RADAR Festival has announced the final headliners for its 2026 edition, confirming that Skindred and Thy Art Is Murder will top the bill at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse. The award-winning progressive music festival is set to take place from 31st July to 2nd August 2026.
Welsh ragga-metal legends Skindred have been confirmed as the Saturday night headliners, promising to bring their renowned “Newport Helicopter” energy to the warehouse. They are joined by Australian deathcore heavyweights Thy Art Is Murder, who will headline Friday night in a UK festival exclusive performance.
The organisers have described Friday’s scheduling as RADAR’s “heaviest ever day,” further bolstered by the addition of Chelsea Grin. The American deathcore outfit will play a UK festival exclusive set in main support. Sunday also sees a significant addition with the emotional return of Australian progressive metal band Voyager, marking another UK exclusive for the weekend.
These major additions join the previously announced Animals As Leaders, who hold the third headline slot in a UK festival exclusive. Other acts already confirmed for the weekend include Northlane, The Pineapple Thief, and Protest The Hero.
Catherine Jackson-Smith, co-founder and co-organiser of RADAR, commented on the lineup completion: “RADAR 2026 was already a powder keg and now Skindred are the lit match we’ve all been waiting for. One of the most electrifying live bands of the UK scene, they bring unfiltered energy and cheerful mayhem to Manchester and guarantee chaos for your Saturday night entertainment.
“Joining them, Thy Art Is Murder turn up the intensity. This is going to be heavy as all hell and a day that will be as brutal as it is memorable. Chelsea Grin bring their sharpened edges to the stage for a set that has been requested since we began RADAR, and because we love mixing it up, we’re also presenting the heroic Voyager on the same line-up for a masterclass in melody, colour and prog energy.”
Alongside the headline news, the festival has added a wave of new talent including Vianova, Graphic Nature, Pintglass, Ghost Iris, and CLT DRP. The announcement also includes Royal Sorrow, Sixth Wonder, Rozemary, and Maebe, continuing the festival’s tradition of blending established international acts with rising stars.
Beyond the music, the festival will see the return of its popular music and gaming market. Attendees can expect a retro arcade, music tech demonstrations, and masterclasses. The event will also continue its charitable work, donating a portion of ticket sales to the Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene’s Liveline Fund to support grassroots venues.
The full RADAR Festival 2026 lineup so far includes:
- Animals As Leaders (UK festival exclusive)
- Skindred
- Thy Art Is Murder (UK festival exclusive)
- Northlane
- Protest The Hero (UK festival exclusive)
- Voyager (UK festival exclusive)
- Chelsea Grin (UK festival exclusive)
- The Pineapple Thief
- unpeople
- Graphic Nature
- Vianova
- Ten56.
- Pintglass
- Ghost Iris
- CLT DRP
- Siamese
- Sheoru
- Heart Of A Coward
- Employed To Serve
- Cage Fight
- Elwood Stray
- Hacktivist
- Black Gold
- Royal Sorrow
- Dali
- Ihlo
- Benthos
- Seething Akira
- Rozemary
- Luna Kills
- Maebe
- Eville
- Dacara
Tickets for RADAR Festival 2026 are available now via the official festival website.
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