Manchester’s Radar Festival is three full days of experimental, intricate, diverse music, which take place this year between July 26 -28 at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse. It;s headlined by TesseracT, Leprous and The Midnight and also features appearances from prog staples such as VOLA, Plini and Earthside.

Having grown up in Guildford before expanding and making the move up north, Radar has plenty to offer over the last weekend in July. Not only has it grown in size, but also in its offerings, now hosting multiple masterclasses daily, an arcade gaming and tabletop games area, music market with plentiful merch and gear, and on-site food and drink. It’s everything a music nerd could ever want or need, all under the huge roof of the Warehouse. 

Of course, what we’re all here for is the festival’s lineup, and we’ve put together five of the most unmissable acts that you’d be a fool to skip out on. 

DIRTY LOOPS

If you’ve been searching your whole life for a proggy, poppy, deeply remastered version of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, make sure to watch Dirty Loops subheadline the main stage on Saturday July 27. Having played at Radar in 2022, Dirty Loops remain one of the most recommended acts from the weekend, with the entire venue jumping, singing, and enjoying the Swedish band. Henrik Linder will be running a bass masterclass over the weekend too, so you can grab some groovy techniques to take home. 

THE OMNIFIC

The Omnific transcend the confines of genres entirely, mixing elements of metal, jazz, funk, and even classical music into their sound. The basslines will reverberate throughout your entire body, and the complex riffs are a sight to behold. If you’re a fan of the likes of Polyphia and Unprocessed, Australians The Omnific are not to be missed when they play the Neural Archetype stage on Sunday July 28.

ICHIKA NITO

Where other bands on the lineup prefer to throw all of their sound in your face at once, Ichika Nito slowly teases it until it crescendos into a spectacle. Each melody Ichika Nito creates is deep, emotive, and captivating, but it’s his use of texture that’s truly mindblowing. Using a combination of strumming, finger picking, and tapping, Ichika Nito creates a multilayered soundscape that’s an absolute delight to witness. He’ll play on the Neural Archetype stage on Friday  July 26.

VOWER

Made up of ex-Palm Reader vocalist Josh Mckeown, Toska’s Rabea Massaad, Black Peaks’ Joe Gosney and Liam Kearley, and bassist Rory McLean, Vower are a new collective hellbent on showcasing all of the best elements of their former bands. Josh Mckeown’s soaring vocals featured intermittently on Palm Reader releases, having formerly been pushed to the sideline to make room for his more aggressive shouting style. Now though, Vower move away from the full-throttle approach slightly to allow their music to breathe. Odd time signatures are interlaced with thundering drums and surprisingly funky basslines, while the choruses are so catchy you’ll be singing them in your sleep. Vower play on the Sneak Energy stage on Friday July 26.

CONJUROR

Conjurer are basically heavy prog royalty at this point. Their intense live show is full of sludgy prog that meddles with death metal when it suits. Presenting as a full-scale assault on the senses, Conjurer are experts at knowing when their audience needs a moment to breathe, filling those brief interludes with ethereal melodies. Don’t let them lull you into a false sense of security though, as Conjurer are known for getting up close and personal with the crowd, diving into pits headfirst without missing a beat. If you’re looking for an emotive yet brutal, solemn yet extreme time, make sure to catch Conjurer headlining the Sneak Energy stage on Friday July 26.

There are plenty more bands we could gladly recommend for this year’s installment of Radar Festival, but why not grab a ticket and see for yourself? With afterparties from “geezercore” collective Pintglass, Manchester’s own metallers Forager, the Limp Bizkit tribute your mum warned you about, Stiff Bizkit, and drum and bass extraordinaire Venjent, there’s something for all tastes across the weekend. Radar is also the first festival to donate a percentage of its ticket sales to the Music Venue Trust, which supports grassroots music venues across the UK, so you can enjoy your proggy goodness with a clear conscience.

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Norwegian prog rockers Leprous have been announced as the final headline act for this year's Radar Festival, the modern prog, post- and math-rock festival, which take place at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse from July 26-8.

The band will perform a special real-time song request set, a UK-first according to organisers. Leprous join fellow headliners TesseracT and The Midnight, atop a prog-friendly bill that also features US prog quartet Earthside, synth proggers Kyros, Hail The Sun, and new supergroup Vower (featuring members of Toska, Black Peaks, and Palm Reader), Danish/Swedish prog rockers VOLA, Australian prog guitar whiz Plini, fellow Aussie  trio The Omnific and Swedish prog fusioneers Dirty Loops.

"We’re delighted to announce the return of Radar alumni, Leprous, to our bigger Manchester stage after they headlined Guildford in 2022," says festival co-organiser Joe James. "They’re a band I have always been exceptionally fond of, so to have them return and play a special fan interactive set is a proud moment. 

"It’s taken a little longer than we wanted, but we’re super happy to have day splits out there. We’ve got three final acts still to announce, so stay tuned for that! Next up we’ll be announcing the masterclass programme. Roll on July!"

Radar recently announced a new partnership with the Music Venue Trust which will see it become the first festival to donate ticket sales proceeds to MVT, to support grassroots music venues.

A percentage of every ticket sold for his year's Radar Festival will support the MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund whic has thus fard has awarded more than £260,000 to 61 UK grassroots music venues since it was founded in 2022.

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UK prog metal quintet TesseracT have been announced as the Saturday headline act Radar Festival, the modern prog, post- and math-rock festival, which take place at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse from July 26-8.

Also announced are US prog quartet Earthside, synth proggers Kyros, Hail The Sun, and new supergroup Vower (featuring members of Toska, Black Peaks, and Palm Reader), among others.

They join a bill that also Danish/Swedish prog rockers VOLA, Australian prog guitar whiz Plini, fellow Aussie  trio The Omnific and Swedish prog fusioneers Dirty Loops.

"Our second headliners are pioneers of the modern prog scene, TesseracT," enthuses co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith. "This announcement is a little closer to home for me personally, as I met the band in 2010 when they first started playing at my own venue, The Lounge Bar in Alton. They instantly stood out as exceptional artists and through that friendship, I’ve stood at the sides watching the stage sizes and fans increase steadily since, looking forward to the day returning when we can collaborate on a show again. Together, we’ve been working on an immersive experience for Radar, this will be something special and not to be missed!"

Radar recently announced a new partnership with the Music Venue Trust which will see it become the first festival to donate ticket sales proceeds to MVT, to support grassroots music venues.

A percentage of every ticket sold for his year's Radar Festival will support the MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund whic has thus fard has awarded more than £260,000 to 61 UK grassroots music venues since it was founded in 2022.

Get tickets.

Radar Festival, the modern prog, post- and math-rock festival, has announced a brand new partnership with the Music Venue Trust which will see it become the first festival to donate ticket sales proceeds to MVT, to support grassroots music venues.

A percentage of every ticket sold for his year's Radar Festival will support the MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund whic has thus fard has awarded more than £260,000 to 61 UK grassroots music venues since it was founded in 2022.

The announcement follows renewed calls from the Trust for a ticket levy on all major stadium and arena gigs to support the grassroots, in the wake of the news that 16% (125) of UK grassroots music venues were lost in the last 12 months, with 38% of all UK grassroots music venues posting a financial loss.

"I’ve seen the journey in my own venue of young artists playing for the first time and stepping onto a small stage that they know has previously hosted artists that they admire and want to emulate" says Co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith, who also owns The Lounge Bar in Alton. "Time and again I’ve watched these nervous artists blossom in confidence, ability and stature within the scene, waiting to be discovered by the masses. When that happens, they know how to interact with a crowd, how to control a room, pace their set and perform to the best of their abilities.

"These are all crafts that you can only develop with a small, raw audience that the grassroots music scene cultivates every night up and down the country. If we don’t protect the smaller venues then there isn’t a pipeline for the next headliners, and this ticking time bomb is something that the music industry can, and must, take action on."

"Many of the crew working at Radar - lighting and sound engineers, stage and production managers, merchandise sellers and more - gained first-hand experience at grassroots venues," adds Radar co-organiser Joe James, former events manager at The Boileroom in Guildford added. "As well as nurturing artists these training grounds support the whole talent ecosystem.”
 
"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Radar Festival, for taking this bold step as the first festival to champion the Pipeline Investment Fund," says MVT CEO and founder Mark Davyd. "Their support is a strong commitment to the heart and soul of the UK's music scene, nurturing its roots through the vital network of Grassroots Music Venues."

This year's event takes place at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse from July 26-8 and among others features Danish/Swedish prog rockers VOLA, Australian prog guitar whiz Plini, fellow Aussie  trio The Omnific and Swedish prog fusioneers Dirty Loops.

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Radar Festival 2023 is almost upon us - tomorrow, in fact, with headline sets from Sleep Token, Igorrr and Periphery, and a host of quality prog and post-rock on offer all weekend from the likes of Haken, Caligula's Horse, God Is An Astronaut, Exploring Birdsong, Wheel, Long Distance Calling and loads more.

This is Radar's third year. It's now an Award-winning event and growing in stature all the time. Prog Magazine is proud to sponsor the main stage at the event, and our team of reviewers are already making their way towards Manchester. Hopefully well see some of you there...

Haken's set celebrating the tenth anniversary of The Mountain

UK prog rockers Haken have recently been touring their mighty fine new album Fauna. But for this year's Radar Festival the band will celebrate the tenth anniversary of 2013's The Mountain, their first for InsideOut Music. The album proved to a a big hit with prog fans, thanks on no small part to the inclusion of their perennial fan fave The Cockroach King. Seeing the band perform the album, with a good decade of buiding on their stage craft under their belts should be something to behold.

The New Venue

This year Radar has upped sticks from Guildford to Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, a large music venue that on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Old Trafford. Fitting really, as Radar Festival picked up the Best New Festival Award and the UK Festival Awards on December 6, 2022 in Manchester!

The Vibe

Just have a look at the video above! Given Radar Festival's positioning as champions of new prog, prog metal and noisier fare as well, the event attracts a younger crowd. On the one hand, this is great because it shows that interest in rock music that doesn't conform to orthodox songwriting is alive and well with younger people. On the other it'd be great for Prog to see some of the older readers down there too. Remember, this is the future of progressive music...

Musician Masterclasses

It's not just about the live music either. Radar, like many modern festivals, is an all-encompassing event and this year there will be a full programme of music masterclasses from the likes of Periphery, who will be presenting a full-band display, John Browne and Mike Malyan of UK prog metallers Monuments, Unprocessed's Manuel Gardner Fernandes and Olly Steel. All masterclasses will be hosted by Kaan Tasan of Heart Of A Coward. Radar has also teamed up with the Musicians' Union to offer a free masterclass with a focus on helping artists (3pm, July 30).

Shattered Skies Farewell Set

Obviously we're not glad that Anglo-Irish prog metallers Shattered Skies are saying goodbye with a farewell set at this year's festival, but it promises to be quite the occasion. Prog Magazine has long been fans of the London-based prog metallers from Wicklow/Dublin, ever since we hear their debut EP Reanimation back in 2012 to be honest, so while we're incredibly sad to see them go, we'll be right down the front for this one!

Tickets are still available here.

Radar Festival, the UK's new progressive music festival, has announced its final run of bands for this year's event including Australian prog rockers Caligula's Horse, post-rocker A.A. Williams, Anglo-Irish prog metallers Shattered Skies, who will be performing a farewell show, and French avant-garde prog metallers Hypno5e.

They've also announced Saturday headliners Igorrr and, as a UK Festival Exclusive, Australian metalcore band Thornhill, US mathcore legends Car Bomb, and rising homegrown talent in the forms of Heriot, Dream State, Lake Malice, and Pupil Slicer.

They join a bill that includes UK prog rockers Haken, performing a special ten-year anniversary set of their album The Mountain, US prog metallers  Periphery, Sleep Token, Monuments, German post-rockers Long Distance Calling, Greek prog rockers Playgrounded, colourful German prog metallers Unprocessed and guitarists Owane and Jack Gardiner.

"Radar Festival is fully booked and we can let you in on a little secret: we have confirmed our first 2024 headliner, and are already working on the other two. More news on all that soon," says Festival co-organiser Joe James. "We are in the finishing straight now, and cannot wait until Radar Festival 2023. Tickets are selling fast and hotels are booking up, so act now to avoid disappointment!"

Radar Festival will take place at Manchester's Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse from July 28-30 next year, having moved from its original home in Guildford.

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Current music sensations Sleep Token have been announced as the Friday night headline act for this year's Radar Festival, with UK melodic prog trio Exploring Birdsong and Irish post-rock quartet God Is An Astronaut.

Anglo Finnish prog metal quartet Wheel and UK prog metal quartet Monuments have also been announced.

They join a bill that also features UK prog rockers Haken (performing a special ten-year anniversary set of their album The Mountain), US prog metallers Periphery, German post-rockers Long Distance Calling, Greek prog rockers Playgrounded, colourful German prog metallers Unprocessed and guitarists Owane and Jack Gardiner among others.

"This summer is going to be so special: we have brought together inspiring bands and outstanding musicians together in the vibrant city that we now call home, Manchester," says co-organiser Ash Cook. "The last few weeks of winning Best New Festival, a venue move, and confirming this next wave of acts has left me proud and excited to be working with our team to produce another outstanding event.

"When I like a band, I really get sucked into all elements of their music. It’s been a pleasure getting to do that with some fantastic rising stars among our line-up, as well as reacquainting myself with memorable moments from incredible albums from the more established acts that we’re bringing over.

"Periphery and Volumes are both favourites, and Sleep Token blew me away with their show last week. We're excited to see what you all think – and I can’t wait!"

Radar Festival, the UK's new progressive music festival, will take place at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester from July 28-30, 2023, having moved from its original home in Guildford.

Early bird tickets are now sold out. Weekend and day tickets are now available.

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