Whether showcasing pioneering veteran acts from across the ocean or introducing new-generation genre innovators from the British Isles, Outbreak offers a space for all. On what was expected to be a stormy day, the hardcore festival celebrated its first-ever London edition at Victoria Park on Friday, coinciding with the hottest day of the year. Under the LIDO banner, it set the tone for Brat Summer festivities, leading into Charli XCX's electronica 'PARTYGIRL' takeover the following day. Meanwhile, Manchester’s BEC Arena simultaneously hosted Outbreak’s crowd-surfing activities that weekend. The reason behind this expansion is hard to pinpoint, especially when compared to its humble origins at Sheffield’s small-cap Broomhall Centre in 2011. However, the diverse festival lineup and attendance indicate a growing interest in hardcore and its interconnected global communities from a wide range of demographics.
---
Danny Brown’s explosive punk rap exuded a sense of triumph, while Denzel Curry delivered an energetic SoundCloud rap performance. Model/Actriz, led by frontman Cole Haden, also brought a fervor for post-punk anthems centered around queer desire. Indie rock heavyweight Alex G, whose sound starkly contrasts SPEED’s fast Australian hardcore, appeared to captivate some new fans sporting metal tees and combat boots. Also returning was US pop-hardcore fusion band Turnstile, following their headlining appearance at Outbreak 2022. Fresh from the release of their highly relevant new album ‘NEVER ENOUGH’, frontman Brendan Yates and the band concluded night one as a light rain fell over the throbbing mosh pits filled with around 15,000 attendees—a significant increase from their previous crowd of 5,000.
---
Launching Outbreak London were Kumo 99, a duo from LA comprising Ami Komai and Nate Donmoyer, whose intense and fast-paced sound defies categorization. Performing at Stage 2, their set evoked early Prodigy vibes, warmly welcoming a youthful crowd of festival-goers with enthusiastic shrieks (in Japanese!), ahead of their performance at Outbreak’s official Colour Factory after party. It's no surprise that an open invitation to their dressing room revealed their admiration for ‘The Fat of The Land’ and ‘Music for the Jilted Generation’—key albums for ravers—alongside influences like Jarvis Cocker and Oasis. "I resonate more with Simon Reynolds' take on hardcore, which encompasses anything fast and downhill, jungle, breakbeat; that kind of experience," Nate mentioned to Clash.
---
With an unwavering commitment to creating new music and rooted in the LA punk scene, Ami elaborated on Kumo 99’s genre fluidity. “Many people with hardcore band backgrounds have transitioned into electronic music, like Cold Cave and American Nightmare,” she noted. “I appreciate that everyone can expand and not be confined to one genre. I always feel pretty accepted. We’ve played Coachella and Sound and Fury in LA; generally, we feel so grateful to share stages with many friends like Fury and Fiddlehead. Hardcore is about friendship and community.”
---
Opening the Main Stage in the sweltering heat was Mudi Sama, marking his second festival performance after The Great Escape in Brighton, and his eighth overall. With influences from 90s Britpop and grunge, the British-born, Nigerian-raised artist represents a new wave of alt indie music. Eager to catch Momma and julie, his outfit—a camo dad cap and "MUM" shirt—oozed Cool Britannia. His vibrant setlist of heartfelt tracks—such as ‘Pretty Soon’—highlighted indie pop guitar riffs and rhythms, standing apart from the hardcore acts to follow.
“My pre-show ritual involves watching Bloc Party at Glastonbury 2009, and then some Dominic Fike performances,” Mudi shared. “It's surreal to be part of this scene, but I would love to see more black acts on stage, as well as more emerging artists regardless of race.” He mentioned Master Peace and Bakar, two contemporaries shaping the evolving identity of British indie music. “In indie music, there’s not much representation for black artists. As a black artist, I want to see that more in the future. It can feel like a double-edged sword, but I’m proud to be in this position. I just want to be a beacon, a source of light.”
---
There’s a clear demand for ongoing evolution in the festival lineups of subculture-focused events like Outbreak. However, the overwhelming response to Have a Nice Life during their first-ever UK performance showcased a significant indicator of longevity. Although they embody the archetypal image of early 2000s male American rock stars, Connecticut shoegaze and post-punk icons Dan Barrett and Tim Macuga continue to resonate with themes of despair and disillusionment. Their powerful performance in Outbreak London’s packed tent,
There are certain albums you anticipate with excitement due to the joy they promise, while others fill you with apprehension. OSMIUM’s self-titled debut album falls into the latter category. The band comprises
Merging traditional country foundations with contemporary elements and genuine storytelling, Texan singer/songwriter William Beckmann is developing a sound that is enduring, sincere, and reflective of his origins.
Poland’s largest festival will feature performances from artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Doechii, Massive Attack, and others this summer.
The festival already features headliners such as Chappell Roan, Hozier, and Bring Me The Horizon.
In anticipation of next week's Worthy Farm celebration, we take another look at our forecasting argument - initially released in 2023 - discussing why Olivia Rodrigo headlining Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage would create a historic performance.
Selected by Mitch Mosk, this week's Editor's Picks showcases music from NoMBe, Sheléa, Nectar Woode, Nxdia, Jahnah Camille, and Hannah Jadagu!
Whether it's groundbreaking veteran acts from overseas or innovative genre mashups from the British Isles, Outbreak accommodates them all. On what