Radar 2026: Ones To Watch

“We are all connected, we are one, you and I.“

It’s that time again. The UK’s premier djent and prog festival, Radar Fest, is here, and with it comes our picks for Ones To Watch! As always, we’re not just going to tell you to see the big names; that’d be boring! Instead, we’ve curated a list of artists from throughout the lineup who we feel may be overlooked by some, or are still flying under the radar. As with every list, these bands all get the BoolinTunes seal of approval, and we hope that by now that means something! So, with that said, please enjoy our list for Ones To Watch at Radar ’26!

Rozemary

Self-proclaimed baddiecore trendsetters Rozemary have been on our radar for a while now, and they’ve already made a lasting impression. One of the most exciting names in the underground scene right now, they blend soaring choruses with crushing riffs, all backed by a relentless hardcore energy. Their latest release, It’s Harder Now To Breathe, highlights their versatility, seamlessly shifting from emotional, melodic passages to bone-crushing breakdowns. Making their debut and ready to kick off the weekend’s celebrations, Rozemary are guaranteed to kick off the festivities with a bang. Be sure to support them! – Jack W

Dacara

Manchester’s own Dacara are our next pick, bringing their eclectic blend of electronics and metal to Victoria Warehouse. Symphonic and danceable sections contrast against crushingly heavy breakdowns to form something immediately transfixing. Dacara’s sound perfectly balances elements of nu-metalcore and old-school symphonic metal. If you’re looking for a band to sing along to, Dacara are the band for you. – Jack W

Vianova

Exploding onto the scene with the release of 2025’s Hit It!, Vianova have been steadily making the rounds, silly hat and all. One of the event’s “softer” acts, they’re immediately catchy due to their electronic-led sound and stunning clean vocals. At times taking that signature Thornhill sound and doubling down on the djentier elements, Vianova scratches a very particular itch, but my god do they do it well, and you’d be stupid not to give them the time of day. – Jack W

Volumes

Anyone who’s an OG prog metal fan will know Volumes. Having stepped in to replace Chelsea Grin on the line-up, we’re excited to see what these prog heavyweights will bring to the festival. They strike the perfect balance between groove and sheer heaviness, backed by stellar musicianship. The addition of dual vocalists also makes for a unique and dynamic live performance that’s not to be missed. – Zena M

Pintglass

Geezacore. Utterly ridiculous in every sense of the word, Pintglass bring pure, unfiltered, belligerent beatdown to Radar, with balaclavas and high-viz vests to match. Leaning entirely into the gimmick, they manage to pull off a sound which is equal parts stupidity and brilliance. If you wanna see some carnage this year, Pintglass will be the set to see. Site mentality. – Jack W

Graphic Nature

Graphic Nature are no strangers to Radar, having played the festival back in ’24. They combine a nu-metal soundscape with distorted, contorted riffs, while never shying away from tackling raw and honest conversations about mental health in their music. They’re the perfect band if you’re looking for a bit of emotional catharsis. – Zena M

Northlane

It wouldn’t be an OTW line-up without including the band everyone has come to know and love in the progressive metal scene (myself included). With Northlane being the most requested band to perform at Radar, we couldn’t agree more. They’ve crafted their own cyberpunk-inspired soundscape by blending EDM, djent, and industrial metal into something uniquely their own. The best way to describe them is as a futuristic dance club where metal collides with the world of The Matrix. They’re never afraid to experiment or take risks, and if this is your first opportunity to see Northlane live, take it. Trust me. – Zena M

Unpeople

A long-time BoolinTunes favourite now, we will not stop telling you to watch Unpeople at any given opportunity; after all, they made our Ones To Watch list for a reason. Dreamy cleans, gang vocals, silly chants, and utterly ridiculous growls are just some of what you can expect out of Unpeople, and that’s before we touch on the instrumentals! With their debut album, We Are Unpeople, on the very near horizon, Radar will be one of the last opportunities you have to see this band before they inevitably blow up. Want the cool kid points? Be there. – Jack W

TEN56

TEN56 know exactly how to deliver intense, hefty, sludgy breakdowns within the realm of modern metal. If you’re after something crushing, powerful, and packed with grit that you can really sink your teeth into, then this is the band for you. Get your moshing shoes at the ready and prepare for the chaos that awaits at Radar this year. – Zena M

Animals As Leaders

Even though they’re an instrumental band, don’t let the lack of vocals put you off. Animals As Leaders let the technical brilliance of their music do all the talking, drawing the audience into a rich sonic journey that fuses progressive metal, djent, funk, and jazz. It’s not just a performance; it’s a complete experience. If you’re a fan of bands like God Is An Astronaut, who have previously played the festival, then Animals As Leaders should be at the top of your Radar must-see list. – Zena M