Reading Festival once again showed why it’s one of the best and famous festivals in the world with superstars and up and coming artists coming together for a weekend of community and music.
Bloc Party delivered a powerful, engaging set as part of the festival’s new “icons” slot, mixing classic tracks from Silent Alarm and A Weekend in the City with newer songs like Traps. Frontman Kele Okereke connected warmly with the crowd, sharing personal stories and dedicating songs to those receiving exam results.
Highlights included crowd favorites “This Modern Love” and “Helicopter,” sparking huge sing-alongs. The performance bridged nostalgia with fresh energy, captivating both longtime fans and younger audiences.
Verdict: A memorable, heartfelt set that celebrated Bloc Party’s enduring influence on indie music.
The Kooks made a triumphant return to Reading Festival after seven years, blending nostalgic indie hits like Naïve and She Moves in Her Own Way with new tracks from their 2025 album Never/Know. Their set was energetic, warm, and well-received by a cross-generational crowd.
The standout moment? Rebel Wilson joining them onstage for a surprise cover of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”, sending the audience into a frenzy and stealing headlines.
Soft Play, formerly known as Slaves, delivered a blistering set at Reading Festival 2025, combining their signature punk energy with bold political statements. Performing on the Chevron Stage, the duo—Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent—opened with “Mirror Muscles,” setting an intense tone for the evening. Their setlist included tracks like “Act Violently,” “The Hunter,” “Girl Fight,” and “Punk’s Dead,” showcasing their raw sound and engaging stage presence.
A standout moment was the live debut of “Slushy,” featuring special guest Kate Nash. Nash also joined the crowd for a surf during “Punk’s Dead,” adding an unexpected twist to the performance.
Friday: Chappell Roan – Friday’s Breakout Star
Chappell Roan wasn’t just a performer—she was a spectacle. With flamboyant visuals, theatrical costume changes, and a live presence that screamed superstar-in-the-making, Roan owned Friday night. Tracks like “Pink Pony Club” and “Good Luck, Babe!” turned the crowd into one big singalong. Festivalgoers called it the performance of the weekend—and maybe even the year.
Friday Headliner: Hozier – Soulful, Soaring, and Sincere
A total contrast in tone, Hozier’s set brought emotional gravity to the main stage. His vocals were flawless, his message resonant (“Francesca” and “Take Me to Church” hit especially hard), and his call for social justice gave the crowd something to truly feel.
Taking to the Main Stage on Saturday were Enter Shikari who delivered a high-energy performance seasonally stacked between Limp Bizkit and Bring Me the Horizon.
The band’s frontman, Rou Reynolds, used the platform not just to perform—but to speak out. He delivered a searing statement on Gaza, calling the situation ‘not a tragedy… it is a war crime,'”‘ spotlighting the crisis and urging fans to ‘use your humanity’ and support an end to the violence.
Limp Bizkit delivered one of the most explosive and entertaining sets of the weekend, drawing the biggest crowd of the day. Opening with “Break Stuff” and leaning heavily on nostalgic hits like “Nookie,” “My Way,” and “Take a Look Around,” the band brought chaotic fun, wild visuals (including AI-generated Oasis gags), and infectious energy.
Frontman Fred Durst kept the crowd hyped with humor and swagger, even pulling a young fan onstage to sing “Full Nelson.” Critics and fans alike praised the performance as a highlight of the festival—pure, unfiltered nu-metal party vibes.
Saturday Headliner: Bring Me the Horizon – Saturday’s Cinematic Storm
Bring Me the Horizon delivered a cinematic, high-energy headline set that fused dystopian visuals, pyrotechnics, and politically charged emotion. Opening with a sci-fi narrative led by their digital AI “E.V.E.”, the band unleashed hits like “DArkSide,” “Happy Song,” “Kingslayer,” and a surprise cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall.”
Frontman Oli Sykes commanded the stage with charisma, inviting fans into mosh pits and bringing one onstage to scream along and the set ended powerfully with “Throne”.
Waterparks delivered a high-energy, engaging set that won over the crowd with their vibrant mix of pop-rock and punk. Frontman Awsten Knight’s playful stage presence and witty banter added to the lively atmosphere. Their set featured tracks from their latest album FANDOM 3 alongside fan favorites, steadily growing their audience throughout the performance.
Sunday Headliner: Travis Scott
Hyped as his only EU festival date this year, Travis brought serious energy—but his set was cut short, leaving fans divided. His visuals and stage presence were on point, but the abrupt end undercut what could’ve been a legendary moment.
There’s still the classic chaos and crowd energy at Reading Festival, but this year also felt more inclusive, slightly more polished, and definitely more eclectic.
Reading didn’t just rest on big names—it upgraded the whole experience:
- Five new themed campsites (Fields, Garden, Meadow, Glitterball Grove, The Valley) added variety and comfort.
- The Chevron Stage became a fan favorite: a fully immersive tented stage with huge LED displays and a constant party vibe.
- Lifestyle perks like more showers, ‘Get Ready With Me’ tents, silent discos, late-night raves, and cleaner toilets showed that organizers are finally listening.