Metal Junkbox has taken a trip down to Nottingham today for the Mangata Festival. With temperatures being one of the hottest days of the year, the 5-stage festival layout is shaping up to be a perfect day. Our action plan today was to check out each of the 5 stages, check out what is on offer in Mangata marketplace, and even a sneak peek at next year’s line-up
Red Rum – Rescue Rooms – Liquid Light Stage
Starting our day off, we take a trip over to the Rescue Rooms stage where Nottingham’s very own pirates from Red Rum are setting up to take over the early stages of today’s festival! With their red, smoky stage, the Folk Metal band takes the stage, captivating the growing crowd with their smooth transitions and fast-paced storytelling. Red Rum is such a fun way to start the day. The attention to detail that they put into their set makes it fun and unique.
Godeth – Red Rooms – BSB TV Stage
Next up, we head up to see Groove-death metal’s very own Godeth, who earlier in the week released a brand new single, “Leeches”. Coming back for their second year at the Mangata festival, from packing out last year’s room, to packing out this year’s room again! The Leeds band grabs their audience by collecting them and holding them tight on the stage needs to be much bigger for them as they are quickly outgrowing each stage they perform on. With a wall of death and multiple mosh pits opening up, Godeth are ones to be watching on the scene!
Moskito – Liquid Library – Heavy Metal Hairdresser Stage
Heading off out of the main hub of Mangata festival now, and a few short minutes away, we arrive at the Heavy Metal Hairdresser stage over at the Liquid Library to catch up with Moskito the dark melodies and dance elements bring this band to life with them becoming a quick favourite on my radar there unique sound packs out the room. Moskito are a band built for a good and strong time, and that is exactly what they have come to do today!
Waterlines – Ghost Nightclub – SickSet Media
Coming up to our next high-energy and powerful band, we have Yorkshire’s very own Waterlines, who are dominating the festival scene right now! The SickSet Media Stage, hosted in Ghost Nightclub, has is quite a unique set-up for the bands playing today, with the band being stretched along the short stage (although nicely enough so us photographers can get some clear drummer shots). Waterlines just bring the power, passion, and energy to every set. They are climbing the ladders and dominating the scene!
Wolves Don’t Sleep – Tap & Tumbler
Hidden about a 5-minute walk away from today’s venue is our 5th stage, Tap and Tumbler, the honey trap of today’s festival, as once you’re down there, you tend to stick around the pub for the rest of the day. It seemed to be a go-to for most of the smaller bands. Sneaking our way down to the front stage for Wolves Don’t Sleep, whom I last saw in Nottingham 6 months prior. The band just commands the crowd, who are almost face-to-face with the band. With fans pouring in from every open door, I’m surprised people hadn’t gotten onto the stage within the first few songs. The Metal band just played such a strong set, and they are another band that needs to be put on a much bigger stage!
Blanket – Red Rooms – BSB TV Stage
Finishing up our day with a quick photo gallery on Blanket while waiting for the main headliners to start back on the Rescue Room Stage.
The Raven Age – Rescue Rooms – Liquid Light Stage
With today’s festival speeding past, our last band for the evening is The Raven Age. With fans pouring in from the other stages, the Modern British Metal band have been taking over the scene, opening up for Iron Maiden, Alterbridge, and taking over the festival scene. Coming out under a red smokie stage, their smooth sound has been perfectly crafted for them. They fit perfectly together and perform a strong and crowd-capturing set. Hooking you in at every moment and not releasing you even if you wanted to break free, they are spellbinding. The band’s strong set is only going to get bigger and stronger. They will be selling out arenas one day!
Mangata Festival Overview
With that, our festival day is over. Like with all festival’s they do have some amazing points and points to improve on. The market, which was provided, showcased some incredible talent, but they could have more than 5 stalls by taking over the other side of the band merch and festival merch. It felt a little lacking from what I thought it was going to be. As well as the main area food being Burgers and waffles, it sold incredibly well, but also led a lot of people to walk back to the main streets to grab food.
I also have to add the lack of medical staff, which some venues didn’t have any of, and security didn’t have a clue what to do. This is a thing that got out and around the press area very quickly, and as accidents do happen, something that should be quickly looked into for future festivals.
One good thing is bands playing to filled-up rooms, most of the bands on today’s review could do with being on bigger stages, but it was also an amazing feeling to witness the bands being celebrated for their achievements in music!
With Tap and Tumbler being a bit far out, it kinda became a honey trap of you either stayed there or stayed at the main four stages. My final part was naming two stages with very similar names, the Liquid Night Stage (aka Rescue Rooms) and Heavy Metal Hairdresser stage (Aka Liquid Library). When asking staff for directions to the stages, it’s very confusing to have two names very similar, but with one being a stage and a building.
Mangata have already released the first 6 bands of the 2026 festival, which will take place on an unspecified date. For more information, click here.
Live interview with Godeth from Mangata coming soon!