After two days of relentless riffs, bruised shins from countless trips through the pit and enough crowd surfers to last a lifetime, Sunday arrived with a noticeably different atmosphere. The final day of Radar Festival has always leaned towards the more progressive side of heavy music, giving fans a chance to appreciate technical musicianship alongside the chaos that had defined the previous two days. There was still plenty of energy left inside Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, but the mood had shifted. It felt less like controlled mayhem and more like a celebration of everything that makes Radar such a unique festival.
Opening my day was Maebe, who provided the perfect introduction to Sunday's lineup. Their instrumental approach immediately created a calmer atmosphere without losing the audience's attention for a second. Instrumental bands can sometimes struggle to command a stage without a vocalist leading the charge, but that certainly wasn't the case here. Every member brought plenty of presence, making it impossible to take your eyes off the performance while showcasing just how talented they are as musicians.
Ihlo followed with a polished performance that clearly resonated with a large portion of the audience. While their atmospheric progressive sound isn't necessarily one I'd usually gravitate towards personally, there was no denying the quality of the musicianship on display. The crowd around me were completely invested, proving exactly why the band has built such a loyal following within the progressive scene.
Benthos brought the energy levels back up with a set full of crushing lows and intricate musicianship. Their confidence on stage seemed to have stepped up another level, matching the weight of their sound perfectly. A number of songs from their latest album made an appearance, with Pure standing out as a particular highlight. The combination of technical precision and raw aggression made for one of the strongest sets of the afternoon.
Elwood Stray wasted no time making an impression. Before the first song had even properly kicked in, their introduction had the photographers dancing away in a little circle by the barrier, which pretty much summed up the mood around the room. Once the full band got going, it only got better. Their frontman barely stopped moving for the entire set, constantly feeding off the crowd's energy while delivering what was, for me, one of the finest vocal performances of the entire weekend. Whether switching between harsh vocals and cleans or encouraging the audience to join in, everything felt effortless.
Making their Manchester debut, Luna Kills certainly made sure people would remember them. Playing your first show in a city is never easy, but you would never have guessed it from the confidence they showed on stage. Their blend of modern metal and infectious hooks won people over quickly, and by the end of the set there was every indication that it wouldn't be their last visit to Manchester.
Einar Solberg offered something completely different. Best known as the voice of Leprous, his solo material created one of the weekend's most immersive performances. The addition of live violin added an entirely new dimension to the songs, elevating already emotional compositions into something genuinely captivating. It was one of those sets where the audience seemed almost afraid to break the atmosphere, hanging onto every note until the final applause.
Voyager ensured there would be no lull in the afternoon. Their charismatic frontman had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment they walked on stage, combining powerful vocals with effortless audience interaction. Unsurprisingly, their Eurovision hit Promise received one of the biggest reactions of the set, with voices ringing out across Victoria Warehouse as fans sang every word back. It was impossible not to get caught up in the feel-good atmosphere they created.
Employed to Serve brought the aggression straight back, reminding everyone that even on the festival's more progressive day there was still room for absolute brutality. Their crushing riffs and uncompromising intensity reignited the pits, with the audience responding exactly as you'd expect after an entire weekend of live music.
Ten56 ensured nobody became too comfortable. Their performance was as punishing as expected, unleashing wave after wave of crushing breakdowns that sent the crowd back into overdrive. Even after three days on their feet, Radar's audience somehow found another gear, with pits opening almost instinctively as each song landed.
Closing the entire festival were Animals As Leaders, delivering a masterclass in technical musicianship that perfectly summed up everything Radar Festival stands for. Tosin Abasi and company demonstrated why they're regarded as one of the most innovative instrumental bands in modern metal, effortlessly blending jaw-dropping precision with songs that never lost their emotional impact. Watching the audience stand in awe one moment before erupting into cheers the next was the perfect ending to a weekend built on celebrating incredible live performances.
As the final notes faded and fans slowly made their way out of Victoria Warehouse, there was a real sense that Radar Festival had done it again. Across three days it had showcased everything from hardcore chaos and crushing deathcore to progressive masterpieces, rising local talent and internationally renowned headliners, all without ever losing its identity. Few festivals manage to create such a genuine sense of community between artists and fans, but Radar continues to do exactly that year after year.
If this weekend proved anything, it's that Radar Festival isn't simply another stop on the summer festival calendar. It's a home for musicians pushing boundaries, for fans willing to discover their next favourite band, and for a community that thrives on unforgettable live music. Judging by the smiles, sore bodies and exhausted faces leaving Manchester on Sunday night, the countdown to Radar Festival 2027 has already begun.
Photos by Radar Festival Media Team
Review by Jack Norris
