RADAR Festival announce Animals As Leaders, The Pineapple Thief, Northlane, Protest The Hero and more

RADAR Festival 2026 has announced its first wave of bands.

The Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse heavy celebration – which takes place from July 31 to August 2, 2026 – will feature UK festival exclusive appearances from Animals As Leaders, The Pineapple Thief and Protest The Hero, while elsewhere the rest of the bill is comprised of the likes of Northlane, unpeople, ten56., Siamese, Heart Of A Coward, Employed To Serve and loads more.

“Animals As Leaders return to headline RADAR Festival 2026, marking a full-circle moment after leading our very first event back in 2019,” announces festival co-founder/co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith. “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 line-up 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.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 31 from 10am.

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• Why you need unpeople in your life: “I’ve never been scared that a crowd is gonna hate us”
• Employed To Serve: “There’s nothing more powerful than heavy metal”