Festival season is in full swing, and before you know it one weekend ends and another begins. For lovers of progressive music, metal, hardcore and everything in between, though, one date always stands out on the calendar. Returning to Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, Radar Festival has steadily grown from an ambitious newcomer into one of the UK's most respected independent festivals. Since launching in 2021, Radar has built its reputation by blending established names with rising talent, creating a lineup that feels refreshingly different from the usual festival circuit. Opening day has become synonymous with crushing breakdowns, relentless pits and enough energy to leave you wondering how the rest of the weekend could possibly top it.
Kicking things off for me were Sixth Wonder, and what an introduction they were. From the opening song it was impossible not to be impressed by the vocalist's range. Switching effortlessly between soaring cleans and ferocious harsh vocals, every transition landed perfectly, giving the band's already powerful songs another level of intensity. It was an early reminder that Radar has a knack for putting emerging bands in front of audiences ready to discover something new.
CTL Drp followed with a set packed full of energy. Sometimes you can tell when a band is simply going through the motions, but that couldn't have been further from the truth here. Every member looked like they were genuinely enjoying themselves on stage, feeding off one another and the crowd. Their enthusiasm quickly became infectious, turning an already lively room into one that barely stood still.
If there was one set that completely blindsided me, it was Graphic Nature. The moment the opening note rang out, a two-step pit erupted in the middle of the floor as if someone had flicked a switch. The band wasted no time taking control, encouraging crowd participation with the chant of "It's making me sick," which echoed around the warehouse. Somewhere in the chaos, the now legendary Cookie Monster made an appearance, much to the delight of the regular Radar crowd. Before long, the biggest circle pit the room could physically hold had opened up, with bodies flying around every corner. Add in a Limp Bizkit-style jump-up before another crushing breakdown, and it became one of the most enjoyable sets I've experienced in quite some time.
Cage Fight somehow kept that momentum rolling. Frontwoman Rachel Aspe didn't stay confined to the stage for long, diving into the crowd while a pit formed around her. It perfectly summed up the band's connection with the audience. Having seen them previously, it was impossible not to notice just how much tighter they have become. Rachel's vocals have reached another level, sounding more confident and controlled without sacrificing any of the aggression that makes Cage Fight such a force live.
Hacktivist brought an entirely different flavour of heaviness, blending crushing riffs with rap-infused vocals that immediately got the room moving again. With two vocalists constantly covering every inch of the stage, there was barely a second to catch your breath. Circle pits opened almost instantly, crowd surfers came one after another despite the relatively intimate room, and the audience responded to every command. Middle fingers filled the air on cue, voices screamed every lyric back, and just when you thought the set couldn't get any more surreal, every crowd surfer during the final song was rewarded with a pack of Pokémon cards. Only at Radar.
As chaotic as the day had already been, Pintglass somehow managed to raise the bar even further. Walking on stage to the Stella Artois theme while the crowd chanted "Gezza! Gezza! Gezza!" set the tone immediately. Their mission was simple: break Radar's crowd surfing record. Throughout the set they repeatedly questioned whether the audience was "even here" before demanding more surfers over the barrier. Security certainly earned their wages, while successful crowd surfers were rewarded with high-vis vests in true Pintglass fashion. Bringing the vocalist's brother on stage to lead another deafening "Gezza" chant only added to the glorious madness. It wasn't just the wildest set of the day—it was one of those festival moments people will still be talking about next year.
Closing the evening were Thy Art Is Murder, delivering exactly the sort of headline performance the opening day deserved. Their crushing sound filled every corner of Victoria Warehouse, with razor-sharp musicianship matched by a commanding vocal performance that held the audience from start to finish. After an entire day of relentless pits, breakdowns and non-stop movement, they provided the perfect finale to Friday's celebration of heavy music.
If day one proved anything, it's that Radar Festival continues to understand exactly what its audience wants. Whether showcasing exciting up-and-coming acts or welcoming back established names, every band arrived determined to leave their mark. With the heavy day setting such a blistering pace, the question wasn't whether the weekend could deliver—it was whether anyone had enough energy left for what Saturday had in store.
Photos by Radar Festival Media Team
Review by Jack Norris
