Set to bring mayhem to Torquay once more, Burn It Down 2025 is looking to be one of the UK’s strongest alternative lineups of the year. With incredible exclusive performances from the likes of Static Dress, Cancer Bats, and Guilt Trip, there are already a handful of strong reasons to be excited for the fest. We’d like to take the time to tell you about some of the smaller names on the lineup, and tell you just why we think they deserve your time as much as some of those higher up on the bill.
*Editor’s note, Plastics have since been announced to no longer be playing Burn It Down
A band that’s been steadily doing the rounds in the London scene, this nu-core outfit is looking poised to break through into the wider UK scene any day now. One of the few bands pulling off that blend of breakcore and metalcore well, So Far So Good fills a void that has long been desired within the UK scene. Chugging guitars, groovy basslines, punchy, crashing drums, and consistently aggravated vocals combine to be much more than the sum of their parts here, and they know it all too well. As if this wasn’t enough, they’ve also been vocal proponents for multiple charitable causes, both performing at, producing promotional material for, and promoting a plethora of small, non-profit events consistently over their tenure. A fantastically fun live band with strong morals and a dedication to the art, So Far So Good are a must-watch set at Burn It Down 2025.
Slung (Saturday, 1300 @ The Apple and Parrot)
Already on our radar following the release of their debut album, In Ways, back in May, Slung will undoubtedly be one of the weekend’s most eye-opening sets for many in attendance. A peculiar yet powerful blend of punk, shoegaze, and indie, they have a sound which is wholly unique and distinctly theirs. Sing-along choruses, slow, swaying verses, and the occasional heavier moment sprinkled in, Slung are something which words struggle to capture, but it is all utterly brilliant. Perhaps one of the outliers on this lineup, there is no doubt in our minds that they’ll make themselves at home with ease, and no doubt win over plenty of new fans in the process.
The Throwaway Scene (Friday, 1300 @ The Apple and Parrot)
Another band we’ve had our eyes on for some time now, The Throwaway Scene bring a refreshing take on post-hardcore, taking things back to the genre’s pop-punk infused era of the early 2000s. Having supported the likes of Love Is Noise, and playing on Delair The Liar’s farewell show, the band is steadily positioning themselves to become a UK scene mainstay. With their new single “Talking Slowly” showing even more progression from their already fantastic debut EP On Death & Dying, the band shows no signs of slowing down. Catch them now, get in early, and make sure you can flex that you saw them before they were huge.
BIND. (Saturday, 1500 @ The Attic)
East Anglia nu-core unit, Bind., are a prime example that the UK underground scene hosts some of the most exciting up-and-coming new bands in the world. Combining elements of metallic hardcore and nu-metalcore, Bind. prove that a mastery of the basics can be equally as compelling as the genre-blending we’re seeing become commonplace in today’s scene. A sound which will no doubt be familiar to most, they have a mastery of the fundamentals which rivals that of many well-established names in the space. Steadily continuing their domination of the UK scene, performing with the likes of False Reality and Death Goals, it seems that the sky is the limit.
Break Fifty (Saturday, 1700 @ The Attic)
“Experience the weight of Break Fifty”, the band’s own branding is more than befitting as this upcoming nu-core unit are on the precipice of becoming something huge. A longtime site favourite, the nu-core unit came out swinging with their debut release Every Scream Became A Whisper In The Dark, a stellar example that nu-core can be something special even amongst the sea of half-rate wannabes that have spawned over the last few years. Having played Radar Festival earlier in the year, it seems their brilliance was realised, and now, amidst a lineup of their peers, we have no doubt that many in attendance at Burn It Down will also see the light.
Hell Hotel (Saturday, 1400 @ The Apple and Parrot)
This Brighton post-hardcore duo have been steadily churning out anthem after anthem, and with a full release likely on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to get in early and claim OG status. If you ever found yourself drawn to the likes of Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, or Underoath, Hell Hotel’s sound will no doubt stir a sense of nostalgia. Yet, they manage to sidestep mere imitation with a fresh energy and inventive twists that breathe new life into a genre many had left for dead. Amidst the ongoing deathcore and metalcore revivals, here’s one of emo’s most promising torch bearers, quietly laying the groundwork for its own resurgence.
Apathy (Saturday, 1400 @ The Attic)
An act that stands out for their unique blend of hardcore and psychedelic metal, Apathy UK are a prime example of sticking to your guns. It was back with the release of GRAVEWALKER that Apathy UK first caught our eyes, and ever since, we’ve been consistently amazed by their output. Able to fit in on metal and hardcore lineups alike due to their unique blend of sounds, Apathy UK show true promise, and with the band seemingly gearing up for what we presume will be their sophomore album, we’re expecting truly big things in the near future.
Not Without Punishment (Friday, 1600 @ The Attic)
With two EPs now under their belt, Not Without Punishment have already made a name for themselves within the hardcore circles across the UK. A no-nonsense band whose sound is deeply rooted in hardcore, they show an appreciation for those who came before them, blending a variety of influences into their sound to become something truly unique. If you’re coming to Torquay to dance, Not Without Punishment are a must-see set. Get in there, show your moves, and have fun.
*Plastics
Like riffs? Like fast-paced, two-stoppable tunes? Enjoy shouting vocals back at the stage? Plastics have everything you need, and more. Having recently been announced as support for the upcoming Gag/Ingrown co-headliner, alongside having supported Scowl earlier in the year, one thing is clear: Plastics are onto something, and it’s being recognised. With a demo release and change currently available, it seems highly likely that we’ll be seeing more from this project very soon, who knows, maybe we’ll even see some of it at the festival…
Xile (Friday, 1900 @ The Attic)
Self-proclaimed Kiwi hardstyle act Xile are one of the bigger acts on our list, and it’s for good reason: they’re absolutely brilliant. A mixture of hardcore and death metal, they bring a wholly new sound to the table, which makes them hard to pinpoint. Having been around since the mid-2010s, Xile are a band who show the true hardcore spirit, and their determination and consistency is beginning to pay off. Currently supporting Dying Fetus and Psycroptic, Xile’s appeal is far and wide. Whether you’re into run-of-the-mill hardcore, or something a bit heavier, their sound has plenty to be excited about, and they’re absolutely worth your time.