Sleep Token, Exploring Birdsong and more announced for Radar Festival

Vessel of Sleep Token
(Image credit: Andy Ford)

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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Jerry Ewing

Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.