Sunday

The final day commences, and although there has been some hiccups in the form of bands dropping out (Oxymorrons and Siamese), this was fixed instantly with replacement acts Mike Dawese and Pintglass. Pintglass, who stepped up to the task having only performed the afterparty the night prior. Rock-influenced metalcore quintet, Ashen were first to take to the main stage. Displaying an eclectic mix of melodic metalcore tracks, with giant choruses. Whilst having only visited the UK once for their last tour, the French band were determined to leave a mark, performing a unique cover of Nirvana’s iconic single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” getting the early bird crowds to sing in unison, with Ashen’s frontman Clem Richard, who put on one of the best vocal performances of the weekend.

Coming from Australia, on the Sneak stage, Future Static equally wowed the crowds similar to Ashen, with their own blend of metalcore. Lead vocalist Amariah Cook orchestrated the audience effortlessly, with the band putting on an incredible feat of metalcore prowess, anyone would think they’d been doing this for decades.

Friday wasn’t the only day to have instrumental bands, Sungazer and The Omnific also held the banner for the music, Sunday. Following on from Ashen, The Omnific went a completely different direction from their peers, creating a bass-intensive set that from the get-go inflicted pain on all those with hangovers and had the rest of the audience in awe of the power the 3 members held with such a minimal amount of instrumentation, before settling into a hypnotic groove for the rest of the set. There was no lull in the performance, the trio managed to create a performance where something was always going on.

Whilst The Omnific made a bold, chaotic statement on the festival’s main stage, Sungazer diverted all expectations, performing one of the more avant garde sets of the weekend. The band were the talk of the festival, and one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend going by anyone asked attending, and the band did not let anyone down. Their eclectic and idiosyncratic fusion jazz sound was memorising from the start, having the spectators transfixed from start to finish.

As mentioned earlier, the heroes Mike Dawes and Pintglass stepped up to the plate to perform 2 very opposite, but equally great performances. On first was acoustic guitar smith, Mike Dawes, who showcased a repertoire of finger-tapping instrumental covers of popular songs from the likes of Gotye and even previous Radar headline alumnus Sleep Token. Showing how much music can be created with a single acoustic guitar. 

What can be said about Pintglass? Adorned in Hi-Vis jackets and yelling out “Geeza” at every point possible to them, the band put on one of the most enjoyable sets, with hits ranging from an altered cover of “100 Miles” to the aptly named “100 Stellas,” the “Geeza Core” troupe had the sneak stage in a flux of mosh pits, circle pits and chants of “Geeza” right back at the band when commanded. This tongue-in-cheek performance was the respite and humour needed for the audiences to go into the final stages of the day’s events.

Blood Command took to the Sneak stage next, all dressed head-to-toe in Adidas. Vocalist Nikki Brumen took full advantage of the stage, using the front section of the stage as her self-proclaimed “catwalk.” The band were the definition of energy, playing the best of their own death-pop back catalogue. There wasn’t a single moment where a member of the band was still, all lost in the moment of the show and this mood was equally shared across the audience, bouncing up and down to the flow of their noise.

Holding Absence is the second leftfield choice for the festival to take to the main stage. For a lineup predominantly featuring more progressive and metal bands, the Welsh post-hardcore outfit seem to stick out on the lineup. However, through their sheer charisma and talent behind the band, the quartet pull it off as if it’s any other show on their tour. Lucas Woodland bounding about the stage like it’s his place to be. The band are relentless, hit after hit after hit they keep going, and the leftfield choice in Holding Absence has played out for the best as the audience are loving it. Members of the crowd going head over foot on top of the crowd, surfing as if it’s their duty. The band take full opportunity of the new audience to play a bountiful selection of their discography ranging from the newer songs like “A Crooked Melody” all the way back to their earlier album and EP works with “Birdcage” and “Wilt”. The Welsh band are the perfect breath of fresh air before the final headliners take to the 2 stages.

The first of the last headliners, Humanity’s Last Breath took to the stage, surrounded by the ominous introduction of their spine chilling opening track, “Väldet” before the band went all in. Crushing guitars and explosive drums fill the area, as the band go into “Tide” From there, the room descends into chaos. There are pits and crowd surfers across the audience, the band are in high form, just orchestrating this maelstrom of a pit as if it’s something they’ve been doing all their lives. Potentially the heaviest act of the weekend, however, with the classical interludes included in their music, there is some grandiosity to be found in their captivating display of raw aggression.

Returning to headline the festival once more since their showcase in 2022 is none other than the progressive metal giants, Leprous. Stepping onto the main stage, surrounded by a haze of smoke, this time, however, the band came on ready to take live requests. Before launching into the requests section of their show, the band dive headfirst into their regular performances of “Have You Ever?” and “The Price”, immediately answering how they’re able to headline with ease. Einar Solberg’s voice soaring cleanly over the meticulous sound of the instruments, the vocal range the man possesses live is staggering. Solberg addresses the audience, rather than it being a free-for-all, presents several options at a time to perform.

Whilst going through the requests, Solberg makes note of new touring member Harrison White on keys, stating that he had learned all of the available choices of songs in a very short span of time. This is not shown at all, as White backs up the band with his keys abilities, showing what an asset he makes to the band. Whilst the idea for the on-demand request slot seems like such a great idea leading up to the performance, the final song hits the issue of the audience wanting all of the available choices. After much deliberating, the audience finally sets their sights on one of the band’s biggest hits “Contaminate Me” which throws the audience into a frenzy, the band performing one of the most complex songs in their discography really lends itself to how special of a band Leprous are.  Closing the festival, Solberg and the other members thank the audience and the organisers, and depart from the stage, leaving an aura of wonder in their stead.

Despite some technical difficulties and artists dropping out short notice, Radar fest truly takes this all in their stride, providing one of the most eclectic and unique lineups of bands that the alternative scene has to offer. For what is still relatively a new festival, it really feels like it’s still on the up-and-up and the world is open for Radar to climb up. One thing for certain, July 2025 cannot come soon enough.

Tickets to Radar Festival 2025 are on sale now!
http://www.radarfestival.co.uk/tickets

Read part 1 here:

FESTIVAL REVIEW: Radar Festival 2024 – Part I Live at O2 Victoria Warehouse

WORDS BY CHARLIE HILL