26 June 2025, London: The countdown is on for HYPER JAPAN Festival 2025, the UK’s biggest celebration of Japanese culture. From 18 – 20 July, Olympia London will transform into a vibrant hub of music, food, fashion, gaming, anime and much more – promising something for everyJapan enthusiast. Tickets are on sale now at hyperjapan.co.uk/festival.
Music has always been at the heart of HYPER JAPAN, and 2025 continues that tradition with a stellar lineup celebrating Japan’s music scene. Taking to the main stage is Ai Higuchi, known for powerful track “Akuma no Ko” featured in Attack on Titan, singer and voice actress Yuka Iguchi, recognised for roles in A Certain Magical Index and Goblin Slayer, alternative rock trio Hitsujibungaku, piano virtuoso marasy, whose viral renditions of anime and video game tracks have captivated millions online – and fan favourite Miura Ayme returns for his sixth performance at HYPER JAPAN.
The main stage will also host a special talk and live drawing show with renowned director, animator, designer and cartoonist Maeda Mahiro and anime expert Helen McCarthy. The full line-up of performers can be found at the end of this press release.
Making their UK debut, MAISON GHIBLI will showcase official Studio Ghibli merchandise, working directly with the legendary animation studio’s European distributor. The Bandai Namco Amusement Europe booths will feature the Gashapon™ Bandai Official Shop, Ichibankuji Official Shop, and Gundam Card Game. It will also feature a Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime-themed photo booth, along with a special screening of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- on Friday 18 July at 6:05pm at the main stage of the venue.
Also appearing across the weekend: My Melody and Kuromi from Sanrio will be doing meet & greets on Saturday and Sunday, with a themed photo booth available all three days. Flair, also known as Freya, from Sylvanian Families will be making a special appearance on Saturday to mark the brand’s 40th anniversary in Japan.
Food is always a huge part of HYPER JAPAN, and this year is no exception. Visitors can sample donburi, yakisoba, omurice, wagyu skewers, and much more – plus Japanese cakes, mochi and bubble tea. New for 2025 is the SUNTORY Highball Bar, serving up refreshing whisky highballs and fruity cocktails, while MIO Sparkling Sake offers a lighter, effervescent taste of Japan. Calbee, the No.1 snack company in Japan, returns to the event after drawing huge crowds last year.
The HYPER Market will feature over 450 exhibitors this year, featuring some incredible independent artists and creators. Visitors can shop everything from traditional Japanese tablewareand incenseto anime figures and fashion. Plus, an irresistible range of Japanese snacks,Kewpie products, and premium sake, including umeshu, MIO sparkling sake, and liqueurs. The winner of HYPER JAPAN’s socks design contest will also be available to purchase.
There are also lots of hands-on workshops available to book, covering everything from wagashi making and furoshiki wrapping to Japanese calligraphy and martial arts. For full details and add-on ticket info, head to hyperjapan.co.uk/festival/workshops.
Tickets for HYPER JAPAN Festival 2025 are on sale now. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit hyperjapan.co.uk/festival.
HYPER JAPAN Festival 2025 Details
Venue Olympia Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Dates & Times Friday 18 July 2025: 12:00–20:00 Saturday 19 July 2025: 10:00–20:00 Sunday 20 July 2025: 10:00–17:00
Prices General admission day tickets start from £25.44 (children 10 and under enter free).
After the success of his rave-infused hit “Kiss Girl,”AIROD doubles down on his distinctive style with “Closer,” a melodic yet high-energy techno anthem powered by an irresistible reverse bass and seductive vocal hooks.
Engineered for peak-time dancefloor impact, the track’s dynamic structure builds tension through its punchy kicks and a captivating rave melody, culminating in an exhilarating second drop designed to ignite crowds and lift hands high.
Balancing raw intensity with euphoric synth leads, “Closer” showcases AIROD’s skill in merging classic rave energy with cutting-edge sound design, affirming his reputation as one of techno’s freshest talents.
One of the UKs best festivals returns in just a few weeks. Truck Festival is located in the small Oxfordshire town of Steventon on Hill Farm. It has grown over the years pulling in 1000s of people to enjoy the weekend of live music, comedy, food and more. This year has completely sold out!!
This year sees Bloc Party, Nothing But Thieves, Kasabian and The Courteeners headlining. Along that are 100s of other amazing acts. Here at Summer Festival Guide we have picked a few artists who we think you should check out!
The Clause- Friday- Market Stage -16.45
PG Ciarletta-Friday-This Feeling- 16.45
Alphabet- Friday-Truck-14.15
Westside Cowboy-Saturday-Market-14.15
Cmat-Saturday-Truck-17.00
Better Joy- Sunday-Market-15.00
Chloe Slater-Sunday–Market-16.00
You can download the official Truck Festival app for all stage times and info!
The first wave of performers includes major U.S. headliners Midland and Drake Milligan, and a wealth of acclaimed artists from across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, such as BRIT, Mercury Prize and GRAMMY nominee Seasick Steve, GRAMMY winner Fantastic Negrito, ARIA & Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden, and RIAA Class of 2024 artist Alana Springsteen.
A festival for music lovers on the search for something new, the carefully curated selection of artists joining those listed above include: Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Alana Springsteen, Evan Honer, Gareth, Elles Bailey, Ashley Monroe, Fancy Hagood, Trousdale, Halle Kearns, Kim Churchill, Rainbow Girls, Will Varley & the Southern Rust, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Steady Habits, Janet Devlin, Jaywalkers and a European summer exclusive performance from Chuck Ragan. Speaking with festival co-founder Baylen Leonard on Absolute Radio Country today, Midland frontman Mark Wystrach shared the band’s excitement about performing at The Long Road for the first time: “Getting to play our first [UK] outdoor festival in a beautiful setting, and getting to be headliners is gonna be amazing.”
In addition to main stage performances, stages hosted by returning partners Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, and new stage partner Snakefarm Records, The Long Road will feature Nashville-style songwriter rounds, artist meet and greet opportunities, and afterparties where fans can dance the night away.
More than just a music festival, audiences flock to The Long Road year after year to soak up the Country lifestyle – with U.S. inspired street food and American BBQ, craft beers, dedicated line dancing sessions, campfires, vintage funfair rides, a kids camp, Country-oke, the Lucky Dice Classic Car & Bike show and more – and to experience a family-friendly atmosphere that fulfils the promise of its familiar motto, “Welcome home old friend”.
Check out the 2024 aftermovie here to get a glimpse of what’s in store.
Catering for kings and queens of the open road and lovers of life under canvas in the great outdoors alike, a variety of accommodation options are available: from General Camping; a tree-lined Premium Campsite with upscale amenities closer to the main arena; Live-in Vehicle Fields; Pitch & Park, the luxurious Elwood Park riverside Glamping, now provided by festival veterans and luxury experience specialists Green Yurts. From 2025, payment plans will be available to make Glamping more affordable than ever, while offering luxurious options for those who want a little extra. In addition to the on-site accommodation options, there are also Off Road Lodgings and shuttle bus packages available to purchase in collaboration with local hotels.
Now in its sixth year, The Long Road is delighted to announce several new elements to the festival, to celebrate the growth of the country family and welcome new friends as well:
For the first time, and for Long Roaders attending all weekend, the Rhinestone Stage (main stage) will open from Friday afternoon. This means an even bigger Friday night party, more live performances—including a U.K. exclusive headline set from Drake Milligan—and even more reasons to go all in for the full weekend. Friday will be exclusively available to all weekend Camping and No Camping ticket holders.
Renowned as a platform for showcasing new artists and creating unforgettable memories, The Long Road is also introducing a brand-new sixth stage for 2025: another undercover venue, complete with a hard wood floor perfect for line dancing at the festival. This dedicated space will stay true to The Long Road’s style, with its own unique identity, drawing inspiration from U.S. culture and embodying authentic country charm and aesthetics, and will host songwriter rounds, line dancing, artist conversations, intimate performances, quizzes, and more.
Additionally, 2025 brings Early Camping Access; the Live-In Vehicles campsite, for campervans and caravans, will be open from Thursday August 21 as an optional paid Add On, so early arrivals can settle in, soak up the vibes and gear up for a boot-stompin’ Friday and unforgettable weekend!
The Long Road Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 2025. Weekend, Camping, Day, Kids and VIP tickets available now: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets.
“The Long Road transports you to the States with its BBQ food, Kentucky bourbon masterclasses, a Honky-tonk bar, and an exciting line-up of country music stars.” – The Standard
“Country fans, this one is for you. Get a slide of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place” – Cosmopolitan
“The Long Road delivers it all. It’s an authentic, immersive and welcoming family friendly experience” – Grazia
“Phenomenal… The Long Road continues to cement its legacy as one of England’s premiere country music festivals” – Holler
Line-up Announced Today [A-Z]
Alana Springsteen ★ Ashley Monroe ★ Charles Wesley Godwin ★ Chuck Ragan ★ Drake Milligan ★ Elles Bailey ★ Evan Honer ★ Fancy Hagood ★ Fanny Lumsden ★ Fantastic Negrito ★ Gareth ★ Halle Kearns ★ Janet Devlin ★ Jaywalkers ★ Kim Churchill ★ Larry Fleet ★ Midland ★ Rainbow Girls ★ Seasick Steve ★ Simeon Hammond Dallas ★ Steady Habits ★ Trousdale ★ Will Varley & The Southern Rust
LONDON, U.K. – (April 3, 2025) – The Long Road Festival returns for its biggest year ever in August 2025, today announcing that multiple Brit Award winner, Ivor Novello recipient and GRAMMY nominee James Bay will close the festival as Sunday night’s headliner, adding to previously announced U.S. headline artists Drake Milligan (Friday) and Midland (Saturday).
Set for the August Bank Holiday weekend (Aug. 22-24), and described by DIY as a “haven of country, Americana and roots” music and culture, The Long Road takes place every summer in the grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire.
James Bay, an acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer who will be making his first appearance at The Long Road, released his fourth studio album Changes All The Time last year via Mercury/Republic Records. His seminal, multi-Platinum, UK #1 debut Chaos and the Calm, featuring hits ‘Hold Back The River’ and ‘Let It Go’ was recorded at the famed Blackbird Studio in Nashville with multiple GRAMMY-winning producer Jacquire King, and he has returned to Music City to record and perform frequently throughout his career.
“Country and Americana have always been huge inspirations for me,” shares James. “So much of my music has roots in Nashville – I’ve been lucky to play some of the city’s iconic venues like the Bluebird and the Ryman and I’ve always been drawn to the incredible storytelling in these genres. I can’t wait to close out The Long Road 2025, headlining the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday, August 24th – it’s going to be a special one!”
His acclaimed new album features collaborations with Noah Kahan and The Lumineers on lead single ‘Up All Night’, and writing collaborations with The Killers’ Brandon Flowers (‘Easy Distraction’) and Holly Humberstone (‘Dogfight’).
Having amassed over 9 billion streams to date, and performed alongside musical icons such as Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow, who he just revealed will feature on his next release, Bay upholds traditions of timeless songcraft while confidently challenging himself and popular music in equal measure.
The festival’s Creative Director, Baylen Leonard, adds: “At The Long Road, we’re all about celebrating the best in country, roots, Americana, and always looking to broaden our lineup with something for every music lover. James Bay is one of the finest singer-songwriters out there and is the perfect complement to what we do. Can’t wait for the Sunday sing-along!”
Other artists joining The Long Road lineup today include French rising star Bobbie; acclaimed Canadian-British folk collaborators Bonnie Dobson & the Hanging Stars; Chris Linton; New Orleans-based sibling duo Crowe Boys;homegrown multiple UK Americana Music Award winners Danny & The Champions of the World; Irish-born, Nashville-based folk-pop singer/songwriter Darren Kiely; the self-described “Filipino Cowboy” David Unlayao;Texan Denitia, whose traditional country influences have found her at home as a touring member of the Black Opry artist collective and named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country; Evan Bartels, and First Time Flyers.
Louisiana native and two-time GRAMMY winner Gill Landry also joins the bill, previously a member of Old Crow Medicine Show, who recorded his latest solo album Cinnamon Canyon Blues (2024) in London; along with New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll band Greazy Alice; Jade Turner; Kellie Loder; hit songwriter and Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch Mackenzie Carpenter; Nolan Taylor; Robbie Cavanagh; London roots rock band The Rockingbirds;and renowned Oregon-born artist The White Buffalo, whose music has been featured in numerous films and television shows, from Logan and The Punisher to This Is Us and Sons of Anarchy, the latter earning him a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Check out the 2024 aftermovie here to get a glimpse of what’s in store.
Described by Cosmopolitan as “a slice of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place,” the carefully curated lineup also includes Seasick Steve, Fantastic Negrito, Alana Springsteen, Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Elles Bailey, Ashley Monroe, Fancy Hagood, Janet Devlin, and a European summer exclusive performance from Chuck Ragan.
More than just a wealth of established acts, The Long Road has been at the forefront of helping music fans discover some of the most exciting new artists from across the world, and this year is no exception, with stages hosted by partners Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, and for the first time, Country & Americana powerhouse label Snakefarm Records; along with Nashville-style songwriter rounds, artist meet and greet opportunities, and afterparties.
Returning for its sixth year, The Long Road recently announced several new elements for 2025, to welcome new friends and celebrate the growth of the country family. Audiences will be treated to performances across six stages; The Rhinestone Stage (main stage) – opening from Friday afternoon for weekend ticket holders for the first time this year; the Interstate; The Front Porch; Buddy’s, a country bar nestled among woodland; The Showground, where numerous artists from both sides of the pond have made their debut at the festival; and a brand-new sixth stage, with more details to follow.
The Long Road Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 2025. Weekend, Camping, Day, Kids and VIP tickets available now: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets.
Additional artists announced today [A-Z]:
Bobbie ★ Bonnie Dobson & the Hanging Stars ★ Chris Linton ★ Crowe Boys ★ Danny & The Champions of the World ★ Darren Kiely ★ David Unlayao ★ Denitia ★ Evan Bartels ★ First Time Flyers ★ Gill Landry ★ Greazy Alice ★ Jade Turner ★ James Bay ★ Kellie Loder ★ Mackenzie Carpenter ★ Nolan Taylor ★ Robbie Cavanagh ★ The Rockingbirds ★ The White Buffalo
East London’s celebrated festival All Points East is excited to announce a new wave of acts taking over Victoria Park for Scottish DJ and producer Barry Can’t Swim’s major headline show on Friday 22 August. The new artists added include Orbital, Avalon Emerson, The Blessed Madonna, Prospa, Myd, Saint Ludo, Sam Alfred and WizTheMC.
This festival also brings together the talents of Confidence Man, SHYGIRL, MarlonHoffstadt, DJ HEARTSTRING, Interplanetary Criminal, Salute(presents True Vision), Leon Vynehall, Chloe Caillet and Pretty Girl (live) and more.
An early 90s techno duo, the bright-spark of Orbital’s influential energetic sound is earmarked by nostalgic synth riffs, plucky beats and bright-sounded thrums of electronica. Their acclaimed releases, slapped with memorable names including 91’ Wonky and the beloved 99’ release In The Middle of Nowhere, have made them brotherly purveyors of dance music. Orbital are uniquely their own: a team of former punks turned ravers, the pair will ride the Victoria Park wave, promising a summer rave that feels unforgettable.
Avalon Emerson, one of dance music’s most respected DJs, first emerged from San Francisco’s warehouse scene before relocating to Berlin in 2013, where a decade of Berghain sets cemented her global reputation. Known for transcending genre and time, her DJ sets blend house, techno, disco, new wave, and rave with her own edits and productions. She launched her event series 9000 Dreams in 2019, released a critically acclaimed DJ-Kicks mix in 2020, and followed with remix work for Four Tet, Robyn, and others. In 2023, she unveiled Avalon Emerson & The Charm, a songwriting-forward project that expanded her sonic palette and topped best-of-year lists. Now signed to Dead Oceans, she returns with Perpetual Emotion Machine, a living, evolving project built for her DJ sets, launching alongside a global tour.
Renowned American DJ and producer The Blessed Madonna – real name Marea Stamper – will be bringing a set to remember at this year’s LIDO line-up. Known for her complex and unpredictable tunes, Stamper has collaborated with some of the biggest names you can think of: Dua Lipa, Madonna Missy Elliot, and Gwen Stefani. Today, she’s become a trailblazer in music, earning a Virgin Atlantic Attitude Award in music last year and was hailed Mixmag’s DJ of the year in 2016, becoming the first person to receive the honour.
Leeds-born electronic duo, Prospa are eclectic creators, described as forebearers of “rave euphoria” by Mixmag. The pair meshed their varying influences including dubstep, metal guitar and jazz, before finding their mutual interest in dance music. The release of their hit 2022 single ‘Prayer’ earned them recognition from tastemaker and DJ Annie Mac and cited it as her ‘Hottest Record In The World’. With noted inspiration from Daft Punk to The Chemical Brothers, Prospa is workshopping a rave soundtrack for a new era. Dropping new songs like ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘This Rhythm (feat. RAHH)’ ahead of summer has set them up for a much-anticipated performance at All Points East.
Quentin Lepoutre, better known as Myd, is a French musician, producer, singer and DJ with a distinct knack for blending the heartfelt with the hedonistic. A founding member of Club Cheval, he cut his teeth in the French electronic scene before stepping out solo, earning a name for his warm, leftfield take on dance music. Alongside his own releases, he’s produced for the likes of Brodinski, SCH and Georgio, and built a reputation for joyous, unpredictable live sets.
Saint Ludo is a London-based DJ who mixes a wide variety of genres, mainly a blend of rap-inspired UK bass and party-starters at 140bpm and beyond, in her high energy sets. Saint Ludo is a London-based DJ and producer from Italy. Her high-energy sets are a dynamic fusion of rap vocals layered over UK bass, grime, garage, jungle, and other uptempo club genres, kicking off at 140bpm and racing to a high-octane 170bpm finale. A staple on the airwaves, Saint Ludo hosts a monthly show on legendary Rinse FM, where she curates a mix of dance, bass, jungle and more productions from all over the globe – infused with her signature playful energy.
Redefining what Aussie dance tracks can sound like, Sam Alfred is the deckslinger that needs to be queued up on your playlist. Making his mark with his iconic Sydney Boiler Room set to be named as “one of the top 10 Australian DJs in the EDM scene” by Beat Magazine, Alfred is
becoming more than a one-country star. With a flair of jazz-tipped house and UK garage build, the young DJ is quickly becoming a must-see act.
WizTheMC is a genre-defying South African artist based in Berlin, known for his global appeal and infectious sound. After early releases Blessings in Disguise and Backintoronto (2018), and his 2020 mixtape Growing Teeth, he broke through with 2021’s feel-good anthem “For a Minute,” now at over 76 million Spotify streams. His 2022 EP Where Silence Feels Good showcased his knack for earworm hooks and genre-blending production. In 2025, Wiz dropped “Show Me Love,” a sun-soaked hit with 123.7 million Spotify streams and 1.2 billion TikTok views. It peaked at No. 5 in the UK and No. 14 in Germany, with a high-profile remix featuring Tyla and a standout Coachella performance.
Barry Can’t Swim joins the All Points East 2025 headliners including Cleo Sol (15 August), Chase & Status (16 August), RAYE (22 August) and The Maccabees (24 August).
More All Points East headliners are to be announced. For more information and to sign up for presale, visit www.allpointseastfestival.com.
For 2024, All Points East welcomed another round of huge headliners Kaytranada, Loyle Carner, Mitski, LCD Soundsystem, APE presents Field Day and The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie and carefully curated guest line ups for each day.Between the weekends, In The Neighbourhood returned for four days of activities and free entry in Victoria Park.
Get ready for an unforgettable retro extravaganza making it’s debut featuring iconic artists, music, and tribute acts spanning decades of hits—from the ’70s to the noughties—across three incredible stages! Featuring performances by Belinda Carlisle, Go West, Roachford, Katrina (Katrina & The Waves), Tiffany, and a DJ set from Martin Kemp!
Reminisce Classical! A live orchestral journey through the biggest anthems that defined a generation of clubbers will also be making their debut. This breath-taking experience will bring the dancefloor classics you love to life like never before for a night of pure nostalgia and unbeatable vibes..
Retrospective Festival is bought to you by In Demand – The creators of the hugely successful 90’s Pop and Dance Festival Reminisce. Without a single act announced, yet on this year’s bill Reminisce, has already sold out it’s 25,000 tickets – such is the love for this fantastic annual 12- hour party in Sherdley Park. Not only has the festival grown year on year to a now full capacity arena with 8 banging stages, but it sells out as soon as Early Bird Tickets Go On Sale! This year Reminisce will be held on Saturday 6th September and for sure will present all the usual sunshine, smiles and a stellar line up of the best acts the 90’s club scene enjoyed. Expect all the festival favourites and always a surprise or two at the top of the bill.
If you haven’t bagged your ticket to Reminisce yet, tickets to their brand-new festival Retrospective are now on sale. The same great production and a line up bursting at the steams with stars from our great musical heritage.
Get ready to dance and sing along to the sounds of legendary music acts and unforgettable performers! Uptown Festival 2025 will feature an incredible lineup with iconic acts and all-time favourite performances. Relive the music of past decades and enjoy a festival experience that unites generations, with three exceptional stages. Our Main Stage will host legendary performers, while our dedicated tent will showcase a variety of iconic acts. Little Town will bring the best of nostalgic tunes for the young (and the young at heart). Whether you’re a fan of hits from the past or a lover of timeless music, Uptown always delivers great talent, making it one of the UK’s top nostalgic music festivals.
At Uptown Festival, we’ve designed an event packed with fun for all ages. From interactive family-friendly entertainment to our dedicated kids area, ‘Little Town,’ featuring stage takeovers, non-stop fun, and rides, there are endless ways for your little ones to enjoy the day. Discover one of the best things to do with kids in London and create lasting memories at one of the most family-friendly festivals in the UK.
Uptown Festival isn’t just about music – it’s about bringing families and friends together to make long-lasting memories. Whether you’re visiting with young children, teens, or grandparents, the festival caters to all generations. Enjoy family-friendly food options from delicious local traders, and quench your thirst at our fully-stocked bars and e-bars with refreshing drinks for both adults and kids, brought to you by some of our favourite partner brands. This is truly one of the best family festivals in the UK!
And for those looking to elevate their experience, our exclusive and comfortable VIP area offers an adults-only retreat (+18 only). With premium amenities and a more intimate atmosphere, it’s the perfect space to unwind and enjoy the festival in style.
The festival is a family fun day out with lots to do for all ages, a great atmosphere and a fab line up of support acts being announced very soon. There will be DJ’s, more bands and a dedicated kids arena – Little Town that runs during the daytime. Adult Tickets start at £52.
The Isle of Wight festival is one of the UK’s largest, oldest, and without a doubt, most prestigious events.
Under John Giddings expert leadership, the festival has gone from strength-to-strength. It is always tough to follow in the footsteps of previous events, especially when it’s seen legendary performances from rock royalty including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan or even The Who grace the island – but each year the festival gets bigger and better.
2025 is no exception and it can easily be said that this year, it has attracted a true superstar. Whereas the mighty Glastonbury opens this weekend and is attracting artists who have played the IOW festival in previous years, such as the Prodigy, the island attracted exclusive headliners who can rival performances from the glory days – including the self titled Prince of Pop – Justin Timberlake.
Justin even said himself on stage “I’ve been trying to get to Isle Of Wight for years and years and years and it’s everything I thought it was”‘.
Thursday was previously a day to set up tents, but now it’s a full-on four day festival, offering a diverse mix of 80s and 90s nostalgia, singalong indie and award-winning rap.
The festival began in the warm Big Top with The Smiths tribute band The Smyths – they are arguably more enjoyable to watch than Morrissey these days due to his questionable ramblings, so a tribute band is preferable. Their set included all the classic 80s tunes including ‘Ask‘, ‘Panic‘, ‘This Charming Man‘, and finishing with ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out‘, with the darkly-comic lyrics
“...if a double-decker bus, crashes into us To die by your side, Is such a heavenly way to die…“
If only Morrissey would still play these timeless classic songs himself.
The party really started afterwards with Rhythm Of The 90s playing classic dance-anthem after dance-anthem and getting the crowd singing and swaying in the sweltering heat of the Big Top. Charming indie-rock from The Pigeon Detectives followed with an energetic set, before Thursday night headliner Example lept on to the stage with his heartfelt hits, including ‘Kickstarts‘ and ‘Change The Way You Kiss Me.‘ What a great opening evening, with so much more to come.
Friday began on the main stage with The Lottery Winners – one of Summer Festival Guide’s favourite festival highlights – singer Thom Rylance always entertains and makes the crowd laugh with warm stories and good humour between songs.
With both the main stage and Big Top in full flow on Friday (as well as a handful of other stages across the huge festival site), it’s impossible to see everything on offer. The Corrs family returned after a few years absence with their charming singalong moments including the classic ‘Breathless.’ It’s great to have them back and impossible not to enjoy them on a beautiful day.
Sting followed and displayed what an impressive musician and songwriter he is. Mixing his solo material with classics from The Police, including Message In A Bottle, Roxanne, Englishman In New York, and of course, Every Breath You Take. He is currently embarking on a world tour entitled Sting 3.0, and this new revival as a tight three-piece was electric.
It would seem impossible to follow Sting and many festivals across the UK would draw to a close after such a performance, but Faithless brought more glamour to the main stage. Sister Bliss performed with their full live band and impressive light show, concluding of course with the impressive Insomnia – how anyone could get to sleep after all that is a mystery.
After a strong Friday, things stepped up even further on Saturday.
Eurovision entry Mae Muller began proceedings on the main stage, playing her new song Hello Kitty for the first time. It was good to have her back on stage.
Irish charmers The Saw Doctors jigged with endless charisma and are a must-see for anyone who loves good old fashioned folk and beaming smiles – there was zero pretensions in their performance. It truly shows how eclectic the mix at the festival is that it can seamlessly mix pop classics, with these timeless singalongs from County Galway.
Razorlight followed and it was impressive quite how many well known songs Johnny Borrell has written. Arriving on the indie music scene at the same time as The Killers in the early 2000s, it’s amazing these guys aren’t bigger, with fan favourites including America, Golden Touch, In The Morning, and Somewhere Else.
Busted followed on from McFly’s great performance at the festival last year in 2024 with a high energy leaping performance, refusing to grow older gracefully with their teen angst anthem Year 3000, Air Hostess and What I Go To School For (oddly for 40 something Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis to be singing, but when it’s this entertaining, who cares…)
Over in the Big Top, Pale Waves dazzled a huge overflowing tent with their indie-pop and impressive goth imagery before English Teacher demonstrated why they confidently won the Mercury Music Prize for their debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’. Definitely ones to watch and surely they’ll be gracing the main stage in the coming years.
Paul Heaton played an incredible collection of songs from his solo work, as well as many of his tunes from The Housemartins (Happy Hour, Caravan of Love) and The Beautiful South (Rotterdam, A Little Time, Song For Whoever.) With his tour billed as Heatongrad, he’s lost none of his fight for the working man and good causes.
The Script drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, having played the festival four times previously according to singer Danny O’Donoghue. The band confessed they did not understand their mass appeal, but upon concluding with their huge hit ‘Hall of Fame‘, it was clear many of the audience had bought their tickets purely on the basis of this band, with both male and female sexes singing every word back to the band. A truly magical moment.
It’s hard to believe after all that on Saturday that there were still two legendary bands to come (well even more if you’re a faster walker than the author…)
Legendary Welsh rockers Stereophonics returned to the Isle of Wight festival stage with a stomping version of ‘Vegas Two Times‘. before playing a greatest hits setlist, finishing with masses of ticker-tape and their song ‘Dakota’ with the beautiful line ‘You made me feel like the one‘, emblazoned on many t-shirts throughout the festival site.
Supergrass concluded the evening in style over in the Big Top, playing their classic album ‘I Should Coco‘ in full, before launching into many of their other greatest hits. It’s 30 years ago since this reviewer saw them at Glastonbury in 1995, and although both the band and the writer have grown older, the songs immediately transport back to the Britpop glory days. Hey, Gaz Coombes must have a picture of Dorian Gray in his loft as he still sounds the same, even when booming out “We Are Young…and feel Alright“
Sunday began a little jaded but with possibly the most impressive back-to-back day of music the festival has seen in many years. There was truly something on offer for everyone.
Bjorn Again began with the most impressive Abba tribute act, before Ella Eyre impressively flicked her incredible locks of hair around the newly erected runway platform with such an energetic performance. Despite confessing on her own Instagram posts that she felt so nervous before taking to the stage to a festival crowd for the first time in almost 10 years she didn’t let it break her and was a pure joy to watch.
Also making great use of the expanded stage on Sunday was Olly Murs. He’s come such a long way from his X-Factor trials, and gave the crowd some impressive moves and singalong pop tunes. With millions of views of his hits on YouTube, it could be argued he was even more impressive than his Soccer Aid friend Robbie Williams who headlined this huge festival in 2023. He’s a natural born performer and entertainer.
Texas followed and singer Sharleen Spiteri was a true professional. Joking that she was delayed getting to her dressing room as she had to wait for Olly Murs entourage to clear backstage, she clearly showed her years of experience, and Scottish charm. Dressed all in black with a beautiful lime green guitar, she played songs from her extensive catalogue including ‘Halo‘ and ‘Say What You Want‘ – we really did adore her.
In the Big Top, another Eurovision band Remember Monday graced the line-up. Although newcomers to this writers ears, it’s clear the band’s all female lineup had plenty of experience of performing, including appearances in the west end in Matilda, Mary Poppins and even Les Miserables. Of course they couldn’t leave without performing their biggest hit ‘What The Hell Just Happened‘.
What an impressive lineup. The artists listed above would be sufficient and surpass the bill of most events in the UK, even the mighty Glastonbury this weekend.
But the biggest name to grace the festival was still to arrive on stage.
Justin Timberlake. The prince of pop is a born entertainer and he did not disappoint. Prowling every inch of the stage from the left/right hand side, down the runway/walkway, and even leaving the stage to greet his adoring fans, he didn’t leave a single inch of the arena untouched.
It was clear what separates Justin from the average performer, and his band, The Tennessee Kids were equally sublime. Every move, every beat and each and every note was choreographed and executed down to the wire.
The hits flowed, with ‘Cry Me a River’, ‘Rock Your Body’, ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ and ‘SexyBack‘ amassing over a billion (yes one billion) views on YouTube alone.
The only tough part of the set was that Summer Festival Guide favourites James were billed at pretty much the same time within the Big Top. I guess that meant that the crowd for Justin wasn’t as diverse as it could have been, but meant there was something for everyone, particularly those who wanted to ‘Sit Down‘ after such a busy weekend at the festival.
Justin said himself “You made a Tennessee boy’s dreams come true”. He’s not the only one who loved it.
All in all, this is the best Isle of Wight festival that Summer Festival Guide have attended. The artists, the music, the ambience, the weather, but most importantly the crowd all appeared to be having the time of their lives.
Roll on 2026. Next year Glastonbury is taking a year off, so hopefully it’ll be clear to more people what the best festival in the UK now is…and it’s not on the mainland.
Early bird tickets for 2026 have already gone on sale and are available at:
Ministry of Pride will take placeon July 5th at the South London Superclub
On 5 July, Ministry of Pride returns with a statement of sound that is bold, loud and unapologetically queer. Taking over all rooms of Ministry of Sound, an all-LGBTQ+ lineup featuring Fat Tony, Catz ‘N Dogz, FAFF, Josh Harrison, Princess Julia, Reenie, Tete Bang and NOT BAD FOR A GIRL to remind everyone what Pride is really about: freedom, identity and a full spectrum of self-expression at London’s Ministry of Sound.
Leading the charge is DJ Fat Tony, a true legend in UK nightlife who has long been a tastemaker, provocateur, and author. The recently married queer icon continues to break barriers in a scene still dominated by straight male energy, not least with his recent signing to Defected.
His eclectic and essential DJ sets are raw, electric, and have seen him hold residencies from Limelight to Ibiza, play Glastonbury and Glitterbox, and soundtrack Versace runways. On the day of the party, he drops the first single from HARD CAMP, a new collaborative EP with KDA, his longtime peer, creative partner, and friend.
Joining him are Polish house music heavyweights Catz N Dogz, London duo FAFF, nightlife legend Princess Julia, dynamic selector Josh Harrison, alt-pop performer Reenie, drag icon Tete Bang, and genre-crushing collective Not Bad For A Girl, all of whom proudly part of the LGBTQ+ community.
From hard house and vogue beats to disco attitude and underground fire, Ministry of Pride is a celebration of queer joy and a resistance to normalisation you don’t want to miss.
