PREVIEW: Outbreak Festival 2024
This weekend, while much of the world's attention might be focused on the South West of England for an event in a certain farmer's field, those truly in the know will be turning their gaze towards the North West. Manchester is set to host some of the world's best hardcore and adjacent acts at this year's Outbreak Festival.
Since its inception in 2011, Outbreak Festival has earned a reputation as the go-to event for hardcore enthusiasts. While other festivals might head to the countryside in the summer sun, Outbreak stays true to its northern industrial roots, taking over The B.E.C. Arena in Manchester for what promises to be the sweatiest and loudest weekend of the year.
This year's line-up is one for the ages, featuring favourites old and new, such as Sweet Pill, American Football, and Basement. But Outbreak isn't just about the bands. The festival has expanded to include skateboarding, art and photography exhibitions, record and zine fairs, interactive installations, an independent marketplace, live podcasts, talks and panel discussions, and a selection of the best street food available. It also boasts some of the strongest merch around, with highlights from this year's collection including custom Outbreak Adidas Superstars and Outbreak-branded gum shields—something that might come in handy in case you get caught by a stray elbow in the pit.
Friday
JPEGMAFIA can be caught on Friday
Everything kicks off at Outbreak later today with a small but mighty lineup headlined by American rapper Action Bronson, who is joined by fellow hip-hop artists JPEGMAFIA, Flatbush Zombies, redveil, and Mavi. Adding to the diversity, the festival will also feature sets from indie rockers Beach Fossils and the experimental art-punk band The Garden.
Saturday
Balance and Composure feature on Sautday’s bill
If Friday served as the appetiser for the festival, then Saturday is the full-blown main course. The day is headlined by two iconic bands making their returns after a hiatus: Ipswich’s post-hardcore heroes Basement and American straight-edge hardcore legends Have Heart.
Elsewhere, it would be criminal to miss Touché Amoré, Balance and Composure, Poison The Well, Chat Pile, and Higher Power. Be sure to also check out Perp Walk, Stiff Meds, and Speedway, and take the time to experience all that Outbreak has to offer.
Sunday
Sunday sees Sweet Pill kick of their UK stint when the hit the Outbreak stage.
As we’re up north, Sunday is definitely pudding—and what a pudding it is! Imagine the most satisfying one you’ve ever had, then multiply that tenfold; it’s that good. Sunday’s line-up puts many of those at bigger festivals to shame, and if you’re fortunate enough to attend, you’re in for one of the best days of the year—or possibly your life. Headlining the day is American Football, and they’re not just doing any set; they’re bringing their full-blown LP1 25th Anniversary show to the Manchester stage. Anniversary and album shows are the order of the day, with Thursday performing a War All the Time vs Full Collapse set, Joyce Manor celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Never Hungover Again, and The Hotelier paying tribute to one of the previous decade’s best albums, their 2014 release Home, Like Noplace Is There. If you’re not in tears by the end of “Your Deep Rest,” we might have to question if we should really be friends.
Outside of those special sets, we urge you to catch some of our absolute favourites like Sweet Pill, who dropped one of this year’s best EPs, The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, Hot Mulligan, Soccer Mommy, Angel Du$t, and Fiddlehead. You should also check out the likes of Spite House, Wrong Man, and TikTok’s fave grunge meets nü-metal revivalists, Split Chain.
