PREVIEW: OUTBREAK FESTIVAL 2023
After a phenomenal festival last year, Outbreak Fest has decided to evolve not only venue-wise but music-wise as well, featuring an eclectic lineup throughout all three days it will be running.
To say last year’s 10 Year Anniversary event for Outbreak Fest was a success is an understatement. Hosted in Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Trafford it reached brand new heights, as 5000 people gathered to witness the largest no-barrier shows that Manchester has ever seen. Following the fantastic lineup comprising of hardcore and post-hardcore heavyweights the likes of Knocked Loose, Turnstile, and Touche Amore, the question lingering in most attendants’ brains was how something like this would be able to be topped.
In what can be considered a very bold move moving forward into festival season 2023, Outbreak has decided to upgrade venues to Mayfield Depot, home of the infamous Warehouse Project events, as well has provide their audience with a mixture of hardcore and hip hop. Taking place from June 23rd -June 25th, the festival will host a multitude of well-known and niche artists within the industry, while keeping their identity intact, with the feature of the well-received and intense no-barrier policy.
The Friday will consist of a more traditional hardcore lineup, With Converge and Bane headlining the main stage, alongside upcoming bands within the scene not limited to but including Koyo, Fleshwater, Sunami, SPY, Pain of Truth, Demonstration of Power, and No Pressure. Split between two stages, it will most likely be the heaviest out of the three days.
Saturday features a balanced mix between hardcore and hip hop, with underground legends Death Grips headlining the main stage. Highlights of the day come with Code Orange, Machine Girl, Jesus Piece, Mike, Scowl, and Wu-Lu. With a handful of acts on each stage each day, it provides a concise setlist that packs a punch.
Sunday marks the close of the festival, with hip-hop heavyweight Denzel Curry taking to the main stage to provide an energetic live show, with highlights Earl Sweatshirt, Trapped Under Ice, Loathe, and Lord Apex accompanying them throughout the day.
Alongside this, attendees will be able to partake in multiple activities throughout the day, as the festival has a skatepark, record fair, numerous stalls that provide an exciting variety of vegan-friendly food, a live podcast stage, an art exhibition, and a free haircut stand courtesy of Uppercut Deluxe.
In conclusion, this year’s Outbreak festival seems to be experimenting with its sonic identity, expanding, and evolving into new territories while keeping the hardcore energy and nature intact at the same time. It will definitely be one of the more interesting festivals to watch in future weeks.