Radar Festival, Manchester 2025 (Day 2): The Review

Day two of Radar 2025 brought the grit, the grind, and the unexpected glow-ups. From surprise main stage debuts to pit-ready chaos and emotional onslaughts, Saturday was a full-blown show of force from some of the scene’s most exciting climbers. Friday threw the first punches, and Saturday came back swinging even harder.

Break Fifty

Newcomers to the festival, Break Fifty stepped in to open the Sneak Energy Stage with confidence, performing like they’d been queued for that slot the whole time. Self-described as nu-core, the band delivered a blistering 30-minute set that fused the bounce and attitude of nu-metal with the aggression of metalcore and the rawness of hardcore. It was a high-energy statement of intent; tight, chaotic, and unapologetically heavy. If anyone missed it, they missed a real highlight of the day.

VMBRA

VMBRA well and truly brought the prog to Radar. Originally scheduled to open the Sneak Energy Stage, these fast-rising standouts were bumped up to the Kerrang! Stage opener with just a few hours’ notice; a serious step-up, and one they handled like seasoned pros. Their set was tight, atmospheric, and packed with precision, proving without a doubt that they deserved that bigger spotlight. If anyone still had VMBRA on their “one to watch” list, they’ve surely graduated beyond that now.

Pintglass

What’s your trade? For Pintglass, it’s bringing equal parts filthy riffs and unfiltered fun to every stage they storm, and their set at Radar Festival was no exception. Packed to the brim with hardcore swagger, beatdowns, and tongue-in-cheek banter, their performance was a riot from start to finish. Geezer core is truly becoming a force to be reckoned with, and Pintglass are proudly leading the charge with pints raised and middle fingers high.

Photo Credit:
Nathan Roach

Oceans Ate Alaska

Technical? Yes. Brutal? Without question. Oceans Ate Alaska brought a full-throttle blast of modern metalcore to the main stage, and the crowd met it with open arms (and flailing limbs). With crushing breakdowns, soaring choruses, and that signature UK grit, their set landed blow after blow with ease. The energy never dipped, from old favourites to newer material, everything landed with purpose and precision. Whether you came for the chaos or the catharsis, they delivered both in spades. A proper stormer of a set that proved their place on that stage was well-earned.

Annisokay

Annisokay took things to a more genre-bending side of metalcore. They brought big melodies, clean choruses, and enough bounce to keep the crowd moving. Their post-hardcore-meets-electronic vibe gave Saturday a splash of sleekness, the kind of set where you find yourself accidentally singing along by the second chorus. The German crew absolutely know their way around a hook, and their energy was infectious without being overblown. Their set balanced punch and polish in all the right ways.

Photo Credit:
Charlie Bluck

Normandie

Normandie closed out the main stage with a performance that felt less like a last-minute substitution and more like a headline-worthy statement. Called up to fill a sudden gap, they owned that slot with emotional intensity and sheer presence. Despite initial distrust of whether they could fill the boots left behind, the crowd was hooked from the first moment, singing along to anthems like ‘Hostage’ and ‘Babylon’ with genuine passion. Their brand of post-hardcore blends heartfelt lyrics with soaring melodies and punchy riffs, creating moments that felt both cathartic and energising. Frontman Josh Smith’s commanding stage presence and vocal range kept the energy riding high, while the band’s tight musicianship ensured every breakdown hit hard. It wasn’t just a replacement set; it was a full-on connection with the crowd, an honest, raw, and unmissable moment that turned what should have been a challenge into one of the day’s defining highlights. Normandie proved that sometimes the best performances come from seizing the unexpected.

If Friday was the party, Saturday was the proving ground. From Break Fifty’s breakout to Normandie‘s triumphant close, it was a day owned by the climbers and curveballs. With stage swaps, surprise upgrades, and no shortage of pit-starting power, Saturday didn’t just meet expectations, it beat them bloody and broken.

Photo Credit:
Nathan Roach

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