Radar Festival 2024

Following 3 highly successful years, Radar is back for a 4th year, bringing with it one of the most eclectic and diverse festival line ups of the year. Based in Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, this year’s headliners include synthwave masters The Midnight, Prog Metal legends TesseracT and tech metal heroes Leprous. It’s set to be huge and we are here to bring you all the best bits from the bands across the whole weekend. 

Friday

It’s the first day of the festival and queues are forming, eager to catch the first few bands the festival has to offer, it’s also a first chance to check out the huge marketplace and gaming areas. Let’s get stuck in with our first band of the day. 

We’re starting off over on the Sneak stage today, kicking things off with the mighty Cestra. Best known for her work with Choir Noir, Cestra takes to the stage under a red hue, her face covered by a veil. A red ring on her mic stand glows like a portal as her haunting voice rings out over dark electronic music. It’s a truly atmospheric and captivating performance, later joined by members of Choir Noir.

Next up, heading over to the main stage where American band Earthside are preparing to play. The band start their set late, "This is what happens when you let Americans on stage" the lead guitarist jokes. It’s an unintentionally instrumental set of 'tech metal' due to some technical difficulties but that doesn’t stop the keytar and synth player from putting on a truly enthusiastic performance as he thrashes about the stage, jumping from the drum risers and even making it down onto the barrier. It may not have gone as planned but it was a strong performance from the band. 

Unpeople are on the rise at the moment, featuring members of the much-loved Press to Meco, the crowd are in for a treat here. From start to finish, this set is a show of pure talent. Blending big riffs, bouncy breakdowns and some brilliant 3-part vocal harmonies this was a set not to be missed. Energy from the stage transferred straight to the crowd, whipping up a mix of bouncing bodies and a swirling pit. If there's one band you need to keep an eye on, Unpeople are it!

 Back to the Main stage and a red chair is centre stage, ready for Japanese guitar genius Ichika Nito. Once named number 8 in the best guitarists by Total Guitar, Nito’s skills have to be seen to be believed. It’s possibly one of the most unique sets today as Nito works with loop pedals to work through a set of jazzy complexity, to an awestruck crowd.

After a quick break it’s time to head back to the main stage to catch Danish band VOLA. Another band who are fairly new to me I wasn’t sure what to expect but what I got was a blend of atmospheric music mixed with tech metal breakdowns. The room has really filled out for this set, and it's not long before a circle pit has formed to a back drop of crunching guitars, thunderous bass and intricate syncopated drum beats. New songs like ‘Paper Wolf’ really highlight the true power of vocalist, Asger Mygind's, unique voice and style, bringing with it huge singalongs during the chorus. 

Next on the Sneak stage is a band who in my opinion stand out a little from the rest of today's line up. Taking to the stage to a rap-esque beat, Swedish metal-core quartet, Thrown waste no time in bringing the chaos. Opening track ‘Guilt’ hits like a punch to the gut whilst songs like ‘On the Verge’ showcase the band's unique metalcore approach. At times the band are verging on nu-metal, as thrashing guitars and bouncing beats are layered with a rhythmic vocal pattern, similar to that of a rapper. The reason I say the band stand out a little here is because the rest of today's line up leans closer to the prog/tech metal side of music, where this set takes the rage-filled, hardcore/metalcore route. But that's not a bad thing, it only diversifies the Radar line up further and Thrown's set, though short, never lets up and makes for an easy standout set from the day.

Main stage again, now it's time for instrumental prog-rocker PLINI. It's a complete change of pace from Thrown as the Aussie guitarist takes to the stage backed by an equally talented band. Performing a set of melodic and rhythmic songs, it's a joy to watch as Plini is a true master of his craft. It's an atmospheric experience which is only added to by the matching lighting display. Though the music may not be something to jump and dance to, it's Plini’s guitar skills which holds the attention of the audience, as he plays with absolute precision throughout even the most technical riffs.

 It's time for the first headliner of the weekend and the final band of the night. We head to the Danger zone now as The Midnight brings their unique synth-wave to the stage. Kicking things off with ‘Days of Thunder’, the crowd is instantly taken back to a time of 80’s action heroes as the band work their way through their first track of the night. Listening to a band like The Midnight, it's sometimes hard to figure out how it transfers to a live performance, but seeing it in person, it's a spectacle to behold. Frontman, Tyler Lyle’s vocals sound silky smooth over the dreamy sound of synth, joined frequently on vocals by bassist Leila Broussard, who brings another layer to the diverse sound. Guitar riffs sound huge and squealing solos stand out as the band make their way through their headline set. The inclusion of a saxophone, only makes this set more exciting, with the brassy riffs ringing out over the rest of the band. Songs such as ‘Jason’ and ‘Sunset’ are standout moments gaining huge reactions from the already excited crowd. It's a fun and enjoyable set bringing day one to an end in style, giving the crowd one last chance to dance and burn off that excited energy before the day comes to a close.

 Saturday

It’s the second day and probably the most exciting as British Prog metal legends TesseracT are set to close out the day in a unique and exciting headline set; more on that later! 

Starting the day strong, we head to check out the first band on our list, Tribe of Ghosts. It’s all crunching guitars and thrashing drums backing an incredible vocal performance from vocalist Beccy Blaker. It may be early but the room is packed out. The band is new to me but it’s easy to draw comparisons to the likes of Spiritbox. It’s a strong performance and there’s definitely big things to come from these guys in the future.

On the main stage Ithaca are preparing to take on the crowd. Ithaca are another band making waves in the scene over the last few years, quickly growing in popularity. It's easy to see the appeal as the group bring their aggressive hardcore to the crowd. Vocalist Djamal Azzouz makes full use of the stage in front of her, frequently moving about as she belts out her ferocious vocals, switching from brutal screams to majestic clean vocals. They play a strong set to a crowd that only increases in size as the set goes on. 

Next up is one of the U.K’s most exciting metalcore bands, Graphic Nature. Having recently released their second album, Graphic Nature are bringing their recent U.K. tour to a close with today’s set at Radar. It's not long into the set before vocalist Harvey has the crowd whipped up into a frenzy, circle pits swirl and the occasional crowd surfer makes themselves known. The band's set showcases their progression within the genre and also as a band, with the performance tighter than ever and the new songs taking the band to new heights. Mid-set Harvey talks about an event in his life which had a big impact, and how that only fuelled the lyrics and music further. Off-stage Harvey is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet but on stage he’s a force to be reckoned with as he unleashes his vicious screams, all whilst head-banging and stomping around the stage. The drum and bass influence in their music is another factor that makes them stand out, bringing more energy and more chaos to an already lively room.

Over on the Main stage, it's time for Car Bomb. These guys are possibly one of the heaviest bands of the day. Coming from America, they’re quick to make jokes about how England has York and America has New York. A blend of genres are mixed together to create a pulverising assault on the senses. Taking it away from the actual sound, the band is built of a group of talented musicians who each bring their own creative elements to the band, whether thats the jazz influence in the drumming or down-tuned guitars, it all works to bring something unique and different to the table.

Staying on the Main stage, it's time for something that definitely stands out as different. Swedish band Dirty Loops are known for their disco-infused funk but don’t let that fool you. As they blast through a cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Just Dance’, it's evident, these are not just your average cover songs. Individually the band members are all extremely talented musicians. The bassist plays a mixture of slap bass and finger picking, switching between the two like it's nothing, whilst the drummer shows a pure masterclass of technical style and intense speed. The covers are enough to keep the crowd entertained and the humour between songs gets plenty of laughs, most noticeably when vocalist and synth player, Jonah Nilsson asks the crowd to open up the pit for their heaviest song before diving head first into a cover of ‘Baby’ by Justin Bieber; talk about a curve ball.

As previously mentioned, TesseracT aim to go big with tonight’s headline performance. Joining them on stage is Choir Noir, lead by Cestra. Choir Noir have worked with a selection of huge artists including Bring Me The Horizon and Architects. Adding a choir to tonight’s performance will only add to the multiple layers that TesseracT are known for. As the lights dim, it’s time for TesseracT to take to the stage. From a blackened stage comes a droning sound, the occasional laser breaks through the thick smoke as the lights flicker. In no time the lights go up and the band are on stage, kicking off their set with ‘Natural Disaster’. Vocalist Dan Tompkins takes centre stage, dressed in his signature outfit and a vibrant face of warpaint. Even within the first few seconds of the performance, Choir Noir make their presence known, adding layers to an already complex song makes for an exciting performance.

The set continues in a similar way, filled with vibrant lighting and a whole array of lasers making for a visually exciting show. Drummer Jay Postones, once again blows minds with his syncopated, rhythmic drumming whilst bassist Amos Williams once again makes use of the space on stage. For those who have seen TesseracT on their most recent tour, the setlist may be a little too familiar but the addition of Choir Noir and the exciting visual display makes for a truly unique and exciting performance, with Dan's voice working in perfect harmony with the choir. 

The energy within the room is the highest it has been all weekend, with a continuous stream of crowd surfers and circle pits, whilst further back people stand in awe, taking in every detail and sound, as if experiencing the band for the very first time. It's a huge performance tonight and a milestone in the band's career, to see a band who’ve worked their way up to being able to fill a headline slot like this is an amazing experience, and a night that will be memorable for all who were there to witness this technical marvel.

Sunday

 It’s the final day of the festival but that doesn’t mean the energy is any different. On the line up today are the highly anticipated Siamese, Welsh break-out stars Holding Absence and a one of a kind unique set from headliner's Leprous. Let's take a look at today's highlights.  

First band we checked out today was Aussie metallers Future Static. Having listened to their music previously, I was keen to check them out and can confirm they do not disappoint. Blending crushing riffs with well-placed melodies, brought to life with a lively performance makes for an enjoyable early afternoon set. At times you can jump around, whilst at others, it’s time to open up the pit. Similar in sound to the likes of As Everything Unfolds, this metal band are 100% worth your time so it’ll be exciting to see where the music takes them. 

Originally billed for this slot on the main stage was Oxymorons, unfortunately they had to pull out which left a gap, which only the likes of Mike Dawes can fill. Taking to the stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a variety of pedals, Mike starts things off by joking about how he is the heaviest act of the weekend before proceeding to blow minds with his intricate and unique guitar techniques. Using a variety of strumming techniques and tapping the body of the guitar in a variety of places means he can simulate the rest of the band without ever actually needing one. It's something that's rather interesting to see and based on the reaction, the crowd are loving it. Mixed in with a whole array of covers and his own material, is also a lot of comedy between songs, making for a fun set and some light-hearted fun.

 Next up on the Main stage we have Sungazer; A band who self-described their music as a 'Deep dive into wikipedia, made in flesh’. "Be prepared for some grown men in pyjamas" says the enigmatic Adam Neely as the band take to the stage. To make the set interesting and different, the band start things off with an unrecorded piece of music. The band's music is the result of mashing genres together into an instrumental soundscape and it works. Combining prog, Jazz fusion, 8-bit and EDM creates a truly unique experience which is brought to life on stage by the truly talented members of the band. Adam also introduces the crowd to the ‘Sungazer 2 Step’. "It's two steps to the left and then two steps to the right" he tells the crowd, what follows is a whole room of people moving in unison.

Heading back to the Sneak stage for the high octane punk/hardcore fusion that is Blood Command. Live shows are where Blood Command shine, bringing their stomping riffs to life in a fast-paced, chaotic and highly entertaining live display. Vocalist Nikki Brumen provides a truly stand out performance, making full use of the raised catwalk at the front of the stage. She’s a true performer and it makes you wonder how she hasn’t risen to greater heights as she dances and even jumps out into the crowd. Songs like ‘The Plague on Both Your Houses’ and ‘A Villain's Monologue’ showcase the harder edge of the band, allowing the crowd to swirl and get out that frustration whilst the synth pop/punk ‘Saturday City’ brings out the band's fun side and shows off Brumen's massive vocal range. The on-stage chemistry between the band is also hard not to notice, they all look like they’re having a great time; with Manchester being one of their favourite UK cities it’s no surprise they get such a huge reception.

Holding Absence are one of those bands who come about every now and then who work tirelessly to bring the best of their abilities to the masses. Today the hard work pays off as they play a slot on the Main stage before tonight's Main stage headliner. Lucas once again brings his larger than life energy to the stage, showing off his huge vocal capabilities whilst also jumping around the stage, even throwing in the odd high kick here and there. Interacting with the crowd between songs is well received and each song brings huge applauses. For many, Holding Absence may have been an odd addition to the line up, they don’t necessarily fit in with all the other bands who’ve played throughout the weekend but that doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving of their spot. They might not be to everyone's taste but it's hard to deny that they aren’t all talented musicians and fantastic performers.

Tonight's headliner on the Sneak stage might be the heaviest band we’ve seen all weekend. Under an ominous glow, Humanity’s Last Breath take to the stage to deliver an onslaught of technical riffs, thrashing drums and deep guttural vocals. It's a true assault on the senses as the band unleashes their brand of deathcore onto the crowd. It's an atmospheric set which captivates the crowd, bringing the mosh a plenty. It's a mixture of soundscapes and breakdowns which keep the set interesting, with frequent tempo changes bringing the Sneak stage to a close with a colossal dose of atmospheric deathcore.

Tonight's final headline slot is filled with a band who are no stranger to this festival. Rounding off the weekend, is Norwegian prog metal band Leprous. Tonight, they’ve opted to give the crowd a unique set, built entirely from live requests. Kicking off with ‘Have You Ever?’ immediately gives vocalist and keyboard player Einar Solberg the chance to build up the atmosphere before taking things back in time with ‘The Price’, giving the crowd a taste of the band's range early on. This is where things get interesting, it's time for the live requests to start coming in. To help the crowd choose we are presented with 4 songs, loudest cheer gets played. It's an interesting way of doing things and also gives the fans a chance to hear songs that they may not hear live often.

Tonight's set is a reminder of what makes a band like Leprous stand out in such an expansive genre. Each member is uniquely talented, but when brought together it creates a band with huge depth. Something that drives Leprous so high, is their band’s founder and leader's ability to sweep away crowds with outstanding vocal abilities. It’s more than impressive to listen to his voice on studio work, but when it comes to live performances, Einar shines like diamond. Drummer Baard Kolstad also stands out with the level of complexity in the grooves he plays throughout the set's duration. Having delivered a setlist spanning their entire career tonight, Leprous have proven they are a worthy headliner and brought the weekend to a close in true style.

And like that Radar is over for another year. It's once again been an exciting year filled with a whole range of bands spread across multiple genres, but that's what makes Radar so exciting. The question on everyone's lips now is 'how can anyone top TesseracT’s colossal headline set next year?'.