Progressive metal band Loathe has been added as headliners to the 2023 edition of UK Tech-Fest. The Liverpool based band are a late headline edition to the festival that gets underway in two weeks time.
UK Tech-Fest have further announced that it will be the final year in which the festival operates in its current form, with organisers confirming that the event will be undergoing changes going forward. Tech-Fest has traditionally been a four day on-site camping festival, taking place near Nottingham. The festival’s aim has been to celebrate metal music that is both more tech oriented as well as progressive.
Began in 2011, the festival prides itself on featuring diverse, up and coming bands within progressive and experimental metal that are noted for their innovation and creativity. The festival offers a fully inclusive atmosphere where bands and fans alike have the opportunity to network and share ideas.
Speaking on the future of the festival, the event said, “we are taking this opportunity as a new beginning. The main even will return in a different form down the line.”
Pulling a headlining slot represents a huge opportunity for Loathe who are often cited as one of the most exciting new bands within the UK scene and beyond. Formed in 2011 by guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe, the band signed to SharpTone Records in 2016, re-issuing their first EP Pepare Consume Proceed. From there, the group began grabbing the attention of critics and fans alike, with many praising the sound and experimentation of songs.
Nominated for awards from the likes of Metal Hammer Magazine and featuring on festivals such as Slam Dunk and Download, the band looked set to explode as a major force within the scene when the Covid pandemic struck leaving many bands considering their survivals. The band persevered, releasing songs and projects that sustained interest for listeners before the band had a chance to get back to performing live.
Loathe, often a difficult band to pigeon-hole into one particular genre or sound, have been praised for incorporating elements of electronics to boost the atmosphere of certain songs which many critics have cited as an effective accompaniment to their djenty, industrial sound. This has proved a real positive for the band, allowing them to fit seamlessly on bills with a number of different acts within a variety of genres.
Loathe are now in the midst of working on their next full length release while having recently announced a run of tour dates in the US with Chevelle and Three Days Grace.
Tech-Fest will take place from Thursday, 29 June to Monday, 3 July. Find tickets to UK Tech-Fest here. Find tickets to Loathe in Europe and the UK here.
Loathe UK Tour:
19/06/2023 – Hole 44 – Berlin, Germany
20/06 – Backstage (Werk) – Munich, Germany
21/06 – Gebäude 9 – Cologne, Germany
22/06 – Jera On Air – Ysselsteyn, Netherlands
23/06 – Outbreak Fest – Manchester
24/06 – Full Force Festival – Gräfenhainichen, Germany
05/07 – 2000Trees – Cheltenham
13/07 – The Roundhouse – London
28/07 – Radar Festival – Manchester
16/08 – ArcTanGent – Compton Martin
