This Is Hardcore 2025: The Complete Breakdown Of The Lineup, Venue Shift, And Why This Year Is A Must-Attend

The annual pilgrimage for the global hardcore and metalcore community is officially set, with the highly anticipated This Is Hardcore (TIH) Fest 2025 confirming its return to its spiritual home in Philadelphia. As of the current date, December 17, 2025, the full lineup and all essential details have been locked in, promising a return to the festival's raw, intimate roots. This year's event represents a strategic shift, scaling back slightly to focus on the intensity and community that defines the genre, making it one of the most talked-about hardcore gatherings of the year.

For two explosive days, the Philadelphia hardcore scene will be the epicenter of the music world, drawing fans from across the globe to witness a powerful mix of veteran legends and vital new blood. The decision to downsize from larger venues like the Franklin Music Hall (formerly Electric Factory) to a more intimate setting is a deliberate move to recapture the visceral energy of classic hardcore shows, ensuring every set is an unforgettable, high-impact experience.

The Essential Breakdown: Dates, Location, and Format

This Is Hardcore Fest has cemented its legacy since its inception in 2006, becoming one of the longest-running and most respected events in the genre. The 2025 edition honors this tradition while embracing a new, focused intensity.

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The festival's core details are as follows:

• Event Name: This Is Hardcore Fest 2025
• Dates: Friday, August 8th, and Saturday, August 9th, 2025
• Location: Underground Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Format: Two-Day Festival
• Tickets: Tickets were announced to go on sale in March 2025, and fans should check the official website for current availability, as the reduced venue capacity means a faster sell-out.

The move to Underground Arts is a game-changer. This venue is a staple of the local Philadelphia music and arts community, known for its gritty atmosphere and 650-person capacity. This smaller size promises a more sweat-drenched, chaotic, and authentic experience than the multi-stage, larger-capacity events of previous years, ensuring the mosh pit culture is at its absolute peak.

The 2025 Lineup: Legends and the New Guard

The TIH 2025 lineup is a masterclass in curation, blending foundational acts of the genre with the most exciting contemporary bands. The list is designed to satisfy both the hardcore purist and the fan looking for the next big sound in metalcore and hardcore punk. The headlining acts alone are enough to justify the trip, but the depth of the roster is truly impressive.

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Headliners and Must-See Veteran Acts

The top draw for the 2025 festival is the legendary Brooklyn-based band, Merauder. Known for their brutal, metallic hardcore sound, their inclusion guarantees a ferocious set that will likely be the highlight of the weekend.

Other veteran acts delivering crucial, genre-defining performances include:

• Shattered Realm: A major highlight, the band is confirmed to be playing their influential 2002 album, Broken Ties… Spoken Lies… in its entirety. This is a rare opportunity for fans of early-2000s metalcore.
• On Broken Wings: Representing the heavier, more melodic side of the metalcore spectrum, their high-energy performance is a festival staple.
• Death Before: Another essential name bringing a heavy, uncompromising sound to the stage.

The Rising Stars and Essential Entities

The festival's commitment to showcasing the future of hardcore is evident in the inclusion of several explosive newer acts that have been tearing up the scene. These bands are the lifeblood of the current hardcore resurgence and promise some of the most intense sets of the weekend.

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Key contemporary entities confirmed for the 2025 lineup:

• End It: One of the most talked-about bands in modern hardcore, known for their aggressive, no-holds-barred delivery and powerful stage presence.
• Bayway: A formidable name bringing a fresh, heavy dynamic to the festival.
• Raw Brigade: Known for their raw, punk-infused hardcore sound that evokes the genre's earliest days.
• Colin of Arabia: A band that embodies the relentless energy of the hardcore scene.
• Soulless: Bringing a dark, heavy edge to the lineup.
• Street Power: Delivering pure, unadulterated street-level hardcore.
• Limb From Limb: An entity known for their crushing, heavy breakdowns.
• Last Ride: Adding another layer of intensity to the two-day event.

The full list of confirmed entities provides a deep dive into the current state of the genre, covering everything from New York Hardcore (NYHC) veterans to the newest wave of aggressive punk-metal fusion. The sheer number of quality bands—well over 15 and counting—ensures that every moment of the two-day gathering will be packed with high-energy performances.

The Significance of the Underground Arts Shift

The move to Underground Arts marks a significant shift in the festival's identity. In recent years, TIH has often occupied larger venues like the Electric Factory (now Franklin Music Hall), which allowed for massive crowds but sometimes diluted the intimate feel that is central to hardcore culture.

By choosing the 650-capacity Underground Arts, festival founder Joe Hardcore is signaling a return to the festival's roots. This smaller venue fosters a crucial element of the scene: proximity. The crowd is closer to the stage, the energy is more concentrated, and the interaction between the bands and the audience is heightened. This is where the true spirit of the Philly hardcore scene thrives, creating a chaotic, yet communal, atmosphere. The limited capacity also means that the demand for tickets is extremely high, turning the event into an exclusive gathering for the most dedicated fans.

This downsizing is a positive development for those who cherish the unvarnished, DIY ethos of hardcore punk. It ensures that the 2025 edition will be remembered not just for its lineup, but for its intense, authentic atmosphere, making it a pivotal moment in the festival's long history. The focus on a two-day, single-venue event simplifies the experience, allowing attendees to fully immerse themselves in every set without the fatigue of navigating multiple, distant stages. For fans of hardcore music, metalcore, and the pure energy of the mosh pit, This Is Hardcore 2025 at Underground Arts is the definitive event of the year.