offering a vibrant mix of sounds and imagery both serene and chaotic. Their heaviness sets a high bar for the rest of the day to follow.
Heart Of A Coward – Archetype Stage @ 4pm
HOAC are UK scene veterans going since 2009, for fans old and new there is a lot to be offered, we are particularly hoping to old classics such as shade alongside songs from their latest album, ‘This Place Only Brings Death’.
Graphic Nature – Sneak Energy Stage @ 4.40pm
Graphic Nature are one of the rising stars in the uk metal scene, bounding from success to success with their most recent album ‘Who Are You When No One Is Watching”. Their mix of nu-metal inspired riffs and modern metal sensibilities make them an exciting and energetic blend both live and on record.
Carbomb – Archetype Stage @ 5.25pm
Carbomb are estranged cousins to the likes of Meshuggah, Dllinger Escape Plan and Frontierer. With dizzying mathcore rhythms and unhinged songwriting they promise to be an entertaining yet terrifying set with surprises at every turn.
Sunday 28th
Future Static – Sneak Energy Stage @ 3.20pm
Future Static have ventured all the way from Australia to deliver their own brand of modern metal. With a wide range of vocal stylings and riffs akin to Alpha Wolf and Vexed alike this set promises to be an energetic moment in the earlier part of the final day.
Siamese – Sneak Energy Stage @ 4.40pm
Siamese are one of the more fun and light-hearted acts of the weekend that we are looking forward to. Their alt-metal sound is very easy to enjoy and they are aren’t afraid to do things that are a little out there like embellishing Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani in one of their songs.
Holding Absence – Archetype Stage @ 7.10pm
There aren’t really many words needed to explain the excitement of seeing former Hardbeat cover artist Holding Absence. No matter how many times you see this band it’s always fun, entertaining and nothing beats an entire room yelling “I’m alive” in unison.
Humanity’s Last Breath – Sneak Energy Stage @ 8.20pm
Closing out the Sneak Energy stage for the weekend we have a rare and welcomed appearance from Humanity’s Last Breath. Lovechild of world renowned guitarist and producer Buster Odeholm, this band is as close to the end of the world as any of us will hear in the form of music.