Is RADAR on Your Radar?

RADAR Festival is almost upon us for 2024, and if you haven’t already got a ticket then now is the time to grab one! The festival not only covers progressive/technical metal and rock, but also pushes those boundaries and often breaks them with genre-spanning and unexpected acts that positively challenge the way we look at music and performance.

The O2 Victoria Warehouse has an amazing main space which houses Stage One. This main stage naturally features some of the biggest acts, and this year includes a genre-breaking headline show from The Midnight (Friday), live fan request headline set from Leprous (Sunday) and an extra special TesseracT headline show featuring Choir Noir (Saturday). For the later we’ve been promised that it’ll ‘open you up to a wild and immersive universe’, and personally we can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for us! The main stage has a world-leading PA (one of a pair, the other being in Los Angeles) and a tiered balcony with accessible viewing for the punters to enjoy bands including Plini, VOLA, Car Bomb, Heart of a Coward and Holding Absence.

If you want to throw yourself into the music up-close and personal, then Stage Two is for you. This stage tends to host some of the heaviest bands in this space and this year includes Conjurer, Humanity’s Last Breath, and Thrown. It’s also a haven for acts on the verge of something special, such as Graphic Nature, Siamese and Seething Akira. It’s worth noting that in response to feedback about difficult sightlines to the stage they’ve installed screens on each pillar to show a live feed off the stage.

Last year they introduced their Music Market, which was a unique experience: combining the festivals shared love of musical instruments and video games all in one place. The organisers believe festivals should be an experience with much more than just music and aim to constantly push the boundaries year after year. For example, this year will see the addition of a pop-up boardgames café and retro game arcade.

Each year they curate a programme of masterclasses featuring some of the amazing musicians at RADAR Festival and have worked hard to make these more accessible to the whole audience. In 2024 they’re looking to expand the scope of the Masterclasses to include industry talks with leading figures in the scene.

Much like we saw with Tech-Fest UK, at the heart of RADAR is that sense of building a genuine community. It’s a community that starts with music - created for the fans, by the fans. RADAR is not just about tag lines, it’s honestly a very welcoming event where inclusivity, diversity and equality shine. The organisers genuinely strive to provide a welcoming and safe environment, with a welcoming and identifiable crew who are happy to help at any point during the festival.

RADAR Festival dates and tickets

Friday 26 July – headlined by The Midnight

Saturday 27 July – headlined by TesseracT

Sunday 28 July – headlined by Leprous

Venue Info

O2 VICTORIA WAREHOUSE

Trafford Wharf Rd,

Trafford Park, Stretford,

Manchester, M17 1AB