The alternative, punk festival is located at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Center as of 2026. Initially it started its days at the Broomhall Centre in Sheffield. In modernity, the festival has moved between a variety of different venues and cities taking its dedicated supporters with it.

There are two legs of Outbreak occurring in 2026, the first being in Manchester and the latter being in London.  Outbreak has paired up with All Points East to bring audiences a superb lineup of acts in London this August. Set to headline the London date are Deftones, IDLES, Amyl & The Sniffers, JPEGMAFIA, Wisp, Basement and EsDeeKid, plus many additional acts to be announced. Taking full advantage of All Points East’s notoriety to deliver a stellar lineup, this day is set to be one for the books in Outbreak history.

Over its lifespan the festival has become one of the most notorious hardcore events in the UK, hosting a number of incredible sets over the past decade. Outbreak stands out from commercial festivals with its haphazard range of dates, genre fusions and locations, but this does not seem to sway its attendees. Never doubt how far a hardcore fan is willing to travel to bound around in a mosh pit to their favourite artist.

The Manchester dates are a diamond amongst the rubble of UK festival lineups this year. Kicking off the Friday date our starting platter consists of, Tigers Jaw, Free Throw, Pool Kids, Balance & Composure and the band taking Friday’s headline spot is none other than New Jersey based band, The Front Bottoms.

The Front Bottoms have amounted a cult following over their active years, and fans cannot wait to reunite with them this summer. This appearance over this side of the pond is a true rarity, especially since they are performing their wondrous album, ‘Talon Of The Hawk’ in full. For anyone that’s a fan of whiny vocals and devastating lyrics this days definitely one not to miss.

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The Saturday lineup is just as incredible with bands such as Quicksand, Pup, Truck Violence, High Vis and Alexisonfire claiming that headline spot. Canadian post-hardcore band, Alexisonfire are making their UK return for the first time since October 2022, performing their 2006 album, ‘Crisis’ in full. Best to dust off your converse and start practicing to defended yourself in the Alexisonfire crowd, it is bound to be a crazy set.

Basement are set to headline the third and final day of the festival. Accompanied by Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, LA Dispute, Febuary and many more. This full lineup is simply stacked to the brim with a tear jerkingly gorgeous array of artists. Many that very rarely step foot in the UK.

If you are now desperate to get tickets, they are still available on the Outbreak website. To access tickets to the London, combinations date, those are available over on the All Points East website.

Don’t miss out on some of the coolest shows of the year!

Alongside our usual Manchester event we will also be launching in London for the first time, which will be a one day, multi stage festival in the city centre (location announced soon).

We are also a little earlier in the month too, due to the way headliner and site availability… pic.twitter.com/NRD5DVcXbV

— Outbreak Fest® (@OutbreakFest) November 11, 2024

The festival will begin with a one-day event in London on June 13, 2025, at Victoria Park, marking the first time Outbreak has come to the capital. Following this, the traditional two-day festival will take place at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester on June 14-15, 2025​. The lineups for London and Manchester will slightly differ, reflecting a diverse mix of hardcore, punk, and alternative artists​. Aside from the main headliners, names like Danny Brown, Speed, and Fleshwater are also a part of the initial line-up released. 

Outbreak lineup may just be the best festival lineup I’ve seen for 2025 — vicky (@rattstyerell) November 27, 2024

Knocked Loose is a hardcore band from Oldham County, Kentucky, known for their raw, aggressive sound and emotionally charged lyrics. Their music blends ferocious riffs, breakdowns, and intense vocal delivery. The band has built a reputation for high-energy live performances and is a regular at major festivals like Coachella. Their song ‘Suffocate’ featuring Poppy, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. This is their first Grammy nomination and reflects the band’s growing influence in the hardcore and metal scenes.
The Pennsylvania-born alternative star Alex G blends genres like indie rock, folk, and experimental pop. Critics have compared him to Elliott Smith for his emotionally charged songwriting and to lo-fi pioneers for his home-recording ethos. Alex G’s song ‘Immunity‘, from his 2022 album ‘God Save the Animals‘, explores complex themes of addiction, personal struggles, and the intertwined dynamics of love. The New York-based band Momma, which often supports Alex G on tour, will also perform at The Outbreak Festival 2025.Tickets for both locations will go on sale starting November 29, 2024, with pre-sale options available for early sign-ups​. Keep an eye on their official website for updates on ticket sales and line-up announcements.

These landmark performances will pay homage to the 25th anniversary of their 1999 self-titled debut album, affectionately known as ‘LP1′. In a statement shared via Instagram, American Football expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We’re thrilled to be going back to the UK this summer / fall for a few very very special shows to commemorate the 25th anniversary of LP1! Outbreak passes are available now and tickets for headline shows go on sale Friday 10am (if you’re on the mailing list though look out for a link sometime this week…)”

Pre-sale tickets for the September dates will commence at 10 am GMT on Wednesday, January 31, with general sale starting at 9 am GMT on Friday, February 2. Tickets for the UK tour can be purchased here, while tickets for Outbreak Festival are already on sale here.

Formed in Urbana, Illinois in 1997, American Football consists of frontman Mike Kinsella, guitarist Steve Holmes, and drummer Steve Lamos. Despite disbanding shortly after their debut album, the trio reunited in 2014, releasing subsequent albums ‘American Football (LP2)’ in 2016 and ‘American Football (LP3)’ in 2019, further cementing their place in the emo genre.

Beyond their musical contributions, American Football recently made headlines with their purchase of the house featured on their debut album cover. This symbolic purchase, jointly orchestrated by the band, Polyvinyl Records, and collaborators, was spurred by the impending sale of the property. Located at 704 W. High Street in Urbana, the house has evolved into a symbol of the band’s identity and holds profound significance for both the band and their fans.

As anticipation builds for their UK tour, the acquisition of the historic house serves as a poignant reminder of American Football’s enduring musical influence and the milestone represented by their 25th anniversary.

Catch American Football live at the dates below:

• 30/06/24 – B.E.C. Arena – Manchester
• 11/09 – Rock City – Nottingham
• 12/09 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
• 14/09 – Roundhouse – London

Rock band Basement are the sole headliner announced so far, marking their third appearance at the festival after performing both in 2015 and 2022. The excitement is only set to escalate as the anticipation builds for the June weekender, with three additional headliners yet to be announced.

The Friday lineup boasts a diverse array of musical talents, featuring JPEGMAFIA, Flatbush Zombies, The Garden, Redveil, MAVI, and King Isis.

The excitement continues with a multigenre array of performances on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing talents like Soccer Mommy, Show Me The Body, Poison The Well, Angel Du$t, Mannequin Pussy, Ceremony, Touché Amoré, Movements, Incendiary, Mindforce, and more.

Other performers include Balance and Composure, Bodyweb, Chat Pile, Demonstration Of Power, Fiddlehead, Higher Power, Hot Mulligan, Teenage Wrist, The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, amongst others.

Adding a touch of nostalgia, Outbreak Festival presents special anniversary sets from Joyce Manor, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the seminal album ‘Never Hungover Again,’ American shoegazers Nothing performing ‘Guilty of Everything‘ from 2014, and The Hotelier marking a decade of their second album ‘Home, Like Noplace Is There.’ New Jersey post-hardcore artist Thursday will also contribute to the sentimental vibe with a set comprising tracks from their acclaimed albums ‘War All The Time‘ and ‘Full Collapse.’

Reflecting on the success of the 2023 edition, headlined by US hip-hop acts Denzel Curry and Death Grips, along with Converge and Bane, Outbreak Festival remains committed to its diverse lineup and its roots in hardcore and alternative music. Hailed as “the heart and soul of hardcore” in Huck magazine, it is a staple in the calendar for enthusiasts in the hardcore and counterculture scenes.

Tickets for the highly anticipated 2024 edition are already on sale here beckoning fans to secure their spot for what promises to be an unmissable experience. Fans can expect more announcements, including the other three headliners, in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates.