Who’s up for a trip to the seaside? Victorious Festival is readying it’s to return to the Solent seafront once again ahead of an incredible weekend of music, comedy, and fun for all the family.
The three-day event welcomes nearly 80,000 fans per day to Southsea Common, Portsmouth, where a mouthwatering variety of musical talent, spanning the breadth of rock & roll, indie-rock, and dance-pop, will whet the appetite across 13 stages. Every year celebrates some of the very best artists and bands out there, whilst also boasting an abundance of upcoming talents who look to establish themselves in the music scene.
This year sees Fatboy Slim, Jamie T and Biffy Clyro top the headline billings on The Common Stage, while Jess Glynn, Pixies, and Wet Leg hit The Castle Stage alongside them; there’s something for everyone! As ever, a breathtaking catalogue of artists including Louis Tomlinson, Courteeners, Idles, Becky Hill and an afternoon guest slot from The Kooks provide the backup, along with promising live acts such as The Covasettes, Harvey Jay-Dodgson and Lexie Carroll. Also returning for 2024 is the coveted Seaside Stage, presented by Beats & Swing, and playing host to numerous DJ sets for festivalgoers to party into the night.
If you’re buzzing to be back along the south coast later this month, then here is just a small, handpicked selection of acts we recommend catching over the weekend!
The Royston Club – Castle Stage – Friday @ 15.05
Swapping the north Wales countryside for the southern shores of Hampshire are indie-rock four-piece The Royston Club. Tom, Ben, Dave & Sam, all from Wrexham where the band began back in 2019, are beginning to cement themselves as a mainstay in the indie scene. With their new single Patch Where Nothing Grows on the way, along with a huge two-night residency at Liverpool’s O2 Academy later this year to look forward to, the boys will be looking to make their Victorious Festival performance one of their best and use it as the perfect advert for their work. A melodic showcase of some of the best indie-rock on offer to kick off your weekend? The Castle Stage is the place to be.
Louis Tomlinson – Common Stage – Friday @ 16.45
One of the names which jumps out from this year’s lineup is Louis Tomlinson, one fifth of previous worldwide sensation boyband One Direction. The Doncaster singer-songwriter has been pathing his own success since the disbanding of 1D back in 2015 and has since released some colossal award-winning singles and collaborations, as well as two records, Walls and Faith in the Future. His performance on Friday is a must-see for festivalgoers, as it will undoubtedly be stacked with renowned hits from every corner of his career and generate a seismic togetherness, as the Faith in the Future inspired show hits the Solent. Why stick around at home listening to the Louis Tomlinson: Live album, when you could be down at The Common Stage experiencing it for yourself!
The Covasettes – Introducing Stage – Friday @ 22.10
Manchester has been the birthplace of music royalties over the years, from Oasis to Take That, among many others. The latest indie-rock quartet fresh out of the city is The Covasettes, a proud product of the Fitz Promotions roster and a group certainly making a name for themselves with a growing following online. The boys have their biggest UK tour to date coming up in the autumn, playing in cities including London, Glasgow and Bristol, and their latest single Love in Polaroid has gauged the attention of many, and garnered tremendous reception. They’re known for their unique, free flowing indie-rock sonic which is easy on the ear and has potential for some future festival anthems too. Victorious will be in for a treat when they take to the stage on Friday night, so don’t miss them!
Crystal Tides – Common Stage – Saturday @ 14.30
Another group fresh from the Fitz Promotions roster are Crystal Tides, who already know a thing or two about playing down along the south coast. The Portsmouth-based four-piece are a driving force in the indie music scene and have captivated audiences across the UK and beyond with their electrifying soundwaves paired with a heartfelt lyrical genius. Victorious is a homecoming performance for the quartet, who have a pivotal slot on Saturday afternoon, and tasked with taking the crowd up a gear. Their festival appearance sits ahead of their biggest ever headline UK tour commencing in September, as they look to garner a bigger devoted fanbase and drive them forward. Fancy hearing what they have to offer, including hit numbers such as Headcase and Courtney Love? Your Saturday afternoon may just be sorted.
Courteeners – Common Stage – Saturday @ 19.50
Formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, Courteeners have become a staple live act in the rock & roll scene. Your summer would be incomplete without hearing at least one of their red-hot anthems performed live, whether you opt for Are You in Love with a Notion or choose Not Nineteen Forever instead. Either way, expect crowds to be delirious when the quartet make their Saturday evening that little bit more special. The group have their shiny new record, Pink Cactus Cafe, set for release later in October, as well as a huge UK arena tour accompanying it into the winter months too. Their performance at Victorious Festival surely warrants new material to make the cut and prepare fans for a big few months ahead. Biding your time whilst choosing who to watch? Make sure Courteeners are on your list.
Harvey Jay-Dodgson – Castle Stage – Sunday @ 14.05
One of the promising artists returning to his home city at Victorious 2024 is solo singer-songwriter Harvey Jay-Dodgson. The 22-year-old has become renowned for his pristine take on indie rock dabbled with a meticulous soul and hip-hop design and perfected over the course of live performing career. His strive to make the big time really does show, as Dodgson was this year’s winner of the Road to Victorious Festival competition, which earned him slots at other UK festivals including Truck and Tramlines before tackling The Castle Stage here. The beginning of 2024 saw Harvey headline Wedgewood Rooms also in Portsmouth, as well as release his most recent single Freedom, which is fantastic. If you’re looking to support some prospective, local talent, and maybe even discover the next huge rock star, then we strongly recommend catching Harvey on Sunday afternoon.
Biffy Clyro – Common Stage – Sunday @ 21.20
Closing the festival for 2024 are rock royalties Biffy Clyro, all the way from Kilmarnock, Scotland and bringing with them their nine award winning albums containing tasteful tunes to suit the occasion. Whilst the three-piece haven’t released new music since 2021’s record The Myth of Happily Ever After, the band will be warmed up perfectly ahead of their special Celebration of Beginnings shows in October, that will indulge fans in the nostalgia of their first three albums. Their music is desirable for all, so whether you’re looking for easy-going tracks like Space, or you want some catchy, heavier numbers such as Wolves of Winter, then their headline billing will be one of the moments of this summer; simply unmissable! It’ll be the best way to round off an unforgettable weekend, and we highly suggest catching a cemented mainstay in the rock music scene.
See you down the front!
