Hardcore takes over Victoria Park for London’s first Outbreak festival | Music | Entertainment

For the first time, the legendary Outbreak Festival left Manchester and headed south, drawing 15,000 fans for a stacked, all-day takeover of East London. For a genre that’s always thrived in basements and DIY venues, seeing this many people pack into Victoria Park felt like a win – and there was plenty to get excited about.

Made up of three stages, the day kicked off with Kumo 99 and Mudi Sama bringing the heat across The Club and Main Stage. New Yorkers, Drug Church, pulled the first major singalong of the day, getting the crowd moving and shouting lyrics back with no hesitation. From there, LA-based band julie brought dreamy, distorted grunge textures to the Main Stage, shifting the tone but keeping it heavy in their own way.

Meanwhile, Model/Actriz stood out in The Club with a sweaty, mesmerising set that had queues spilling out of the tent. Frontman Cole Haden vogued, posed, and twisted through it all, backed by pulsing rhythms and a crowd more than up for it.

Later in the afternoon, Superheaven’s sludgy, riff-heavy set proved a huge draw. Following this, Glassjaw brought a cult energy to the second stage, serving as a reminder of how deep the genre runs, and how many different forms it’s taken since. 

Throughout the day, there was a shared sense of pride, from fans and bands alike, that hardcore was being celebrated on such a large scale. This was especially true for the international acts. Speed’s Jem Siow perfectly captured this feeling of gratefulness in a brief moment of reflection during their explosive afternoon set. 

While the Australian band are no strangers to large crowds, Jem took the opportunity to praise the hardcore community and its values. He touched the joy of seeing so many people united by the love for the same thing, before dedicating a track “from Sydney hardcore to London hardcore” and telling the crowd to “get the f*** up”.

There was a similar sentiment of pride from Knocked Loose as they closed out the Second Stage for the day.

As the band began their set, the rain swept in. But this respite from the day’s earlier sunshine didn’t provide much relief for those in the sweat-drenched pits. The band tore through tracks from their latest album, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, including “Don’t Reach for Me” and “Suffocate,” sounding just as urgent live as they do on record.

Given they were headlining Manchester’s Outbreak on the Sunday, it was hard to believe this was only their second time playing the festival. Frontman Bryan Garris paused to take it in. “Look how f***ing special this is,” he said, echoing Jem’s earlier words.  

“Who’s seen us before?” he added. The wave of cheers from longtime fans was matched by a sea of newcomers, showing just how far the Kentucky-based band have climbed in the last two years.

“This one’s for you,” he shouted, before launching into “Belleville” and inviting a barrage of crowd surfers down to the front. The hardcore favourites closed out their set with the raucous “Everything Is Quiet Now,” and the field quickly turned its focus to the final act of the night.

Riding high on the success of their critically acclaimed album, NEVER ENOUGH, and firmly established as the band on everyone’s lips, anticipation quietly built for what would be Turnstile’s largest UK headline show to date.

As the rain began to fall more steadily over Victoria Park, the now-iconic ocean waves from their cinematic ‘NEVER ENOUGH’ video lit up the screens, setting the stage ready for what would become the set’s opener.

When the band finally took to the stage, joined by Blood Orange, and the steady build of the album’s title track swelled prompting the crowd to erupt into chants of “never enough” it was clear the Baltimore band were here to deliver what fans came for. 

What followed was a 22-song set that spanned all corners of their catalogue. Any calm quickly dissolved as they tore into “T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection),” “ENDLESS,” and “LIGHT DESIGN.” This was Turnstile in full flight.

“Keep It Moving” and “Pushing Me Away” followed, locking the band and crowd into a steady stream of moshpits and two steps. “I CARE” and “DULL” lit up the middle of the set, while fan favourites “UNDERWATER BOI” and “HOLIDAY” built momentum toward a standout closing run. Frontman Brendan Yates moved with ease, his vocals never strained even when he was in constant motion. 

“The first show this band ever played here was Outbreak Festival, that was 2013 and it was very intimate,” Brendan said as he paused briefly to address the crowd. “Here we are, 12 years later. We love you!”

“ALIEN LOVE CALL” saw Blood Orange return to the stage once more, while “BLACKOUT,” “MYSTERY,” and new tracks “SEEIN’ STARS” and “BIRDS” delivered a powerful encore.

Fully locked into their craft, Turnstile showed exactly why they’re one of the biggest bands in the world right now. Their crowds might keep growing, but what stands out is the absence of spectacle.

Their strength lies in connecting with fans through a shared, unfiltered energy that is completely genuine. They didn’t need to say much. They just showed up, did what they do best, and once again proved they’re incredible.