RADAR Festival announce first wave of bands for 2026
RADAR Festival have announced the first wave of bands for their 2026 lineup!
Following a triumphant 2025 – against a backdrop of politically charged discourse – the award-winning, genre-busting festival will return next year with a stacked bill of progressive and heavy talent.
Leading the charge are ANIMALS AS LEADERS and THE PINEAPPLE THIEF, both confirmed as UK festival exclusives. They are joined by Australian titans NORTHLANE, the long-awaited comeback of Canadian progressive metal quintet PROTEST THE HERO (UK festival exclusive), and the return of hotly-tipped newcomers UNPEOPLE.
The full list of bands announced today is as follows:
- ANIMALS AS LEADERS (UK festival exclusive)
- THE PINEAPPLE THIEF (UK festival exclusive)
- NORTHLANE
- PROTEST THE HERO (UK festival exclusive)
- UNPEOPLE
- TEN56.
- SIAMESE
- HEART OF A COWARD
- EMPLOYED TO SERVE
- ELWOOD STRAY
- HACKTIVIST
- BLACK GOLD
- CAGE FIGHT
- DALI
- IHLO
- BENTHOS
- SEETHING AKIRA
- LUNA KILLS
- EVILLE
- DACARA
Speaking about the new announcement, festival co-founder and co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith shares, “ANIMALS AS LEADERS return to headline RADAR Festival 2026, marking a full-circle moment after leading our very first event back in 2019. We’ve both grown since then and a UK Festival Exclusive performance showing how far we’ve both come feels apt.
Joining them, NORTHLANE – the most requested band in RADAR’s history – finally take the stage for a long-awaited appearance fans have demanded since day one. Progressive icons THE PINEAPPLE THIEF also join as a UK Festival Exclusive, while PROTEST THE HERO finally return to UK shores and bring their infectious energy to Manchester for us.
They’re backed by a stacked lineup of heavy talent and rising stars: unpeople, TEN56., SIAMESE, HEART OF A COWARD, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, ELWOOD STRAY, HACKTIVIST, BLACKGOLD, CAGE FIGHT, DALI, IHLO, BENTHOS, SEETHING AKIRA, LUNA KILLS, EVILLE, and Manchester locals, DACARA.
Beyond the stages? Masterclasses, a music and gaming market, a vinyl shop, art gallery, coffee shop, and our no-clash schedule that lets you see it all.”
Alongside the acts announced, RADAR will continue its commitment to creating a musical and gaming paradise, featuring a retro arcade, cutting-edge instruments and music tech, and more. The festival will also donate a portion of ticket sales proceeds to Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene’s Liveline Fund, supporting grassroots music venues.
RADAR Festival will take place from July 31st – August 2nd 2026 at O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester. Tickets will be available from Friday, October 31st and can be purchased here.
For more information on RADAR Festival like their official page on Facebook.
