Photo Credit: Eddy Maynard
The much anticipated return of OUTBREAK‘s autumn edition was announced just before their summer extravaganza. The one day event returned to Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester, this time bringing everybody indoors for an action packed day, from some of the UK’s much loved hardcore acts, to big names make their journey across the globe.
Already an Outbreak staple, ANGEL DU$T returned to the UK supporting The Story So Far on their tour, but with 40 minutes to play with on the day, people were there for them just as much as the rest of the line-up. The Baltimore hardcore act flourished on the crowds energy that unfolded in front of them, with a large percentage of their fans contributing to vocal duties throughout the performance. Bassist Zechariah Ghostribe continued to launch himself across the stage, thriving off the energy in the room, and a cameo from Leah Massey-Hey (Pest Control) for ‘Set Me Up‘ was the perfect way to cap off the band’s set.
Sydney hardcore outfit SPEED also made a return to Outbreak, this time with their debut album behind them and a host of new fans awaiting to experience their chaotic show. Fans flocked to the stage immediately as the first note was hit, creating a swarm of stage divers right from the off. Vocalist Jem Siow wasted no time in getting involved with the madness, with his high kicks and constant two-stepping on stage, he was in the mix just like everybody else. Following the commotion that ‘THE FIRST TEST‘ provoked, the audience crammed onto the platform to witness the flute segment in all its glory. Fellow hardcore band Whispers joined in on the fun with SPEED handing over their instruments, repeating the same once again, this time with BIG CHEESE, who ended the Sydney band’s performance.
CITIZEN‘s second appearance at the festival was just as spectacular as the first. Arguably one of the most anticipated sets of the day, the Ohio alt-rockers kicked off their set with ‘I Want to Kill You’. The crowd picked up from Speed’s carnage and carried that into CITIZEN‘s set, this time for a more subdued sound but still as spirited. Tracks from their iconic debut ‘Youth‘ were easily the most well received across the 10-song set, with ‘The Summer‘ and ‘Roam the Room‘ stealing the show, proving that after over a decade, it remains a staple in the scene. The audience leaped on to the platform, surrounding vocalist Mat Kerekes to lend their efforts for ‘The Night I Drove Alone‘ for one last hurrah.
Topping the bill for their debut appearance at the festival, THE STORY SO FAR began their Outbreak exclusive set with new fan favourite ‘Big Blind‘, which swiftly encouraged a large number of stage divers to intervene. The pop-punk pioneers have matured greatly over the years, but with a crowd as intense as this one, they were more than willing to sneak in a few throwbacks during the set. ‘The Glass‘ picked up the pace across the room, with Parker Cannon regulary surrounded by a swarm of people as he made his way on to the platform. Along with tracks from their recent release ‘I Want to Disappear‘, it was the timeless ‘High Regard‘ that served as a huge hit on the night. The much faster paced ‘Bad Luck‘ and ‘Empty Space‘ generated further movement on and off stage, whilst a duo from their debut effort consisted of ‘Roam‘ and the legendary ‘Quicksand‘ to conclude the bands biggest UK headline show to date.
Taped Magazine 