Burn It Down has become a highlight of the alternative music scene in the Westcountry over recent years, with the novel concept of bringing some of the heaviest touring bands to a quaint seaside resort. Held in Torquay, Devon, it draws acts ranging from rock, hardcore punk, metal and acoustic music to a cluster of independent venues around a scenic harbour. The promoters announced the date of the festival and the first set of artists today, coinciding with the first day of the national Independent Venue Week initiative, which will see hundreds of performances held across the UK in support of our local music businesses.
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The first Burn It Down (BID) festival ran in 2018 as a one-day affair at the start of September, following years of independent venues shutting down in Devon’s cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Promoters BYP saw an opportunity to bring a different live music experience to the so-called “English Riviera” of Torbay, a pocket of towns on the Devon coast which is extremely popular with tourists. However, Torbay lacked any kind of indoor arena designed specifically for live music, so the festival was held in partnership with local pubs and nightclubs in Torquay.
The first event was a huge success, drawing attendees from across the UK, and shining a light on up-and-coming British talent in the nation’s underground scenes. In particular, Malevolence, who were one of the top bands on the inaugural bill, have since gone on to become one of the most exciting and popular hardcore bands both in the UK and beyond. Burn It Down continued to build up steam over the following years, before expanding into a two day format in 2022. They also managed to attract bands with higher profiles, such as English rockers Deaf Havana in 2022, and California post-hardcore band Being As An Ocean in 2023. 2025’s edition upped the ante again, adding a third day to work with Bob Vylan during the fallout from their controversial Glastonbury set.
The reveal for 2026 has a lot going on. With no formal headline act shown, BID-debutants As It Is, who label themselves as “transatlantic pop-punk” from Brighton are the first and perhaps biggest name on the poster. London hardcore unit TRC last played the festival in 2021, and will be looking to bring a bit of energy to the pits, alongside Burn It Down regulars Pintglass and Overpower. Two-piece Essex outfit The Meffs will also be bringing a dose of punky liveliness to the Southern coastline. Last on the list is Berlin-based Vianova, whose 2025 genre-bending album ‘Hit It!’ confused and intrigued listeners in equal measure.
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Burn It Down 2026 is booked in for the 3rd, 4th and 5th of September, being held across The Foundry, The Attic and The Apple And Parrot, three independent bars in Torquay. Tickets are available now from BYP’s website, with many more acts to be announced later in the year.
