Radar Festival: Ones To Watch
If you need a full weekend festival with complete shelter, no mud and no stress of camping in a tent then look no further than Radar Festival. Back for another huge year in Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, Radar bring not only a stacked line-up of music, but they also produce activities spread across the weekend including music workshops, live podcasts and shop pop-ups. I will be there all of this weekend to get in about all of the action from bands to interactive experiences that may or may not include building site work - let’s take a look at the ones to watch at this years festival.
The best thing about this festival is the fact that you can’t really miss any bands with there being no clashes, as soon as a main stage set ends, the second stage opens up and vice versa - it’s perfect right? I could sit here and just say see every band (do that because the line-up slaps) but also there are bands on this bill that deserve some shout outs throughout the weekend.
The main stage is housing some major names like headliners Skindred, Thy Art Is Murder and Animals As Leaders but there is a band who are rightfully getting main stage action, Kent based metalcore legends Graphic Nature or to some, the windbreaker band. They know exactly how to bring the energy to any room and being on the main stage, you best believe they’ll take full advantage of a big space to turn it into their own playground with big hitting songs like Fractured, White Noise and recent hard single Faceless. If you know this band you know what you’re in for, if not, then strap in for the sound of the 404. Else where on the main stage we see some UK festival exclusives from Volumes, Protest The Hero and Voyager, all in their own way will bring something special to Manchester. Last but certainly not least, one more big shout out for the icons that are Northlane - no strangers to taking on big stages or big rooms, these boys know where it’s at when it comes to working a room and let me tell you, this set will be a big big watch.
The second stage is rammed full of names I could sit all day and sing praises for because the talent stretches over so many areas of the alternative scene. London based Cage Fight blew my mind the first time I caught them live, the vocal range from singer Rachel Aspe is on another level and with the second stage room being up close and personal, you’re certain to feel the full force of what this band offer. Sticking with London, if you love Stella and screaming the word geeza then look no further than hardcore maniacs Pintglass - this is a band I would recommend to anyone I spoke to, the energy they produce is unmatched and getting a headline set, these geeza’s will have an abundance of chaos in store for Radar. Other names like Employed to Serve, Luna Kills and Eville are all major powerhouse bands who know how to bring the action - this stage is for anyone who craves serious riffs, breakdowns and all round high energy chaos.
Lastly lets not forget the upstairs action area of this festival that makes it so unique. Hosting an array of different things like Pintglass giving out their very own construction course, yes you read that right, get your high-vis looked out for this one. Bands will be doing signings, guitar workshops and even tabletop mini games and gaming rigs - there really is something for everyone to enjoy at this festival, even if you just want to escape from all the chaos from live music for a bit.
Radar is one of the most fun and action packed weekends of the festival circuit and its housed in such a convenient location close to Manchester city centre. From the bands to the activities, you’ll never find yourself board (or if you like board games then they have that too)
