Rozemary
Rozemary are the crown jewel of metalcore in Merseyside right now, with the newly released ‘It’s Harder to Breathe’ providing a fresh and intriguing companion to 2025’s ‘The Lies They Made Me Believe’ with its addictive mix of brutality and passages of vulnerability. Their UK tour ends with them cutting the ribbon on Radar Fest providing them a platform in front of the masses after tearing through the UK this summer. If you like your metalcore to actually feel like it’s made by humans then let this band set the bar for your weekend. Catch them on the Shure Stage on Friday at 1pm. – AC
Sixth Wonder
Progressive metalcore doesn’t always have to disappear into endless time signatures, and Sixth Wonder demonstrate that better than most. The Glasgow outfit combine technical musicianship with memorable songwriting, creating songs that are every bit as catchy as they are intricate. They’re still early in their journey, but each release has shown a band growing rapidly into their own identity. Catch them now, because they don’t feel destined to stay on the smaller stages for very long. They’ll be on the Shure Stage on Friday at 2pm. – VR
Cage Fight
If your ideal festival experience involves riffs that hit like a freight train and a crowd that completely loses its mind, Cage Fight should already be highlighted on your clashfinder. Their blend of hardcore attitude, thrash aggression and uncompromising heaviness makes them one of the most relentless live bands on the bill, while Rachel Aspe remains one of the fiercest frontwomen in modern metal. Expect organised chaos, flying bodies and absolutely no easing into the weekend. – VR
Volumes
Main stage saviours Volumes have stepped into Chelsea Grin’s shoes with momentum on their side. Late 2025’s Mirror Touch is still fresh in its life cycle, Myke Terry somehow being able to find time from being metal’s busiest frontman to save the day. Expect early djent classics in ‘Edge of the Earth’ to the new infectious bounce of ‘Bad Habits’ to show the best of vocalist Michael Barr as this definitive version of the djent pioneers are sure to remind everyone why they have been such a popular replacement. Catch them on Friday, 7:10pm, at the Obscure Clothing Stage. – AC
Dacara
Festivals are won and lost by their opening acts, and Radar have handed Dacara the responsibility of getting Saturday started. It’s a slot that demands energy, confidence and songs capable of dragging people away from their morning coffee, and the Manchester outfit have all three in abundance. Blending metalcore with huge melodies and an infectious sense of fun, they have quietly become one of the UK’s most exciting emerging heavy bands. If you’re making the trip to Radar on Saturday, do yourself a favour and get through those gates early. The first band of the day might just end up being one of the discoveries of the weekend. They play the Shure Stage at 1pm on Saturday. – VR
Protest The Hero
The world rejoiced at the return of Canadian prog-metal favourite sons (sorry Devin) who have been slowly fermenting a harmonious brew of technical wizardry. New LP Within sees them improve every facet of the band’s formula and the world feels better for having them back. Sure to be a celebratory set for the band who gave so much to modern progressive metal. The DNA still littered across the landscape satiating new bands in their influence and fans in their impact. Welcome back Protest The Hero. Get to the Obscure Clothing Stage at 5:20pm on Saturday. – AC
unpeople
The gold standard of UK alternative music right now. Inescapable in their presence and undeniable in their talent. unpeople are finally releasing one of the most anticipated rock albums in recent years as October 9th can’t arrive any sooner. The hallowed debut we are unpeople is certain to see them continue to ascend the festival bills until they reach the top of the mountain. Guaranteed to be the talk of the festival as their choruses burrow their way into your brain. They’re on the Shure Stage on Saturday at 8:20pm. – AC
Maebe
The newly released Brain Paint gathered plaudits aplenty for Maebe. A lightning-infused smash combo of instrumental magic and progressive pageantry to help shake off those early signs of melancholy. Radar Fest is the last stop of their summer tour in support of the album and in a world of diminished attention spans you will want to make sure you witness Maebe attempt to tame the wild horse of instrumental prog first thing on Sunday. Catch them Sunday, Shure Stage, at 1pm. – AC
Einar Solberg
Some performers don’t need an introduction, they simply need your attention. Whether fronting Leprous or stepping into the spotlight with his solo material, Einar Solberg has built a reputation as one of progressive music’s most captivating vocalists. His songs effortlessly shift between delicate reflection and soaring intensity, demanding as much emotionally as they do technically. If you only catch one set that asks you to stand still for 40 minutes and simply absorb what’s happening, make it this one. He’ll take to the Obscure Clothing Stage at 3:50pm on Sunday. – VR
Employed To Serve
Few British bands have earned their place quite like Employed To Serve. Years of relentless touring and consistently outstanding records have seen them grow from underground favourites into one of the country’s defining modern metal acts, all without sacrificing the intensity that got them there in the first place. Their live show is equal parts precision and violence, balancing massive hooks with riffs heavy enough to shake the barriers. If Radar has a set that feels almost guaranteed to deliver, this is probably it. Make sure you see them demolish the Shure Stage at 6:20pm, Sunday. – VR