Victorious Festival (23 – 25 August 2024), the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival, will return to the stunning Solent seafront this August with an incredible line-up of artists, comedians and family fun for this summer’s Bank Holiday extravaganza.
Headliners for this year include the incredible Grammy and Brit award-winning DJ and producer Fatboy Slim who will bring one of the most memorable Friday night opening parties to Southsea with hits including Praise You, Right Here Right Now and Rockafeller Skank. The ubiquitous Snow Patrol will return to the festival circuit as Friday co-headliners while Saturday is headlined by South London singer-songwriter and rapper Jamie T. Closing the ultimate seaside festival is the anthemic three piece rock band Biffy Clyro who will headline Sunday with a powerful set that will be remembered for years to come.
Also performing across the weekend is Grammy award-winning and British Mercury Music Prize-nominated Isle of Wight legends Wet Leg, influential American four piece Pixies, Not Nineteen Forever rockers The Courteeners and dance-pop queen Becky Hill who will descend on the Common Stage with a set jam-packed full of hits including Remember and Crazy What Love Can Do. Filling this year’s highly coveted afternoon slots are Razorlight (Friday), Tom Walker (Saturday) and The Kooks (Sunday). Elsewhere on the bill, Victorious Festival fans are spoilt for choice with performances from Sugababes, Louis Tomlinson, Groove Armada (DJ set), Natasha Bedingfield, Jess Glynne, Soft Play, Lightning Seeds, James Bay, Idles, Arlo Parks and The Lathums.
This year will also welcome the return of one of the festival’s most iconic stages – the Seaside Stage. The popular stage with stunning views across the Solent had a brief hiatus while the Southsea Coastal Scheme transformed the seafront, improving it for future generations and protecting the community helping to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. The stage which will be presented by Victorious’ big beat sound crew
Beats and Swing will return with a huge line-up for the weekend including Australian artist Dub FX, a Saturday evening ‘superstylin’’ party from Groove Armada (DJ set) and the closing party of all closing parties with a larger than life set from the UK rap legend and chart-toppingProfessor Green.
On top of world-class music, Victorious Festival will extend the festival’s comedy offering with a trio of award-winning comedians. Russell Howard, one of the UK’s most successful comedians will headline Friday in the comedy tent whilst Saturday will welcome arguably one of the most controversial comedians of recent years, Frankie Boyle to the stage. Offering classic British humour at this year’s festival, everyone’s favourite pub landlord Al Murray has been announced as the final headliner for this year’s comedy stage. Additional laughter will be provided by Radio 4 starSuzi Ruffell, and Emmanuel Sonubi who will compere Friday and Saturday’s comedy offerings plus Ria Lina known for her appearances on BBC’s Live At The Apollo, and Fatiha El-Ghorri who will challenge cultural preconceptions and stereotypes with humour. Hosted by the loveable Eastenders star Shaun Williamson, Barrioke will make its Victorious festival debut in the comedy and cabaret tent on the Sunday afternoon. Expect audience participation and plenty of laughs all rolled into one joyous karaoke session!
Described as a ‘mini festival in itself’, Victorious’ Kids Arena is packed with children’s entertainment throughout the weekend including TV presenter Katy Ashworth who will take to the stage on Friday for the ultimate disco party, whilst kids’ TV star Andy Day joins the Kids Arena stage on Saturday with a special Dino Raps set. Award-winning teacher and World Book Day ambassador, MC Grammar will also educate and entertain little ones on Sunday afternoon! The fun doesn’t stop there as mini festival lovers can enjoy dance classes from Jiggy Wrigglersand the Marie Clarke School of Dance as well as a mesmerising magic show from Ross Presto. Future stars can join in with sessions from TADAA theatre schooland Little Wild Theatre whilst Kyle D Evans will host The Big Maths Gameshow. Little ones will also have the chance to meet their favourite characters with appearances from SpongeBob SquarePants, Smoke Breathing Dragons and JJ from CoComelon across the weekend.
Elsewhere, children can enjoy the Lidl Mudder Zone, bounce fitness session, Jedi training, the world’s biggest bouncy castle, climbing walls, retro gaming, cupcake decorating and face painting. All attractions in the Kids Arena are free, and with kids’ entry prices from £1, Victorious continues to be one of the best value festivals for families in the UK.
Victorious continues to partner with Tonic Music for Mental Health, a local charity that encourages people to participate in music to benefit mental health. As well as a financial donation, the charity will have a presence on site over the weekend offering support for music industry professionals and the public delivering good mental health services and recovery through music.
The festival has also continued its mission to showcase the city’s talent. As well as hosting over 1,700 slots since 2017 for local artists across its 13 stages, last year they launched the hugely successful Road To Victorious competition for acts in the PO postcode. Harvey Jay Dodgson has been crowned this year’s winner and the incredible winner’s prize includes festival slots across the summer including performing at Victorious, a tour bus, industry advice and recording time.
Further supporting the local economy, festival goers are encouraged to eat like a local at Neighbourhood Eats; an area exclusive for Portsmouth independents who may not be able to afford to attend in a standard festival pitch. By subsidising the pitch fees, Victorious is able to make trading at a festival even more accessible.
Victorious takes place 23 – 25 August 2024 atSouthsea Common. For more info and tickets for both sites visit victoriousfestival.co.uk