_edited.jpg)
Manchester's RADAR Festival is one of the youngest in the UK alt scene, but already has a solid core audience and this year's event did nothing to stop the growth of their ever-enlarging fanbase. Held at the Victoria Warehouse across the last weekend of July, we caught as many acts as we could!
Day one kicked off with a bang - having only released their debut EP at the start of the month, new progressive metal outfit Vower hardly struggle to gather a large excited crowd. As the track kicks in with a selection of harmonious ambient drones, drowning out the eager voices, Vower set off providing an enigmatic and memorable performance. Vocalist Josh McKeown (ex Palm Reader) hypnotises the audience with his masterful ability to switch between strong alluring cleans and powerful white-hot screams. It’s not surprising a band with such heritage within the post-hardcore and alternative metal scene manage to produce such an astonishing all-consuming sonic journey. If their subsidiary festival slot proves anything it’s that Vower are a force to be reckoned with.
Storming the stage, Thrown kick off their time on the Sneak Energy stage with an immediate punch to the gut. The Swedish heavyweights envelop the audience in a shroud of DnB followed closely by soaring pitch shifted guitars and blazing vocals from frontman Marcus Lundqvist. Wasting no time the band blast through their zealous set demanding attention with an enigmatic performance. While the crowd are already receptive to their offerings, forming a pit in the centre of the room at the first breakdown, Lundqvist continues to drive the room to move even more. Happy to oblige, a series of crowd-surfers make their way to the barrier while the pit grows larger with every track. Carnage from start to finish, Thrown provide a show like no other forging a connection with the audience through their compelling visceral experience.
Next on the Archetype stage, a flurry of lights and ambient drones consume the room as Plini enters. Greeting the audience with a warm smile, the self-taught Aussie instrumentalist begins his set of melodic, evolutionary, progressive instrumental metal. With his signature Strandberg, Plini takes the listener through an aural journey like no other. Featuring intricate melodic guitar work accompanied by technical drums and bass, each transition is smooth and flows between a variety of moods. From soft ambient jazz to fierce dramatic rock peaks, the band effortlessly flows through different genres and time-signatures. Unfortunately cut short due to a late start, the audience display their support with a deafening applause.
Friday headliners The Midnight showcase exactly what RADAR is about: diversity, inclusivity and equality. Armed with their impressive collection of 80’s-inspired synthwave ballads, the retro pop quintet adorn a series of purple hues as they open with the intrinsic Neon Medusa. Any questions as to why this band is headlining are quickly answered, a mutual agreement from the crowd in the form of roaring voices and ginormous applause. An intelligent and unique listening experience, The Midnight bring a nostalgic yet futuristic twist within their composition that is fresh and authentic.
Day two of RADAR festival saw London metalcore five-piece Ithaca drown out the audience in an instant. Illuminating the stage in a sea of red, the heavy metal outfit barrage the crowd with an eclectic mix of intricate and abrasive guitars. Fused with the powerful, enraged vocals of frontwoman Djamila who prowls the area staring into the crowd with an unrelenting gaze, adamant to lure in each member of the crowd and succeeding. Although faced with technical issues, this did not deter the quintet. Without a moment's hesitation the band continue to drive the crowd into a frenzy, blitzing through the rest of their set mercilessly, leaving no room for dissent.
Later in the day jazz-infused trio Dirty Loops provided a set of insanely unique, experimental disco inspired music. Equipped with an arsenal of pop classic covers with Lady Gaga’s Just Dance and a couple of Bieber tracks, the trio artfully transform the songs into modern progressive dance hits that are a welcome change from the short burst of heavier bands. Bass extraordinaire Henrik is a mastermind of complex melodies, flawlessly moving between intricate rhythms while vocalist and pianist Jonah glides effortlessly alongside. This already insane talent layered with the technical prowess of drummer Aron creates an innovative, original sound that is unparalleled.
As the last day commences, it is announced that unfortunately Siamese will no longer be able to attend and a secret set will now take place on the second stage. Any speculation is soon put to bed with a quick glance at the fluorescent yellow addition to the merch stand.
Second to grace the Sneak Energy stage, progressive metal outfit Adharma supply a wall of sound from start to finish. Vocalist Charlie Draper’s bright alluring vocals blended expertly with the crushing instrumentation makes Adharma a fresh and exciting musical adventure with a very important and authentic message.
Pulling a double shift, the surprise set of the day came from self-proclaimed ‘Geezacore’ nutcases Pintglass. Having played a frenzied after-party the night before, the high-vis clad group waste no time in introducing themselves to the boisterous crowd. Amping up the energy by the minute, frontmen Angus Roberston and Ben Mason’s chemistry is unmatched as they herd the crowd into a sizable circle pit. Crushing and unrelenting, Pintglass are a hybrid of contemporary satire and conventional hardcore. Combining old with new, this boisterous bunch are carving their own path within the hardcore scene.
The penultimate main stage set comes from Cardiff’s own post-hardcore royalty Holding Absence. Opening with the deeply emotional Like a Shadow, Lucas Woodland's vocal ability is nothing short of phenomenal. There is an indisputable fluidity within Woodland's performance that is backed by the prodigious instrumentation from Carey, Elliott and Green. Closing with ethereal, melancholic ballad Wilt, there is a feeling of warmth that surges throughout the room. As the Welsh quartet draw to a close with a final epic chorus, the audience members begin to disappear in a sea of limbs. Confirming that even within such a diverse bill for this year's event, Holding Absence are unrivalled performers that are a delightful interjection of soaring energy to any line-up.
RADAR festival has yet again proven itself as an exceptional weekend of music, with an extensive catalogue of entertainment outside of the typical festival activities. The sense of community at this festival is unmatched, and with any luck it will keep riding this high and getting better every year.
Words: Soph Payton
Photos: Heather Patterson
Comments