At Primavera Sound 2025, the festival’s celebration of bold, boundary-pushing pop and indie was on full display, led by a powerful roster of female headliners including Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Their performances embodied the festival’s inclusive, vibrant spirit, a gathering where new talent shares the spotlight with revered favourites.
The weekend buzzed with energy, from the shimmering dream pop of Beach House to the punk-fuelled roar of IDLES, and the poetic intensity of Fontaines D.C. Primavera Sound continues to impress with its rare balance: a global lineup delivering intimate moments and euphoric crowd surges across Barcelona’s sunlit stages.
Day 1 – Thursday 5th June 2025
Amore – Estrella Damm Stage, 17:15:
Barcelona’s own Amore set a powerful tone to open the Estrella Damm stage. Their bilingual dream-pop melded melancholy and drama, with “Llora Que Te Llora” and “Favorita” stirring raw emotion. Confetti bursts and crowd chants brought the festival to life early, their charisma lighting the afternoon sun.
Kate Bollinger – Revolut Stage, 18:05:
Virginia’s Kate Bollinger offered a softer, hazy indie-pop interlude on the Revolut stage. Her intimate stage presence and gently drifting melodies created a personal connection with the growing crowd in the early evening light. Backed by a tight live band, her breezy grooves and jazz-tinged rhythms offered a calm, soulful moment amid the festival’s busier chaos. Standouts like “Grey Skies” and “Yards / Gardens” washed over the audience like a warm breeze -subtle, sincere, and quietly captivating.
Beabadoobee – Estrella Damm Stage, 19:15:
Beabadoobee returned to Primavera with a tight band and a set full of grunge-infused diary entries. Fan favourites like “10:36,” “Perfect Pair,” and “Cologne” had the crowd singing along, her honest banter making the experience feel intimate despite the large audience.
Cassandra Jenkins – Amazon Music Stage, 19:45:
New York’s Cassandra Jenkins brought a spellbinding ambient art-pop set to the Amazon Music stage. Her spoken-word influenced delivery and ethereal soundscapes demanded silence and focus, rewarding attentive listeners with moments of profound stillness.
IDLES – Revolut Stage, 20:30:
IDLES were undeniable standouts. Their visceral energy ignited the Revolut stage as the crowd morphed into a sea of flailing limbs and roaring sing-alongs. At one point, singer Joe Talbot instructed the crowd to part and form a mosh pit -before long, guitarist Lee Kiernan joined the fray, crowd surfing guitar in hand. Tracks like “Danny Nedelko” and “Dancer” hit like thunderbolts – raw, unrelenting, and euphoric.
CMAT – Cupra Stage, 20:50:
CMAT shifted gears with her theatrical pop-country flair. Tracks like “I Wanna Be a Cowboy, “Baby!” and “Stay for Something” balanced wit and emotional depth, proving a masterclass in storytelling that delighted the crowd. Her magnetic stage presence and sharp humour kept the energy high throughout, blending big melodies with moments of genuine poignancy.
FKA Twigs – Estrella Damm Stage, 22:00:
FKA Twigs transformed the Estrella Damm stage into a visionary spectacle of baroque visuals and avant-garde sound. Her blend of operatic vocals, art-pop, and contemporary dance made for an immersive, daring set that showcased her as a multidisciplinary artist.
Jamie XX – Revolut Stage, 23:30:
London producer and The xx co-founder Jamie XX delivered a masterfully curated late-night set, weaving glitchy percussion, euphoric builds, and hypnotic rhythms into a seamless sonic journey. Known for his genre-blurring approach to electronic music, his Primavera performance balanced introspective textures with irresistible momentum, equal parts cerebral and dancefloor-ready.
Charli XCX – Estrella Damm Stage, 01:15:
Charli XCX and Troye Sivan brought their joint SWEAT Tour to Primavera for a rare European appearance. Troye, marking his 30th birthday on stage, delivered a dynamic set blending emotional pop with infectious energy, performing highlights like “Got Me Started,” “My My My!,” “Bloom,” and closing with the high-energy “Rush.” Charli followed with an intense, full-throttle performance, powering through Brat-era favourites such as “360,” “Von Dutch,” and “Unlock It,” alongside recent hits like “Speed Drive” and “Vroom Vroom.” Their sets intertwined seamlessly, culminating in a vibrant finale with “1999” and “Talk Talk.” The show closed on a playful note with a surprise cameo from Chappell Roan on the big screens, adding a fun and unexpected twist to the night.
Denzel Curry – Cupra Stage, 01:35:
Denzel Curry kept the late-night flames burning with a full-throttle set. Even as the clock neared 2 AM, his explosive energy and tracks like “Ultimate” had the crowd jumping with unflagging enthusiasm.
Day 2 – Friday 6th June 2025
Feeble Little Horse – Estrella Damm Stage, 17:40:
Pittsburgh’s Feeble Little Horse opened with abrasive yet strangely comforting lo-fi noise-pop. “Tin Man” and “Steamroller” wrapped vulnerability in distortion, winning over many new fans with their raw emotional undercurrent.
YOASOBI – Revolut Stage, 18:35:
Japanese duo YOASOBI brought precision and polish to their genre-defying J-pop set. Their infectious beats and stunning visuals drew one of the weekend’s most enthusiastic early crowds, marking their first-ever European show before heading to London to play a sold-out Wembley Arena on Sunday. Their seamless blend of pop hooks and dance energy made a memorable introduction to European audiences.
Wolf Alice – Estrella Damm Stage, 19:35:
Wolf Alice delivered a confident, career-spanning set, weaving shoegaze textures and snarling rock. Mass sing-alongs for “Don’t Delete The Kisses” became one of the weekend’s shared highlights, a true Primavera moment.
HAIM – Revolut Stage, 20:45:
Few bands can match HAIM’s stage charisma and joy. Their set was full of shredding guitar solos, choreographed mic flips, and sibling chemistry. Hits like “The Wire,” “Want You Back,” and “Summer Girl” landed with renewed force, making it a standout performance.
Beach House – Estrella Damm Stage, 22:15:
Bathed in dreamy lights, Beach House wrapped the night in their lush, widescreen sound. Tracks like “Lazuli,” “Space Song,” and “Myth” flowed like gentle waves, anchored by Victoria Legrand’s haunting vocals, a hypnotic experience.
Fcukers – Trainline Stage, 23:00:
American electronic outfit Fcukers, formed in New York City in 2022, brought a fresh wave of energy to the Trainline stage with their tight set. Consisting of Shannon Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis, they showcased tracks from their 2024 debut EP Baggy$$, released on Ninja Tune’s Technicolour Records. Their blend of electronic beats and compelling vocals made for a captivating late-night performance that added a vibrant edge to the festival’s diverse lineup.
TV On The Radio – Cupra Stage, 23:20:
TV On The Radio’s raw energy transformed the Cupra stage into a retro-futurist rock party. Classics like “Wolf Like Me” and “DLZ” still pack a punch, with the band’s unique fusion of punk, soul, and electronic influences on full display.
Sabrina Carpenter – Revolut Stage, 00:00:
Sabrina Carpenter faced a few sound glitches early on, but her poise and star quality turned potential setbacks into moments of connection. With Broadway-trained confidence and slick production, she delivered a captivating, crowd-pleasing set that kept the energy high.
The Jesus Lizard – Schwarzkopf Stage, 00:20:
A sharp contrast followed as The Jesus Lizard unleashed noise-rock fury on the Schwarzkopf stage. Frontman David Yow wasted no time, diving into the crowd and crowd-surfing during the opening song. His wild antics made him every stage manager’s nightmare. Their visceral set was both cathartic and thrilling, electrifying die-hards and surprising newcomers with raw power.
Wet Leg – Cupra Stage, 01:45:
Wet Leg may not have technically closed the night, but they certainly delivered a headliner-worthy moment. With seemingly the entire festival trying to cram into the Cupra Stage amphitheatre, the Isle of Wight duo tore through a sharp, sardonic set that felt far too big for its slot. Opening with “Catch These Fists,” they held the late-night crowd in the palm of their hands with punchy riffs and irreverent charm.
Day 3 – Saturday 7th June 2025
Kim Deal – Revolut Stage, 18:25:
Indie royalty Kim Deal brought warmth and understated power to the Revolut stage, effortlessly weaving through her rich legacy with the Pixies and The Breeders. Her set was a quietly confident celebration of her enduring influence on alternative rock, with highlights including beloved Breeders tracks like “Cannonball” and “No Aloha.” The crowd’s biggest cheers came during a stirring rendition of the Pixies’ classic “Gigantic,” a fitting moment that underscored her lasting impact and deep connection with fans.
Glass Beams – Estrella Damm Stage, 19:30:
Glass Beams delivered hypnotic rhythms with a blend of psychedelic, jazz, and worldbeat influences. Masked and mysterious, their groove-heavy instrumentals drew in curious listeners and held them captive with layered textures.
Fontaines D.C. – Revolut Stage, 20:35:
Fontaines D.C. drew a crowd of headline magnitude, one of the biggest and most impassioned audiences of the weekend. Their set balanced punk urgency with poetic lyricism, as frontman Grian Chatten prowled the stage like a modern-day bard. Pleas from event security to stop the relentless crowd-surfing fell on deaf ears; the energy was simply too electric to contain. It was Fontaines at full force: raw, intense, and utterly unforgettable.
Chappell Roan – Estrella Damm Stage, 22:05:
Chappell Roan transformed the Estrella Damm stage into a glitter-drenched celebration of individuality. Her anthems, delivered with Broadway flair and intimate pop sensibility, made for a joyous, theatrical highlight of the weekend.
Confidence Man – Amazon Music Stage, 01:50:
Confidence Man’s set was pure hedonistic energy; all costumes, choreography, and relentless party anthems. For those striving to stay up for Turnstile’s 3 am set, they provided the perfect second wind: a jolt of euphoric, irreverent fun that sparked a miraculous wave of late-night revival. Their controlled chaos and infectious spirit made them one of the weekend’s most joyous and unexpectedly essential acts.
Turnstile – Amazon Music Stage, 03:05:
At Primavera, there’s never truly a “last act,” with music echoing through the night into morning, but for many, Turnstile were the main event. Taking the stage at 3:05 am, they delivered a punk-soul onslaught that made the wait worthwhile. Sweat-soaked sing-alongs, walls of sound, and bodies in motion marked a cathartic, triumphant release. For thousands who rallied to stay up, it was the perfect payoff to an unforgettable weekend.
Final Thoughts
Primavera Sound 2025 was an immense celebration of contrasts and unity. From euphoric dancefloor moments to intimate, emotional sets, and from boundary-pushing newcomers to revered legends. The festival’s ability to balance international diversity with close-knit community spirit remains unmatched.
With standout performances from Fontaines D.C.’s poetic fury, Confidence Man’s infectious energy, and the indomitable spirit of Sabrina Carpenter despite technical challenges, the weekend left a lasting impression. A special mention goes to J-pop duo Yoasobi, who made their European debut with a dazzling, high-energy set that hinted at even greater things to come, just days before their sold-out show at Wembley Arena.
As the stages go quiet and Barcelona settles back into everyday life, the anticipation for Primavera Sound 2026 is already building.
.
