Outbreak Manchester 2025 - SUNDAY

By Anya Baxter.

Sunday at Outbreak was the day for the hardcore titans to come out to play. With UK exclusive performances, a secret set, and the biggest wall of death ever seen, it was a day to remember. If you have not read our write-up of Saturday's events, click below to visit the page.

Saturday at Outbreak

XWEAPONX

Opening the festival were XweaponX, a band which featured some very familiar faces. Two of the members went on to also close the festival. That's right, Bryan Garris and Isaac Hale of the one and only Knocked Loose make up part of XweaponX, meaning they both opened and closed Sunday at the festival. Garris's brother Trey covers drums, Harm's Way guitarist Bo Lueders and Dave Baugher make up the rest of the lineup.

Photos by Nat Wood.

DRUG CHURCH

We managed to catch New York band Drug Church, who blend punk with a grungy sound. They tool over the main stage for a midday set, and I immediately added them to my playlist.

Photos by Jamie Carmichael.

LOATHE

On our way to the festival site that morning, and once we arrived, everyone was talking and making their guessed on who they thought would be revealed as the special guest performing a secret set. Of course we were ready and waiting for the reveal, and when Loathe's logo was projected across the back of the main stage, the crowd was thrilled. The scouse new metal band delivered a brilliant set, and were wowed by the amazing reception they received in response. They even brought out special guest Olli Appleyard, of Static Dress, to feature on a track.

Photos by Eddy Maynard.

SUNAMI

Photos by Nat Wood.

SPEED

Australian hardcore band Speed were next up on our Sunday at Outbreak. Lead by Jem Siow, and his flute, Speed ended up being one of the best bands we watched. And the crown enjoyed their set just as much as us, there was never a moment when there wasn't an audience member on stage. With a sound reminiscent of Suicidal Tendencies, Speed are insanely popular, it seemed at least half of the festival-goers were sporting their merch. Despite only having released one full length album, which I have since bought on vinyl, Speed have built a community of so many fans who, along with us, are eager to see their next move.

Photos by Nat Wood.

SUPERHEAVEN

To be honest, I had never heard of Superheaven before their set at Outbreak, which I was surprised to thoroughly enjoy. They were a fresh break between hardcore acts, but still had that raw quality that allowed them to fit in perfectly. They were a huge hit with the crowd, who already knew them well, and we have become avid listeners since seeing them live. They are returning to Manchester in 2026, and we will definitely be there.

DEAFHEAVEN

My favourite band of the weekend has to go to Deafheaven. With their own "black-gaze" (a combo of black metal and shoegaze) sound, they are a clear standout. Frontman George Clarke is phenomenal, with one of the best screams I've ever heard. Their latest record Lonely People With Power is my album of the year thus far, and it's going to be tough to beat. For their Outbreak set they played songs old and new, inviting the crowd up onto the stage to sing with them. It was really something to see. It was my second time seeing them live, and they were as amazing as the last. They will be back in the UK for their headline tour at the end of the year.

Photos by Nat Wood.

GLASSJAW

Glassjaw actually played both days of the festival, but we chose to watch their Sunday set, as they were playing Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence in full, which is a fantastic album and one of our favourites. Seeing it live was an amazing experience and the band fully delivered. There was a sense of nostalgia in the air as everyone sang every lyric like the album came out last week.

Photos by Nat Wood.

DENZEL CURRY

Photos by Eddy Maynard.

KNOCKED LOOSE

It is no secret to our regular Exposia readers that we love Knocked Loose over here. This was my 3rd time seeing them live, and they never disappoint. They opened up their Outbreak set with "Blinding Faith", the perfect opening track. The band also brought out a plethora of other musicians from various other bands that had performed that day, including Deafheaven's George Clarke, Speed's Jem Siow, and Loathe's Kadeem France. It was a one of a kind performance, an ode to hardcore. In true Knocked Loose style, they opened up a huge wall of death, which obviously the crowd went crazy for and must have been incredible to see from the stage.

Photos by Nat Wood.

Our first Outbreak was an unforgettable experience, and we will definitely be back next year. Thank you so much to the amazing media team for inviting us down, and all the on site staff who were very helpful at the event. Finally, a huge thank you to the wonderful photographers (Eddy Maynard, Nat Wood, Elliot Ingham and Jamie Carmichael) for allowing us to use their work alongside our write-ups.

Outbreak - see you in 2026!