North Coast Fest 2026

Kayleigh
Mar 21
5 min read

Proving the hardcore scene is very much still alive up in the North, North Coast Fest's debut year may have had a few technical difficulties but that didn't stop bands and fans from having the best time and getting down the front and into the pits.

Now to say this first year for North Coast Fest went without a hitch would be a lie but everyone made sure the event still ran and ran pretty smoothly from an outside perspective. Kicking off the day as I traveled up from Glasgow I recieved the notification that due to an incident the venue would be moved and therefore the times of the bands were also pushed back. A very minor inconvenience for a casual event goer like me but I'm sure a very stressful morning for all those involved in the planning. Anyway I arrived at the now 2pm start time, despite the chill in the air it was a bright sunny day and the street outside Priory in Aberdeen was steadily filling up with people ready to enjoy a day of hardcore music. Fittingly for a debut year for opening act Claymore this was their first gig together. I entered the small but very full room to this brand new band. Straight of the bat they had people getting involved and warmed up from outside. The band even included a Knocked Loose cover which is always gauranteed to get people singing along.

Shortest Straw were the next act up and their intense set left me desperate for more. A brutal onslaught took place on stage with the Belfast lads taking an almost metalcore approach to their sound but making it more intense, faster and as in your-face as it could possibly be. I was very impressed.

After a quick socialise with friends I was passing the main room where the bands were playing and I was drawn in by the act on stage Woodhall. Now this is a group that I'd never heard of before and too be honest wasn't particularly planning on watching but I couldn't help but make my way in. The energy they posses is as frantic as it is heavy, with fierce melodies, low tones and a band that look like their ready to explode with excitement from playing their set. Woodhall are easily a band that have made their way into one of my favourites of the day.

Speaking of favourites from the day I can't not mention Murderhill. Now these guys I had checked out previously and my expectations were a little high yet they did not disappoint. Again the energy for this set was at 100 or even more from the crowd and the band alike. I'm sure the frontman spent more time in the crowd than anywhere else even joining in with the "buzzball" theme that had been taking place throughout. There was hardly a moment where people weren't shouting about the drink throughout the day and seeing the frontman share one with the crowd furthered the sense of community in the room. Sound wise much like other bands on the night Murderhill demand your attention and they've got a live personality to match. They were the only band to see a member get up on the bar during the set (or at least out of the bands I saw). If you're looking for a band to get your two step on to I'd recommend Murderhill.

Another band I was very excited to see was Dead Mob. Now I checked these guys out when I heard about them playing the fest and I immediately was a fan. The group from Birmingham are even better live than they are recorded Now where a lot of the bands in the night I was just loving their vibes Dead Mob are one where I was completely obsessed with the way they sound too. Vocally they were very impressive and I found myself truly just enjoying listening to them play without any antics. Delivering almost Lorna Shore esque sounds at times this is 1000% a band you should be keeping your eye on.

A band you can boogie and start a pit to would be an appropriate way to describe the next act I saw Black Mould. The hardcore act from the midlands have bouncy rhythms that make you want to have a little dance but with a hardcore edge that's holds an element of danger. Like you can get in this pit and dance but you might not be safe for long when that breakdown comes in, the music will take over and you will be stomping and headbanging before you know it.

The next act I saw was Aberdeen locals Vows. These guys deliver metalcore tracks with a hardcore edge. Vows are a band I've seen probably more times than I can count now but each and every time they seem to get better and this set at North Coast Fest was no exception. I'd heard chatter throughout the day that a large portion of the audience were there to see them and that became even more apparent when the once full room seemed to double in people with everyone squashed in right to the stage. Delivering well known tracks and a new one Vows ran through an energetic set full of fun catchy riffs, hardcore intense moments and sometimes even lighter moments with everything fitting together beautifully.

Sadly due to the times being pushed back I had to run and catch my bus home before the night finished but thankfully I managed to catch a little bit of main support Daturas set before I went. This is another band I've seen a few times now and in their relatively short time together they've already proved why they're becoming one of Scotland's most beloved hardcore acts. Complete with a new lineup since I last saw them these guys seem to be stronger than ever. Much like Vows before them the room was packed right to the front with every single person eager to get involved with the big chuggy tracks. Overall I would say a very successful debut year for North Coast Fest. You could tell that every single person was enjoying themselves, even those I spoke to who were just their to support friends and don't normally go to these kinds of events were loving it. I would love to see North Coast Fest return and maybe return bigger next year, Aberdeen truly proved there is a place for hardcore and whether you traveled there like me or you live in the Granite City I'm sure you would love to go back and do this again.