Festival season is in full swing, and whether you’re a seasoned tent-pitcher or planning your first field adventure, 2025 has already served up some unforgettable moments. From genre-defining weekends to immersive experiences, here’s your essential guide to the festivals that turned heads and the ones you won’t want to miss.

Still to Come: Festivals You Need on Your Radar

Photo Credit: Harbinson

Somerset House Summer Series

10–20 July | Somerset House, London
Intimate, Iconic, Unmissable

Set against the grand courtyard of Somerset House, this open-air series delivers a truly special atmosphere. Celebrating 25 years as a cultural icon, the Summer Series continues to pair legendary artists with rising stars in a setting unlike any other.

Line-Up Highlights: St. Vincent, Giggs & Family, Rizzle Kicks, Akinola Davies Jr, Jacob Banks, Freya Ridings, and more.

Don’t Miss:
- Stunning acoustics and heritage surroundings.
- The rare chance to see major acts up-close in central London.


Photo Credit: Harris Tomlinson

Truck Festival

July | Hill Farm, Oxford
The UK’s Most Warped Village Fête + A Rite of Passage for Alt Fans

Truck has become the proving ground for the UK’s indie elite. With its chaotic charm, unforgettable atmosphere, and killer line-ups, it’s one of the most beloved smaller festivals for good reason.

Line-Up Highlights:
Kasabian, Nothing But Thieves (UK exclusive), Courteeners, Bloc Party, Blossoms, Franz Ferdinand, The Last Dinner Party, CMAT, Wunderhorse, Natasha Bedingfield, Songer, Fat Dog, Sports Team, Fish56Octagon, and more.

Don’t Miss:
- A circle pit to the Oxford Symphony Orchestra (yes, really).
- The feeling of discovering your new favourite band in a field.


Photo Credit: Derek Bremner

Boomtown

August | Winchester, Hampshire
The World’s Most Immersive Festival

Boomtown isn’t just about the music it’s an entire city. With its theatrical storytelling, maze-like districts, and stunning set design. It offers a deep-dive into a fictional world powered by music, rebellion, and imagination.

Line-Up Highlights:
Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, Sean Paul, Maribou State, Overmono, Hybrid Minds, Nia Archives, Azealia Banks, RUDIM3NTAL, Honey Dijon, Congo Natty, Interplanetary Criminal, Ms Dynamite, and more.

Don’t Miss:
- Exploring 12 main stages + 50+ hidden venues
- Shaping your own story via Boomtown’s live-action storyline


Photo Credit: Emily Marcovecchio

Reading & Leeds Festival

August | Reading & Leeds
The Definitive UK Festival Weekend

Still the place where music history is made, Reading and Leeds 2025 brings together the most vital artists across pop, hip-hop, metal, indie and dance. This year sees exclusives, bold debuts, and a new wave of headliners that reflects the next generation.

Line-Up Highlights:
 Chappell Roan, Travis Scott (only EU show), Bring Me The Horizon, Hozier, Limp Bizkit, D-Block Europe, Enter Shikari, Becky Hill, AJ Tracey, The Kooks, Bloc Party, Conan Gray, Amyl and the Sniffers, Suki Waterhouse, and more.

Don’t Miss:
- Chappell Roan’s first-ever UK headline festival slot
- The biggest camping overhaul in UK festival history

hmv’s Festival Round-Up: The Best So Far This Year

Wide Awake Festival

Photo Credit: Connor Weir

May | Brockwell Park, London
A cult favourite for fans of boundary-pushing indie, Wide Awake returned in 2025 with one of its boldest line-ups yet. Kneecap brought chaos, CMAT delivered charm, and Peaches, COBRAH, and Mannequin Pussy electrified a crowd ready for noise, politics, and passion.

SMR Festival

Photo Credit: Jane Evans Photography

May | Stevenage

In its debut year, SMR Festival impressed with a diverse three-day run. Rock thundered in on Friday with Skindred and Bob Vylan, pop took over Saturday with Ella Henderson and Sigala, and Richard Ashcroft closed out Sunday in classic Britpop style alongside The Zutons and The Futureheads.

Bludfest

Photo Credit: Saoirse Heydon

June | Milton Keynes Bowl

 A festival curated by and for outsiders, Yungblud’s Bludfest was loud, emotional and full of surprises including a guest appearance from Billy Idol. With Denzel Curry, blackbear, Rachel Chinouriri, Peach PRC, and more, it was raw, inclusive and unfiltered.

Parklife

Photo Credit: Saoirse Heydon

June | Heaton Park, Manchester

Always a major calendar event, Parklife 2025 saw 50 Cent and Charli XCX take the top slots, alongside dance and hip-hop powerhouses like Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou, Bicep, Rudimental, and Steve Angello. Big names, big beats, and an even bigger crowd.

LIDO Festival

Photo Credit: Connor Weir

June | Victoria Park, London

 Dreamy and forward-thinking, LIDO delivered a next-gen vision of what a London city festival can be. With Massive Attack, Jamie xx, Arca + Sampha + Romy, and Charli XCX, plus B2Bs from Shy FX & Tim Reaper and Nia Archives & Jamie xx, it was a masterclass in genre fusion—and eco innovation, thanks to battery-powered stages.

And Many More...

Whether you're into mosh pits or moonlit DJ sets, there's something for everyone this summer and plenty already locked in for next year. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for resale drops, secret sets, and surprise appearances.

Planning your soundtrack? Pop into your local hmv or browse online to grab the albums, vinyl and merch from all the artists lighting up this year’s stages.

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