After last years festival having to be postponed due to works at Portsmouth Guildhall, finally Takedown Festival was back and proved to be an exhilarating weekend brimming with electrifying performances, enthusiastic crowds, and a palpable sense of community among music lovers. This year it was split over two days, being able to offer more bands and stages than its previous years. I was only able to make the Saturday but there was definitely still a lot on to keep me busy.
This year there were three stages set up around the venue all showcasing different genres of alternative and rock music. The stages were well-organised, allowing festival-goers to seamlessly transition between acts without feeling overcrowded. I was a little nervous when I first saw the smaller stages and wondered how I’d get through but there was plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the bands but also not feel super claustrophobic
The lineup for Takedown Festival 2025 was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a mix of established headliners and up-and-coming talent. First up were local band, Wide Awake Club who opened the main ‘Laney Stage’ and absolutely loved these guys. With their infections pop punk mix of catchy riffs, passionate vocals and clever lyrics. What a way to open the day!
After finding the press room and saying hello to the other photographers there, we set up our editing corner for the day then headed back down to see Glass Grave on the ‘We are Trxsh’ stage who had drawn quite a big crowd for a small stage!
Back to the main stage to see ‘The Bottom Line’ who are another great, local pop-punk band. Having seen them at Icebreaker last year, I was looking forward to seeing them in a bigger stage. They have everything you want in catchy pop-punk, pulsating power chords and catchy riffs.
Over to the ‘Metal For Good’ area where Lastelle were due to take to the stage. I’ve heard a lot about these guys and discovered them through social media, so was really excited to see them finally! This post-hardcore group combine heart felt lyrics with atmospheric melodies. The contrast of drummer Mike’s soulful vocals alongside Adam’s emotive harsh vocals create something that’s really unique in the music scene. One of my favourite performances of the day.
One things for sure, I was definitely getting my steps in this weekend as I was back off to the main stage to see ‘The Hurt Process’. Self proclaimed ‘dad rock’, the 00’s band were fantastic. Having seen them support Taking Back Sunday back at the Wedgewood Rooms when I was in my teens, there was definitely a sense of nostalgia seeing them again.
I took a quick break to charge my body with coffee and also my camera batteries then back to the main stage to see Fort Hope. I’d not heard of these guys before but they were brilliant and I’ll definitely be adding them to my playlist.
One of bands I was most excited to see again were another local band ‘Seething Akira’. Having seen them previously a few times on smaller stages and knowing the energy levels they bring, they did not disappoint. From the moment they stepped on the stage, they were on fire! Their music is a complex cross-over of styles such as EDM, metal and dubstep and often doesn’t fit into any one category, which is another example of how unique their sound is. They finished their set with an insanely good cover of Faithless’ ‘Insomnia’ and getting the room to sing Happy Birthday to singer, Kit.
Now we were nearing the latter part of the day, I had the issue of dealing with stage split clashes. On the main stage, ‘Dream State’ were unreal and absolutely took over the stage with Jess’s stunning vocals mixed with the deepest growls throughout their entire set.
Then there was a quick dash to the ‘Metal For Good’ stage where I was able to squeeze my way to the front to see InVisions. Another band who I discovered through social media and were brilliant.
Time for the headliners now and I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Elvana. Having heard so much about them, I was keen to see how Nirvana cover band with Elvis influences could be combined into a live performance.
The band took to the stage with Elvis himself sporting his signature jumpsuit, long straight hair, and white rimmed sunglasses inspired by Cobain himself. Throughout their set, it’s packed with Nirvana songs that switch into Elvis songs and bounce back and forth.
What a wild ride that set was and I can see why they’ve created such a huge following and have played huge festivals such as Download and Glastonbury. Even if you’re not a huge Elvis/Nirvana fan, you’ll still have a blast with this band. It’s not just about the music, it’s also about the stage presence and their interaction with the audience.
The last band of the night were Acres, another local band who have toured with the likes of Dayseeker and Plot In You, seemed excited to be back on home soil
Lead singer Ben’s ability to shift between melodic clarity and crushing aggression was impressive. The room was packed and created space for a few mosh pits, which I almost ended up in as I was trying to move across the room. There was even some crowd surfing which ended up turning into crowd carrying due to the size of the room and stage.
One of the standout features of Takedown Festival is its commitment to showcasing emerging talent as well as established acts. The festival provides a platform for these artists to shine, and it was a joy to witness their growth and enthusiasm on stage. The festival organisers did an impressive job ensuring that logistics ran smoothly throughout the weekend. The bar service was efficient, and the availability of seating areas allowed attendees to recharge between. The overall atmosphere was one of inclusivity, making it a welcoming space for fans of all backgrounds.
Takedown Festival 2025 at Portsmouth Guildhall was a success after its two year break, showcasing the best of the alternative music scene while fostering a sense of belonging among its attendees.
As the final notes echoed through the Guildhall and the stage lights dimmed, it was clear that Takedown Festival had once again delivered an unforgettable experience, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what next year will bring.
