Victorious Festival struck a perfect balance between indie edge and family-friendly charm. Set against the picturesque Southsea seafront, the festival’s three days were bathed in uninterrupted sunshine, a postcard-perfect backdrop that enhanced the vibrancy of the performances and coastal festival vibes.
The 2025 lineup proved one of Victorious’ most eclectic to date, mixing heavyweight rock icons with pop nostalgia, indie favourites, and a sprinkling of unexpected gems.
Friday closed with a bang as Queens of the Stone Age roared onto the Common Stage. Their set was muscular and relentless, Josh Homme commanding the crowd with ease as the riffs of “No One Knows” sent thousands into a frenzy. Elsewhere, Madness transformed the Castle Stage into a giant seaside knees-up. Their brass-soaked ska classics like “Baggy Trousers” and “Our House” had the audience bouncing in unison, proving why their playful energy continues to resonate across generations.
In a twist from tradition, the comedy stage was absent this year due to coastal scheme works, but that didn’t stop the laughs. Instead, comedians took to the main stages across all three days, injecting bursts of humour between bands and keeping spirits high throughout the weekend. Whilst unusual, the format worked surprisingly well, giving comedy acts larger audiences than ever before.
Saturday was a whirlwind of energy and surprises. Rizzle Kicks kicked off proceedings on the Main Stage with infectious energy, getting the crowd bouncing from the first beat and mixing classic hits with playful banter that kept everyone grinning. They were followed by Scouting For Girls, who drew one of the largest afternoon crowds of the weekend (and arguably of previous festivals). Playing many of their classic hits, including “She’s So Lovely” and “Elvis Ain’t Dead”, they kept the audience entertained and set the tone for another sun-baked afternoon on the seafront.
One of the surprise highlights of the weekend was Crystal Tides, who were brought in at the last minute to fill a slot after Chris McCausland had to cancel due to sickness, and their performance was nothing short of remarkable. Billy mentioned that the band had all been at the pub the night before, and one of the guitarists was stuck in Chessington and couldn’t make the performance, a true testament to how last-minute this was. Despite the chaos, they delivered a tight, energetic set that felt fully polished, quickly winning over the crowd and proving that sometimes the best festival moments are the unexpected ones.
The Seaside Stage delivered chaos in the best way thanks to local heroes Seething Akira. Their explosive blend of rock, rap, and electronics whipped the pit into a frenzy. As a must-see act for me, having caught them a few times before, they didn’t disappoint. They drew a huge crowd and left many new fans in their wake, proving why they’re quickly becoming a festival favourite.
Sunday wrapped the weekend in style, Bloc Party set the perfect tone for the day, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Silent Alarm with a blistering set. Classics like “This Modern Love”, “Helicopter”, and “Banquet” sounded massive, delivering a razor-sharp mix of post-punk energy that had the crowd buzzing and primed for the day’s finale.
Finally, Kings of Leon took the headline slot, opening with driving new material before unleashing stadium-sized sing-alongs like “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” as well as some of their older songs and my favourites ‘’Molly’s Chambers’’ and ‘’The Bucket’’ ensuring the festival closed on an electrifying high.
Of course, no festival is without its drama, and this year, Victorious had a moment that no one could ignore. On Friday, Irish folk-punk band The Mary Wallopers had their set cut short after bringing a Palestinian flag on stage with them. The microphones were switched off, which drew confusion, frustration, and support across the site. Several acts withdrew in solidarity, while others chose to address the moment from the stage, ensuring the conversation stayed alive. Some spoke only briefly, and others more passionately.
Yet, despite the controversy, most of the crowd were determined to focus on the music and the shared experience. Whether you agreed with the organisers’ actions or not, it became part of the story of Victorious 2025, a weekend remembered not just for its scorching weather and huge sing-alongs, but also for the debates it sparked.
