Words by Gracie Hall
Tooth
Despite being one of the youngest and newest acts on the lineup, Tooth ease punters into the weekend with a blend of midwest emo and indie tunes. Drummer, Roy Lowe suspends every song with a tight and undeniable groove. Whilst Tooth get grouped in with fellow indie bands, Keo and Basht. They maintain an unmistakable influence from Outbreak alumini such as American Football and The Front Bottoms
Love Rarely
Love Rarely kicks off the second stage with an energetic set fronted by a commanding vocalist who effortlessly switches between clean singing and visceral screams. Their stop-start songwriting keep the crowd on edge, while huge guitar riffs anchor the chaos. Even a microphone cutting out can’t derail the momentum, with the frontwoman’s relentless spinning and infectious energy carrying the performance from start to finish.
Truck Violence
Truck Violence mix country and emo influences into something uniquely theatrical. While the cleaner vocals occasionally feel restrained, the harsher screams bring the songs to life. Constant movement from the bassist and guitarist keep the stage lively, matching the emotional intensity of the music.
Reclus.É
Featuring Soren from Tummyache, Reclus.É offer a heavier, more traditional rock-leaning set. Softer vocal passages quickly give way to harsher outbursts, while the band’s uncompromising attitude shine through both lyrically and sonically.
Thistle.
Thistle. absolutely smash their set. They tare through each song with confidence and intensity. The abrasive riffs of ‘City, name.’ highlight Thistle.’s ability to blend shoegaze textures and post hardcore angst in a way that pleases fans of the likes of Title Fight and Trauma Ray. Thistle. uses this set to showcase why they are one of the UK’s most exciting bands on the live circuit.
Lip Critic
Lip Critic’s unconventional setup, featuring two drummers, immediately stands out. Their frantic rhythms border on drum and bass, creating an exhilarating foundation for one of the weekend’s most unique and energetic performances. Every member brings relentless intensity to the stage.
Tummyache
At lead singer Soren’s second set of the day, Tummyache show their droning, crushing sound shifting between jazzy grooves, post-punk rhythms and towering walls of noise, with soaring reverbed vocals giving way to emotionally charged screams. Political statements opposing Trump, Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson while expressing solidarity with Palestine only heighten the sense of urgency. Ending the set by pulling the plug feels like the perfect conclusion.
Knives
Knives turn the second stage into complete chaos. Driven by explosive energy and an outstanding saxophone, the band barely stand still. The guitarist climbs onto the speakers before crowd surfing, mic stands fly, and the audience respond with relentless movement throughout. Knives are if Black Midi tried noise rock and it’s a beautiful amalgamation of the six members unique talents and obvious musical genius.
The Armed
The Armed’s organised chaos is unlike anything else at Outbreak. With countless members filling the stage, dual vocalists, saxophone, and musicians constantly disappearing into the crowd, it is impossible to know where to look. Stage invasions, crowd surfing guitarists and breathtaking performances from both vocalists make for a truly unforgettable spectacle.
Ecca Vandal
There are few artists across the weekend who command the stage quite like Ecca Vandal. Blending punk, hip-hop, alternative rock and flashes of ska, her set feels impossible to categorise yet completely cohesive. Armed with a microphone wrapped in brass knuckles, she stalks the stage with unrelenting confidence, matching razor-sharp vocals with boundless charisma.
Nothing
Nothing’s set provide a welcome change of pace, trading hardcore intensity for immersive walls of shimmering shoegaze. Dense layers of reverb-drenched guitars and understated vocals create a dreamlike atmosphere that washes over the main stage, with the band proving masters of texture and restraint
Fiddlehead
From the opening song, the crowd respond with unwavering enthusiasm, erupting into singalongs and eventually spilling onto the stage as the atmosphere reaches its peak. The band’s cathartic songwriting translate beautifully in a live setting, while frontman Pat Flynn refelcts on a lifelong love of music with a sincerity that only strengthens the connection between band and audience. It is a set built as much on emotion as aggression, and one that leaves a lasting mark on everyone.
Glixen
Despite a handful of technical difficulties, Glixen’s set remain utterly captivating. Their hazy blend of shoegaze and dream-pop fills the room with shimmering guitars and ethereal vocals that drift effortlessly above the dense instrumentation. At times the music feels almost ghostly, balancing beauty with an underlying sense of melancholy before giving way to moments of crushing distortion.
Trapped Under Ice
Trapped Under Ice deliver exactly the kind of uncompromising hardcore spectacle Outbreak was built for. The Baltimore veterans transform the venue into complete chaos, with every breakdown sparking violent pits, crowd surfers and constant movement from front to back. Creating an atmosphere that felt closer to a battlefield than a festival set.
Basement
Closing Outbreak, Basement deliver a set that felt equal parts celebration and catharsis. Combining melodic hardcore with alternative rock, the band move between crushing riffs and emotionally charged singalongs, with every lyric echoing back by a devoted crowd. Rather than relying on theatrics, Basement let the strength of their songs do the talking, creating a genuine connection that few bands over the weekend could match. As circle pits give way to moments of collective reflection, their performance serves as a reminder of why they remain one of the UK’s most beloved heavy bands.
I hang up my writer’s hat to personally join in on the beautiful mosh Basement are stirring. Crowdsurfing to ‘Bad Apple.’ will remain a core memory for me, as well as the hundreds of others who also swam across the crowd during the set.
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