Just weeks after RADAR Festival’s return to Manchester, the excitement still lingers, proving once again why this festival is a must for progressive rock and metal fans. 

Following last year’s hugely successful event—headlined by the meteoric Sleep Token—this year had a lot to live up to. While Friday’s audience didn’t quite capture the same fervour as the previous year, the weekend delivered performances that showed the best of the progressive scene from all across the world.

Opening the mainstage on the first day of a festival is always a daunting task, but seasoned German band, The Intersphere, delivered an explosive start with their intricate blend of alternative rock and progressive metal. 

Despite a sparse early crowd by the time they’d reached the end of their 30-minute set the crowd was fully engaged, proving that a great performance can overcome even the most challenging of time slots.

Over on the Sneak Peek stage, newcomers Unpeople and Vower made their mark, highlighting RADAR’s mission to foster and nurture new talent & fresh projects. 

Unpeople delivered a fierce and captivating set – and it’s no wonder, considering they’d recently shared the stage with Metallica. With lead Josh Finerty’s impressive range shining through on singles “Waste” and “Smother”, and the band’s tight harmonies, it made them an early highlight of the festival.

Meanwhile, Vower, featuring former members of Palm Reader and Toska, overcame initial nerves to deliver a solid set—only their fourth live appearance since forming. Josh McKeown’s powerful vocals stood out as the band ripped through tracks from their debut EP Apricity, including standouts like “Shroud” and “False Rituals.” Their heavy breakdowns resonated strongly with the crowd who packed in closer as the band found their groove.

As the day progressed, the energy levels ebbed and flowed. Heavy-metallers, Thrown injected a much-needed dose of enthusiasm with the heaviest set of the day, jolting the somewhat reserved audience into action. While over on the main stage, the mood shifted dramatically as instrumental guitar wizard Plini took to the stage. With his quiet confidence, he effortlessly captivated the audience with intricate compositions and transcendent performance.

As the night began to wind down, Caskets closed out the Sneak Peek stage with their melodic rock. Although the band’s intensity, led by vocalist Matt Flood’s passionate delivery, didn’t fully connect with the audience, tracks like “Glass Heart” and “The Only Ones” resonated with those closest to the stage, offering a poignant close to the night. 

The night wrapped up with The Midnight’s headlining set—a nostalgic trip back to the 80s with their synthesizer and jazz-rock-infused sound. Despite the absence of their drummer and co-founder Tim McEwan, the band didn’t miss a beat. Tyler Lyle’s vocals were unmatched, especially on fan favourites like “Neon Medusa” and “Days of Thunder,” while bassist Lelia Broussard added depth to their dreamy, atmospheric music. The audience was swaying and singing along, and as they closed with “Sunset” and “Los Angeles,” it was clear that The Midnight had left everyone in high spirits, despite the crowd’s reserved demeanour earlier in the day. 

Saturday brought a noticeable shift in energy, with a more engaged crowd ready for a lineup that packed a heavier punch. Tribe of Ghosts and Kyros set the tone early on, but it was Hail the Sun who truly got the crowd moving. Lead singer Donovan Melero bounded across the stage, ripping through tracks with relentless energy.

Heart of a Coward, stepping up to the main stage this year after headlining the second stage last year, continued to up the ante. As lead singer Kaan Tasan declared they were there to “warm you up,” circle pits erupted, with the crowd surging in response to their blistering set, proving they’re more than worthy of the larger platform. 

Amidst the heavier riffs, Graphic Nature delivered an emotionally charged performance that connected deeply with the audience as they addressed mental health struggles. Lead vocalist Harvey Freeman’s candid remarks emphasised the band’s mission to connect with those who feel alone in their struggles, making their set a standout moment of the day.

The chaos continued as Car Bomb took to the stage with such ferocity that it felt like the ground itself was shaking. Their unpredictable time signatures and relentless energy created a chaotic yet captivating experience that was impossible to look away from.

This was followed by The Fall of Troy, whose frenetic energy and technical prowess had the crowd in the palm of their hand. A surprise appearance by Hail the Sun’s Donovan Melero for “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.” added an extra layer of excitement as the two frontmen traded lines to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.

The mood lightened considerably when Swedish jazz band Dirty Loops took the stage. Their quirky, unserious performance, complete with an unexpected and apparently “heavy cover” of Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” had the crowd smiling, as they were prompted to make a circle pit. The immense talent of Jonah Nilsson (vocals), Henrik Linder (bass), and Aron Mellergård (drums) delivered with playful enthusiasm, made their set a standout for its sheer entertainment value.

But as the sun set, all eyes turned to Tesseract, the night’s headliners. The progressive metal Titans closed out the day with a heavily thought-through performance. While Daniel Tompkins’s haunting vocals resounded throughout the venue, the intricate lighting bathed the stage in colour and the addition of backing singers made for a performance that was as much a visual spectacle as it was an auditory one. 

After the intensity of Saturday, Sunday offered a more relaxed atmosphere, providing a welcome respite for festival-goers who had given their all the day before. Mike Dawes stepped in for Oxymoron with a solo guitar set that was as entertaining as it was skilful, connecting with the audience through storytelling and a nod to last year’s headliners with a cover of Sleep Token’s “Euclid.” 

Sandwiched between Dawe’s wholesome set and Sungazer’s melodic and colourful Jazz performance were surprise act Pintglass. Standing in for Siamese, the hardcore grafters, brought a surprise edge to the day. 

Complete with high-vis vests and Stella-infused banter, they riled up the crowd with tongue-in-cheek performance and chants of “Geezer!” “Geezer!” making their set both outrageous and entertaining, bringing the festival-goers back to life after a mellow start.

Blood Command kept the energy high on the Sneak Peek stage, fervently showing their gratitude for being given a spot on the lineup. Meanwhile, on the main stage, Holding Absence—originally a late addition to the lineup—showcased their undeniable talent with hit tracks “Afterlife” and “Crooked Melody” as frontman Lucas Woodland hinted at their desire to return as festival headliners.

However, this year’s festival was brought to a close with a stellar performance by Leprous, whose intricate and immersive set was the perfect way to end the weekend. Despite a quieter start on Friday, RADAR Festival hit its stride on Saturday and didn’t let up, delivering a weekend filled with unforgettable performances. 

The diverse lineup ensured something for everyone, from the heaviest breakdowns to intricate guitar solos, cementing RADAR’s reputation as a vital and exciting event on the UK’s festival circuit.

What truly sets RADAR apart is its ability to foster a sense of community, breaking down barriers between artists and fans. The festival’s workshops, intimate performances, and the sight of musicians mingling with the crowd all contribute to an experience that’s as much about connection as it is about the music. 

RADAR knows its audience, and it’s clear the audience knows and loves RADAR right back. Whether you’re a hardcore metalhead or a fan of progressive rock, RADAR Festival remains a must-attend event for anyone looking to discover something new while celebrating the genres they love.