Radar Festival continues to grow, now properly established at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, it gets bigger, better and more eclectic each time we visit.
2024 was almost a greatest hits, with a few returning acts from the Guilford days but also more breadth of performances that straddle the fringes of music as much as Arctangent or Damnation but bringing together bands that they and the more established metal festivals overlook.
There are very few places you could see Leprous and Tesseract mingle with Dirty Loops and The Midnight. Throw in a lot of djent, virtuoso instrumentalists, hardcore, metalcore and nu metal and there's plenty of music to discover.
As well as the music there's an extensive marketplace for anyone that wants gear, custom ear protection, magic the gathering and many other wonders. There's arcade machines, an ample outside area and LOTS of seating (pay attention other festivals). But of course being a music publication I bet you want to know about the music.
Friday 26.07.24
After a Thursday pre show from Stiff Bizkit (8) at Rebellion and a whole host of after parties at the same venue touted for this year. The classics such as Break Stuff and Rollin' set the mood for anyone that arrived early.
Friday properly began with Bristol heaviest Giant Walker (8) kicking off on Stage 2 (Sneak Energy Stage). The wailing vocals and cascading, psych riffs started Day 1 as it was going to continue. Very loud but bewitching, again huge shout out to the lighting and sound techs on both stages for some pretty much perfect sound and visuals.
Getting the mainstage (Neural Archetype Stage) moving were proggers The Intersphere (8), they head out on tour with Vola at the end of this year and there's a lot of similarities to the Danes as these Germans pair crushing some thick heavy riffs and shift towards atmospheric dreaminess. A triumphant opening to the main stage, The Intersphere impressed me on first viewing.
Then it was over to the second stage for Cestra (7) who was a solo artist with some dark industrial soundscapes, of Kate Bush came from The Other side (Stranger Things fans?) I'd assume this it what it would sound like.
With no clashes, unlike a lot of festivals you can see all the sets of every band but unfortunately things can happen that changes the run time. Earthside (7) for instance had a major issue with their stage and offstage sound. The songs that were supposed to feature vocals coming from tracks were only audible to the band, however as they are an instrumental unit anyway it didn't effect the flow too much. Excellent use of keytar too.
A little break to take a stroll sound tracked by the classical acoustic playing of Ichika Nito (7) was what was needed after this initial run of acts. His playing is beautiful and held the mainstage encapsulated but it was Vola (8) who followed that I was looking forward to the most. Playing Alien Shimmer alongside some older heavier tracks and stuff from the recent album, the lack of Ruby Pool was personally a loss but Vola are a band who I could see again and again, the foursome managing to meld djent riffs, layered atmospherics and vocals that have so much soul.
Vocals was something that wasn't missed when Plini (8) once again took to the stage, the virtuoso is rightly revered as a God in these circles so he gained a huge crowd, his super talented band behind him all maestro's in their own way. With a large catalogue behind him it was time once again to just stand there and immerse yourself on Plini's ethereal playing and dexterity.
Those that wanted something a bit more active went over to the second stage for modern metalcore heroes Caskets (8). Taking the stage with confidence and a huge amount of experience, the Leeds based band brought the noise back, meaning that all the dudes in stringer vests could throw down to the massive breakdowns but sing along to the huge hooks. Having had numerous high profile supports they're a slick live act and kept the energy to close the second stage in muscular fashion.
The mainstage though fired up the Delorean for the most 80's thing I've seen this side of David Hasselhoff. American synthwave duo The Midnight (9). Formed by Tyler Lyle (lead vocals/guitar/synths) and Tim McEwan (synths/percussion/producer) they are a fully fledged band featuring Leila Broussard (guitar/bass/synth/vocals), Royce Whittaker (guitar/synths) Kwesi Robinson (percussion) but the MVP of the whole band is Justin Klunk who's saxophone plays most of the solos in the band.
While I was watching them I realised that Tyler's vocals are quite similar to The Killers' Brandon Flowers, soulful and with a country twang, they seem timeless, especially when duetting with Leila, these moments making them appear to the untrained ear like they may be a modern country outfit but then the pulsing Amiga synths conjuer imagery of a Ferrari Testarossa cruising down an empty Bayside road at dusk.
They thump and shimmer against the rock rhythms, most just anticipating that excellent sax. Few bands encapsulate the feeling of Friday night than The Midnight, providing smiles all round to close the first full day.
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