Festpod - The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide

Rich has finally made it to RADAR Festival! After years of hearing Neill bang on about the place, he's getting to see what all the fuss is about. We're at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester for day one of RADAR 2026, and there's plenty to get excited about. Two stages, incredible sound, loads of guitars, arcade games and a crowd that makes you feel at home. We chat about Northlane, Ghost Iris and Neill's memories of seeing Sleep Token headline RADAR in 2023. We also somehow end up getting our nails done, complete with black polish and barbed-wire designs. Very metal. We're also joined by RADAR's accessibility co-ordinator, Scarlett Heselwood, who tells us about the work that goes into making the festival welcoming to more people.She tells us about sensory maps and quiet spaces, and the difficulties of accessible viewing areas, Scarlett explains what RADAR has done, what still needs improving and why listening to people is so important. With Rich having experienced accessibility problems at other festivals himself, it's a chat that really matters to us. And there's plenty of laughter, swearing and the usual distractions, including a truly revolting story from a Muse gig that neither of us will ever forget. It's only day one, and we're having a brilliant time already. Find more from Festpod at https://festpod.uk Read our interview feature with Scarlett at https://www.festpod.uk/news/radar-festival-accessibility-scarlett-heselwood-interview Thanks to our sponsors, Fat Frank's Camping Shop - https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com/ Recorded at RADAR Festival 2026, O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester. RADAR moves to Magna in 2027, so the venue specific accessibility arrangements discussed here may change.

InMe on Saturday, LASTELLE on Sunday, and no set clashes all weekend.Reading Rising returns to The Facebar on the 7th and 8th of November 2026, with Employed To Serve and plenty more on the bill.Neill and Rich catch up with Joe Conneely, Connor Shortt and Aaron Iley, who organise Reading Rising and also play together in InAir. We talk about the bands they've booked, the ones people kept asking for, and how the two room setup lets you see every set! Connor explains how he runs the lights in both rooms and still fits in a set on drums with InAir. Aaron tells us how his nan got him InMe's Overgrown Eden a day before release, and we look back at LASTELLE opening the first Reading Rising in 2018. This time, they're headlining on the Sunday. There's also a chat about making a weekend of it in Reading, plans with Siren Craft Brew, low-alcohol beer and why buying your ticket early helps the people putting it all together.READING RISING 2026 7–8 November 2026 | The Facebar in Reading. It's two days in two rooms, with no set clashes.SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBERInMe, Employed To Serve, Cabin Boy Jumped Ship, Seething Akira, Shoot To Kill, RXPTRS, Terakai, One Last Day, HENKA, Halfway Home, NIGHT THIEVES and Outlier.SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBERLASTELLE, Asleep at the Helm, High Regard, Lowlife, Kite Thief, Scatter The Tribe, InAir, Bear Trap and Re:O.Tickets: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Reading/The-FaceBar/Reading-Rising-2026/41634047/Event details: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/reading-rising/whats-on/reading-rising-2026Read our episode feature: https://festpod.uk/news/festpod-93-reading-rising-2026Festpod is sponsored by Fat Frank's Camping Shop:https://fatfrankscampingshop.comMORE FESTPODWebsite: https://www.festpod.uk/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@festpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fest.podFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/festpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@festpodMerch: https://festpod.shop

There’s still a day of Download left, but finding the energy for it is another matter.Neill Wilkinson, Arran Prime and Rob Hemingway settle onto the grass in the guest area for Festpod 92, recorded on Sunday at Download Festival 2026. Rob’s been out for Modestep and a late-night trip to the fun house. Now we’re weighing up the bands we want to see against the very tempting thought of our own beds.We look back at Architects’ interrupted set, The All-American Rejects, and Self Deception’s crowd antics with RockFit. There’s also a quick reaction to Private School before the we turn to Sunday’s choices, including Scooter, Ice Nine Kills, A Day To Remember, Bad Omens and letlive.Then the question of what to do when you spot a musical hero. Do you say hello, or leave the magic alone? We talk about anonymity, being a fan and the catch-ups that make the guest area feel like a festival reunion.Come and spend half an hour in the field with us. What was your highlight of Download 2026?MORE FESTPODhttps://www.festpod.ukWATCH OR LISTEN TO MORE EPISODEShttps://www.festpod.uk/podcastSUPPORTED BY FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOPhttps://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com/Recorded at Download Festival 2026. Sunday’s later sets are discussed as plans, not reviewed performances. Comments about the Architects show stops reflect the hosts’ observations and understanding at the time.Contains strong language.

A bit more space, a shower and a proper toilet. At a festival, those things can start sounding dangerously appealing.For Festpod episode 91, Neill, Arran and Rob catch up in the guest area on day two of Download Festival 2026. We talk about the appeal of R.I.P. and guest camping, whether we’d pay extra, and why a little taste of comfort can make ordinary camping harder to return to.There’s also a quick look back at Friday’s music, some festival fashion and a familiar problem - trying to enjoy everything on very little sleep.In this episode:Guest-area space, familiar faces and whether we’d pay for the experience.Campervan treats, showers, proper toilets and camping preferences.Friday reactions to vianova, Pendulum and Electric Callboy.Getting around a busy arena.Arran Core, festival food prices and the lack of sleep.A quick hello from Bailey of Within Reach.Catching up with mates and the community that keeps us coming back.Spotting Sam Carter from Architects nearby, plus discussion of a reported last-minute stage change for As Everything Unfolds.And yes, the wind gets involved too.Whether you were there or couldn’t make it, pull up a chair and join us for a catch-up from the field.MORE FESTPODhttps://www.festpod.ukWATCH OR LISTEN TO MORE EPISODEShttps://www.festpod.uk/podcastSUPPORTED BY FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOPhttps://www.fatfrankscampingshop.comRecorded at Download Festival 2026.Contains strong language.

Missing Download already? Come back to the field with us - no tent to put up this time.For Festpod episode 90, Neill Wilkinson, Arran Prime and Rob Hemingway catch up with Paleface Swiss, Return To Dust, Self Deception, Rockin’1000 founder Fabio Zaffagnini and the RockFit crew at Download Festival 2026. There are reactions to a first-UK-show, album ideas born on tour, a plan involving 500 musicians and a Green Power Ranger determined to find the Electric Callboy pit. Because the bands are only part of what makes Download, well, Download.- Paleface Swiss join us before their set to talk festival crowds, playing the UK and making the most of that first-day energy.- Return To Dust have just played their first UK show. We get into hearing their lyrics sung back thousands of miles from home, touring with YUNGBLUD and a van that really didn’t want to get up the hill at Red Rocks.- Self Deception talk turning tour-life ideas into One of Us, letting go of perfection and packing everything into their shortest set yet. They’ve also got their sights on a bigger Download stage.- Fabio explains how wanting Foo Fighters to play his hometown became Rockin’1000 - and what it takes to get hundreds of musicians playing together.- RockFit’s crew talk finding your people, making classes welcoming and why you don’t need to arrive as a fitness fanatic to get involved. Plus crowd chats, a tiny duck and the mosh pit mime. An interesting person for a podcast, that.Subscribe for more rock festivals, live music and the people who make them happen.MORE FESTPOD https://www.festpod.ukWATCH OR LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES https://www.festpod.uk/podcastSUPPORTED BY FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOP https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.comRecorded at Download Festival 2026. Tour, release and event plans discussed reflect the time of recording. Contains strong language.#DownloadFestival #Download2026 #Festpod

Every band dreams of playing Download Festival. For six unsigned bands, that dream became reality at The Takeover 2026.In this special episode, FestPod follows the emotional journey of six bands as they step off the Download stage and reflect on achieving a lifelong ambition.Hear from 40,000 Leagues, CELAVI, Pryma, DeadWax, RXPTRS and Black Water County just moments after their performances, as they share the adrenaline, relief and excitement of playing one of the world's biggest rock festivals.Joining Neil Wilkinson are Arran Prime (Crushed By Waves) and Rob Hemingway (Veiled), two musicians who once stood on the very same stage themselves. Together, they reflect on what The Takeover means for emerging artists and why it's become one of the most important opportunities for new rock and metal bands.More than a collection of interviews, this is a celebration of the next generation of rock and metal - and the dreams that keep bands going through years of rehearsals, tiny gigs and hard work.

Right then! Welcome back to Festpod, the Unofficial Rock Festival Guide. For Episode 88, we are getting stuck into one of the absolute best weekends on the entire music calendar - Radar Festival! We’re looking back at all the brilliant madness from the 2025 edition and looking forward to what’s coming up for 2026.Neill Wilkinson is joined by the amazing Arran Prime from the band Crushed By Waves to chat about why this indoor Manchester gem at the O2 Victoria Warehouse is so enjoyable. Think about it: no trudging through ankle deep mud, no freezing in a tent, and hotels literally all over the place. It genuinely feels like a giant VIP guest area all weekend.We’re breaking down the sets from heavy hitters and incredible acts like Carpenter Brut, Zeal & Ardor, As Everything Unfolds, Future Palace, Lake Malice, and Pint Glass (yep, the lads in the high vis jackets with the traffic cones). Plus, we talk about the upstairs gear market, delectable pastries, the legendary Mosh Pit Mime drinking game, and a bit of weirdo science about why circle pits only spin anti clockwise.Whether you’re watching along on YouTube to see the footage or listening on the move, come and join the chat!Check out the Festpod links:Support us on Patreon (and grab the behind-the-scenes Debrief episode!): https://festpod.co.ukGet your Festpod Merch (Don't be a mug, get a bloody mug!): https://festpod.shopOur Official Sponsor: Shout out to Fat Frank’s Camping Shop! Order your festival essentials at https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

In episode 87 of Festpod: The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide, Neill, Rich, and Arran talk about this year's Download Festival - what's coming up, what's changed, and what we're looking forward to.Topics this episode:- Railway bans bins. We discuss East Midlands Railway's decision to ban festival-goers from bringing wheelie bins full of beer and camping gear onto their trains.- RIP Park Farm glass ban. We look into the Download rules, including the controversial ban on glass in the RIP Park Farm campsite. Can it be enforced?- Lineup Updates: We share the unfortunate news that Static X has cancelled their 2026 tour dates, including their Download appearance, due to serious medical issues. - The 2026 Map Reveal: We take a long look at the newly released festival map. We examine the massive expansion of the RIP areas and the brutally long walk facing families in the Mini Mosher and Quiet Camps. - Inside District X: We look at what's happening in District X, including the Ace of Spades tent, The Outpost, and the Arcade Bar. There are some changes and some new spots, too!- We review the stacked District X entertainment lineup, which features sets from Five, Electric Six, a DJ set from Creeper, Dick and Dom in the Doghouse, Token Grass, and Bongo's Bingo. - Are podcasts a good form of stage entertainment at music festivals? Would you rather see music or podcasts on stage at Download?- The Takeover Stage: A quick recap of the six unsigned bands kicking things off on Wednesday: 40,000 Leagues, Celavi, Pryma, DeadWax, Rxptrs, and Black Water County. - Our Top Band Picks: To wrap things up, we share our ultimate recommendations for the weekend. Hear why we are hyped to see Social Distortion, Scooter, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Bad Omens, Caskets, A Day to Remember, and more! with our sponsor, Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1tPlease support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shopAll our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

The Download Community Takeover is your shot at playing the festival. It happens every year in District X, what used to be known as the Village, on the Doghouse stage. Bands submit videos of themselves playing and a panel whittles them down to six bands who will play on the first day of Download Festival.This episode reveals the final six bands. Trish and John, two members of the deciding panel, join us to discuss them and give us their thoughts on the band's music, journey so far and potential reaction by the Download crowd.with our sponsor, Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1tPlease support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shopAll our links here: https://festpod.co.uk