As summer rolls in, Manchester prepares for the thunderous return of Outbreak Fest, one of Europe’s most important gatherings for hardcore, punk, and alternative culture. From its underground roots to its current status as a global community hub, Outbreak Fest has evolved into more than just a music festival—it’s a movement. In 2025, the festival brings its boundary-pushing energy back to Depot Mayfield, promising a weekend of raw intensity, mosh pits, and fierce independence.
DIY Beginnings, Global Legacy
Outbreak Fest started in 2011 in Sheffield as a modest DIY hardcore showcase. Over a decade later, it has grown without ever selling out. In 2025, the festival will again take place at Depot Mayfield, Manchester—an industrial cathedral of concrete and chaos perfectly suited to the gritty, high-octane nature of the scene. From Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29, fans will gather for three days of sound, sweat, and shared identity.
Despite its growth, Outbreak has held tight to its DIY ethos. From zine stalls and vegan food vendors to skate ramps and photography exhibits, it continues to reflect the creative independence that fuels the hardcore scene. There are no flashy LED walls, no choreographed pyros; just music, community, and a refusal to compromise.
The Sound of Now: Loud, Proud, and Unapologetic
The 2025 line-up is once again a who’s-who of hardcore, punk, emo, and metalcore. Expect iconic names side-by-side with the new generation of bands breaking boundaries.
In 2024, headliners like Turnstile, Trapped Under Ice, and Denzel Curry lit up the warehouse with wild crossover energy. For 2025, the rumour mill is buzzing with talk of Knocked Loose, Have Heart, and Scowl returning to bring their relentless sounds to the stage. UK favourites such as Higher Power and Chubby and the Gang are also likely to make appearances, keeping local voices strong.
The beauty of Outbreak Fest is the balance: heavy hitters draw the crowds, but it’s the smaller bands and surprise sets that leave the deepest marks. Attendees often speak of finding new favorite acts while wandering between stages and discovering punk poetry or powerviolence on a side stage.
Not Just Music: Culture, Skate, and Resistance
Outbreak Fest is built on more than sound. At its core is a deep respect for underground culture and resistance. Across the venue, you’ll find zine libraries, skate ramps, photo exhibitions, and talks that explore everything from gender and race in punk scenes to the politics of DIY art.
The indoor skatepark has become a signature part of the fest, with pro riders and amateurs alike tearing through ramps between band sets. Nearby, independent record labels, tattoo artists, and clothing brands create a marketplace of punk creativity.
Whether you’re vegan, straight edge, crust punk, queer, or just curious, there’s a space for you here. Outbreak’s atmosphere is aggressive in sound but inclusive in spirit.
The Venue: Industrial Rawness Meets Cultural Revival
Depot Mayfield is a perfect setting—raw, massive, and charged with history. Once a train station, now an urban art space, it amplifies the energy of every breakdown and stage dive. With multiple rooms, open floor space, and graffiti-clad walls, it feels like stepping into a living zine.
Sound quality is tight, and production is kept purposefully minimal. Lighting is sharp and moody, but you won’t find pop-festival gimmicks. Everything about the venue enhances the stripped-back, honest spirit of the music.
Community First: Mental Health and Accessibility
Outbreak Fest continues to prioritize mental health and inclusion. Quiet rooms, peer support zones, and wellness initiatives are part of the festival’s growing commitment to caring for its audience. For a scene built on rebellion, there’s an unexpected warmth and emotional awareness here.
There’s also strong focus on accessibility; whether you’re neurodivergent, disabled, or need support navigating loud, crowded spaces, Outbreak works hard to make you feel seen and safe.
Why Go to Outbreak Fest?
Because it’s more than music. It’s a place where screaming your lungs out is a form of therapy, where subcultures thrive, and where community feels real. Outbreak Fest isn’t interested in being slick. It’s interested in being true.
You’ll leave tired, sore, inspired—and probably with a tote bag full of zines.
Follow Outbreak Fest
For early bird tickets, line-up announcements, and all updates, follow Outbreak Fest:
Instagram: @outbreakfest
Facebook: Outbreak Fest
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