Torquay grassroots metal and hardcore punk festival Burn It Down announced their second of three headliners today – Sydney hardcore mob Speed will be playing an uproarious set in quaint Devon with no stage barriers this September.
Burn It Down is an annual three-day event in the South West, transforming the harbour of Devon seaside resort Torquay into a hub for alternative music fans. The west of England has suffered the loss of many of its live music venues and typically struggles to draw talent to the region, but through initiatives like Burn It Down more international acts than ever visit the so-called “English Riviera” of Torbay. The shows take place across The Foundry, The Attic, and The Apple and Parrot, three of the most important independent bars in Torquay’s nightlife centre. Previous iterations of the fest have welcomed prolific artists ranging from UK hardcore juggernauts Malevolence to breakthrough metalcore starlets Static Dress.
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The initial lineup was announced in January, featuring the upbeat pop punk of As It Is, the weighty hardcore of TRC, and the rebellious punk of The Meffs. A second wave of bands came at the start of March, revealing the Friday night headliner as US post-hardcore outfit Drug Church, alongside St Albans’ Your Demise, who were trendsetters for British alternative music in the 2000s and 2010s. The organisers also broke the news that the entire set of Friday performances would have no barrier in front of the stage, a key feature in energetic hardcore punk shows that allows fans to be part of the action and stage dive to their heart’s content. Today’s update only brought one band, but that band’s presence has drawn significant attention from beyond the Westcountry. Australia’s Speed have grown to be one of the most talked-about hardcore collectives in the world – their aggressive beatdowns and the unique addition of frontman Jem Siow’s flute trills has forged an identity that sets them apart from the pack. Official debut EP ‘Gang Called Speed’ hit number 5 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)’s Australian Album Chart, and debut LP ‘Only One Mode’ earned Speed the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album in 2024.
After supporting Baltimore icons Turnstile on their 2024 European tour, the group last brought their frenetic live show to the UK in June last year, playing at Outbreak Festival in both Manchester and London, as well as shows in Dublin and Belfast. With their Saturday headline slot at Burn It Down also announced to be a no-barrier set, attendees can expect a ton of unbridled mayhem and a busy night for the venue’s security team.
Burn It Down 2026 takes place across Torquay from Friday the 3rd of September to Sunday the 5th, with day and weekend tickets available from promoter BYP’s store. Speed will also be on tour across the UK this April, with tickets available for select shows. The full list of dates for their tour with Whispers, Bodyweb and additional support looks like this:
• April 15 – Chalk, Brighton w/ No Relief
• April 16 – XOYO Birmingham w/ Killing Me Softly
• April 17 – Electric Bristol w/ Dambuster
• April 18 – Digital, Newcastle w/ Hellbound
• April 19 – Project House, Leeds w/ Hellbound
• April 20 – Slay, Glasgow w/ Nothin’ But Enemies & Hellbound
• April 22 – Electric Ballroom, London w/ Impunity & SOV
