This year saw the Outbreak team expand their event calendar from a three-day festival in Manchester to also hosting a one-off all-dayer with Bring Me The Horizon. If that wasn’t enough, they are now set to bring Deftones to the All Points East site. The line-up is wildly stacked, and, while most attendees will be there to catch headliners Deftones and IDLES, there are five acts we think you should make a point of seeing.
Show Me The Body
NYHC, but not as you know it. Show Me The Body brings all the sensibilities of a grassroots, DIY hardcore band, while also sprinkling in a banjo, some noise-adjacent riffs and hip-hop influences. Hot off the release of their critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Alone Together, the three-piece are on a fast trajectory towards true stardom and finally receiving the flowers they deserve. Expect weird melodies and plenty of tempo changes when you catch them at the North Arena at 13:55.
Basement
It might be odd to be attending an event hosted by Outbreak and not be aware of who Basement are, but just in case you a) didn’t catch them at Outbreak Manchester and b) are purely going to see Deftones and want to make the most of your day, this is the pick for you. Shoegaze/Emo/viral sensations Basement play a mix of tracks from their newer release WIRED but always round off their sets with the classics. Given their youthful appearances, it feels strange to remember their viral track Covet was released in 2012! Go see them with a big group of friends and sing terribly together at the East Stage at 14:50.
Mannequin Pussy
Outbreak brought this Philly-based punk rock band over to the UK in 2022 and 2024, and now they’re back in 2026, so be sure to catch them on their biannual hop across the pond. This four-piece is unapologetically political live, tearing through a setlist tackling reproductive rights and social justice issues. Fierce, passionate and musically incredible, catch them at the West Stage at 15:00.
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Planting themselves firmly in Outbreak’s diverse booking forest, Japanese DJ ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U will be bringing his high-octane, genre mashup set to Victoria Park. Known for mixing anything and everything, this set will be high on a lot of music nerds’ must-see lists. Check out whether he mixes emo and techno and whether nu-metal blends into gabber. Bring earplugs and dancing shoes to the North Arena at 17:20.
EsDeeKid
A total wild card to the outsider, this Scouse rap sensation has been added to an alternative/hardcore/grunge line-up, but, to the initiated, this is wholly predictable for Outbreak. With artists such as Denzel Curry and Death Grips gracing the posters in years gone by, the festival champions all forms of alternative music, and that includes every branch of hip hop/rap. One look at the explosive mosh pits at his shows further cements his status as a great pick, if his electronic/distorted sound hadn’t convinced you already. And no, he’s not secretly Timothee Chalamet. Avoid the North Arena at 18:45 if you don’t like strobe lights.