Ten Bands You Must Check Out at Mangata Festival 2025
Taking place on Saturday 12th July in the heart of Nottingham, Mangata Festival is a one-day event, featuring 46 bands across five stages. A day of heavy music, it promises to be one of the events of the year and trying to see every band we would like to, is going to be on absolute nightmare. Trust me, we’ve tried to work it out already.
There are so many amazing bands performing across the five stages that the idea of coming up with just ten that we think you should see seemed impossible. Yet here we are. Ten bands we think you should definitely check out at Mangata Festival 2025. It’s going to be one hell of a brilliant day.
Alunah – Rescue Rooms (1315 – 1345)
How about some early afternoon stoner rock, doom, and psych? Alunah have us covered and will, no doubt, deliver a wave of heavy and addictive noise that leaves us all spluttering for breath. It’s going to be so damn groovy.
Recall the Remains – Ghost (1415 – 1445)
Amazing on record and amazing live, Recall the Remains are one of the UK’s best and brightest heavy acts. Their addictive brand of metalcore has turned many heads already and I suspect this might be one of the event’s show stealing sets. They really are that good.
Outer Gods – Red Rooms (1545 – 1615)
Half an hour of extreme metal, Outer Gods’ set at Mangata promises to be one of the heaviest of all. Especially when you consider how intense their new album ‘Dethroned & Devoured’ is. Ugly and harsh music, it’s going to be a neck snapping, head crushing time. Fun, right?
Defences – Ghost (1615 – 1645)
Alternative metal with thought and feeling, Defences are an attention grabbing band whose reputation for their incredible live shows is only matched by the plaudits given out for their studio releases, with their most recent album ‘Shadowlight’ being championed, rightfully so.
MOSKITO – Liquid Library (1645 – 1715)
A little bit punky, a little bit rocky, a little bit noisy, a little bit poppy, but a whole lot of fun. Get your dancing shoes on, MOSKITO are going to be an absolute blast, but don’t be surprised if you end up feeling something too.
Seething Akira – Rescue Rooms (1715 – 1745)
I’d say save some energy for this band, but truth be told, you could be exhausted and they’d still be able to inject life into you. Half an hour seems too short but it’s going to be one hell of a set. Expect to get sweaty and be left with a big smile on the face as they deliver on alternative metal / electronica crossover set to remember.
Black Orchid Empire – Red Rooms (1745 – 1815)
A band with immense power, capable of delivering aggression and heaviness, but also riffy & hooky melodic beauty. They’re a band with layers and all of this is showcased with mighty aplomb when they perform live.
The Five Hundred – Rescue Rooms (1915 – 2000)
A very special band who deliver exceptionally powerful and eccentrically clever music. They are a sensory treat on record and the general consensus is that they’re even better live. Music with heavy power, emotive layers, and haunting atmosphere, this is going to be special.
Moon Reaper – Tap ‘n’ Tumbler (1945 – 2030)
The blackened heavy noise that Moon Reaper deliver is at its most potent in the live environment and anyone who has ever caught them in the flesh can attest to this. Always impressive and always intense, this will be an unforgettable 45 minutes of being engulfed by the void.
Esoterica – Ghost (2130 – 2230)
One of the last bands playing, there can be few better ways for Mangata to wrap up then with the ethereal progressive rockiness of Esoterica. A set that is guaranteed to be as anthemic as it is emotional. They are a band who excel at creating memorable atmosphere.
