Returning to London for its second year, Outbreak Fest brings the UK’s heaviest festival line-up in collaboration with All Points East this summer. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Outbreak Fest once again features established artists while championing exciting new acts across the alternative music scene.
Amyl and the Sniffers
Fresh off the back of supporting rock giants AC/DC, the Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers make their Outbreak debut this year in London riding an incredible wave of hype after their critically acclaimed 2024 album ‘Cartoon Darkness’. Infusing rock and roll swagger with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, Amyl and the Sniffers bring a raucous live show that promises to get everybody moving. This is a band that transcends genres (‘Big Dreams’ recently got remixed by Fred Again..) but at its core is the punk, D.I.Y ethos that inspired the advent of Amyl and the Sniffers.
Must Hear Track: ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’
FFO: Mannequin Pussy, Bikini Kill, Viagra Boys
Basement
The UK cult rock band Basement make their pilgrimage to Outbreak this year after headlining Outbreak Manchester in 2022 and 2024. The four-piece is known for their beloved grunge-inspired emo sound. The album ‘Colormeinkindness’ is revered in both the hardcore scene and among young audiences after the single ‘Covet’ went viral on TikTok over ten years after its initial release. Excitingly, the band seem to be gearing up for a new release, so we may catch some first listens of new material.
Must Hear Track: ‘Covet’
FFO: Title Fight, Turnover, Joyce Manor
Deftones
Metal giants Deftones are headlining this year’s lineup. The 90s nu-metal titans are currently touring their latest release, ‘private music’, which has received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. This is one of the bands that transcend generations: the sheer breadth of Deftones’ discography continues to resonate with the youth of today, the same way the grit of 'Adrenaline' did 30 years ago. It seems only right that Deftones’ make a stop in London’s All Points East, headlining a bill of artists who perhaps wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for them.
Must Hear Track: ‘Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)’
FFO: Korn, System of a Down, Fleshwater
Wisp
Amongst all the chaos of this year’s Outbreak lineup, emerging shoegaze multi-instrumentalist Wisp provides a much-needed respite. That’s not to say her music isn’t heavy: Wisp creates fuzzy walls of noise for her silky vocals to swim through, inspired by shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine and Whirr. After a slew of singles and the 2024 EP ‘Pandora’, Wisp seems to be working her way up to the success of her idols, amassing 110 million streams and an RIAA Gold award for her single ‘Your face’. And she doesn’t show signs of stopping - releasing her debut album on the 1st of August this year, this is your opportunity to catch an artist on the edge of stardom.
Must Hear Track: 'Your Face'
FFO: Glixen, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins
Show Me the Body
Outbreak regulars Show Me the Body return, beloved in hardcore circles for their critically acclaimed records ‘Body War’ and ‘Dog Whistle’. Infusing the chaos of post-hardcore with genre-defying tendencies, the band played the festival for three years straight before taking a break in 2025. Each year, the band pack out their audience and perform a set that is as atmospheric as it is aggressive. As lead singer Julian Cashwan- Pratt puts it: “if safety isn’t being risked, we’re not playing. If it’s not a volatile ceremony that we’re a part of, there’s no reason for us to play.” Expect flailing limbs, soaring bodies, and most importantly, community.
Must Hear Track: 'Two Blood Pacts'
FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge
Kaitlyn Brockley
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