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.  

 

 

 

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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

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.