Victorious 2025

Victorious Festival has always been known for its scenic backdrop and eclectic lineups, but this year was defined for us by the unique, on-the-ground moments that make a festival truly unforgettable.

From an impromptu circle pit to a …, it was a weekend that proved the best memories are often the ones you don't plan.

Friday: A Day of High-Energy Beginnings

Friday was all about raw energy and powerful performances. The day kicked off with an artsy band whose stage presence was a work of art in itself. man/woman/chainsaw played a brilliant set with nice music that built into a crescendo, punctuated by a screaming electric violin and a cartwheel on stage.

Over on the Main Stage, The Charlatans swaggered through a set of their signature long songs in the blazing sun. The day took on a surreal quality as a hang glider floated overhead and a lone butterfly weaved its way through the very centre of the thick crowd, a moment of peaceful chaos that perfectly captured the festival's atmosphere.

But for many, the highlight of the entire festival was the afternoon set from Sprints. The band delivered a performance so electrifying that they changed their setlist on the fly, feeding off the crowd's amazing energy. In a moment of pure rock and roll bliss, they indicated that they wanted a circle pit, and one promptly opened up. This wasn't a dark, late-night pit—this was a full-on circle pit at 2 PM on a Friday on the Main Stage in the sunshine, a sight to behold. Their set was a masterclass in great energy and presence, featuring songs from their album Feast Heavy and the standout track "Rage."

The day continued with Ash, who played a crowd-pleasing set of their hits, including "Shining Light," "Girl From Mars," and "Kung Fu." They also threw in a separate and particularly memorable punk-infused calypso song. The crowd reception was excellent for all the day’s bands, building the perfect foundation for the headliners. The night ended with a split bill, with the high-energy performance of Kaiser Chiefs followed by Queens of the Stone Age on the Main Stage, while Madness brought their timeless fun to the Castle Stage, creating a truly memorable Friday.

Saturday: The Value of Going In Early

Saturday was a more sparsely filled day with bands of personal interest, but it was a day that proved the immense value of showing up early to discover something new. That discovery came in the form of The Pill, an incredibly engaging and brilliant band from the Isle of Wight. Their 12 PM set was filled with a great sense of humour and songs about being posh and blonde, as well as the track "Woman Driver." The crowd was fully captivated when the band had everyone turn around to check for mullets as a playful nod to their song "Hate a Man with a Mullet," with the brilliant banter that hairdressers were closed until Tuesday because of the bank holiday. It was a hilarious and high-energy performance that highlighted the value of their first headline tour, which will be stopping at the Southampton Joiners on October 1, 2025, and their new EP, THE EP, featuring the single "POSH."

Later in the day, the Main Stage was treated to a dose of fun from Rizzle Kicks, who delighted the crowd by doing their signature "mama do the up" dance.

Sunday: A Day of Mixed Fortunes

Sunday started early, with a quick glimpse of Balancing Act from Manchester before heading to the Castle Stage for Overpass. They were followed by the incredible Young Knives, whose set was a definite highlight, with beach balls bouncing through the crowd during songs like "Hot Summer," "Barbarians," "Fresh Meat," "Terra Firma," and "The Decision." A particularly poignant moment came during "Fresh Meat" when they unfurled a banner—a simple white sheet with words on it—a subtle but powerful statement that added a layer of context to the day, given the earlier controversies of the weekend.

The flow of music was then broken up by the comedy of Jasper Carrott on the Main Stage. While it was a unique choice for the festival, it was an interesting move that felt a little out of place with the musical energy of the day. The musical momentum returned with The Zutons, who delivered a very good set with a thick sound that got the crowd dancing and enjoying the sunshine.

However, the final highlight of the day belonged to Bloc Party. Their set was a great mix of their newer, dancier tracks and the classics from their iconic 2005 album, Silent Alarm. Frontman Kele was his usual expressive and talented self, giving a great performance that included coming down from the stage to interact with the crowd. While the initial crowd interaction was really good, the moment soured on the way back when, in a moment of over-bravado, he deliberately knocked over cups of water that security had placed out for the people at the front in the scorching weather.

Overall, it was a weekend full of great music and unforgettable moments. While not every performance was a perfect fit, the experience was a true testament to the joy of live music and the little moments that make a festival truly yours.

Victorious Festival/Strong Island: tom langford

Victorious Festival/Strong Island: tom langford

Victorious Festival/Strong Island russ leggatt

Victorious Festival/Strong Island russ leggatt