The inaugural LIDO Festival came to a triumphant end on Sunday night as London Grammar delivered a spellbinding headline set to a sun-kissed Victoria Park. The final act of a groundbreaking, artist-led ten-day event, their widescreen pop swept across the East London fields with crystalline clarity, bringing the festival’s closing chapter to an emotional high.
As golden hour set in, Hannah Reid’s powerhouse vocals rang out on tracks like How Does It Feel and House, with the band taking full command of the Lido Field. Their stirring cover of Kavinsky’s Nightcall created a moment of stillness before a surge of rhythm snapped the crowd back into motion. Elsewhere, Baby It’s You lit up the makeshift dancefloor with heartbreak disco, while stripped-back renditions of Fakest Bitch and Darling Are You Going To Leave Me added intimacy to the grandeur. Anthems Strong and Lose Your Head closed the set in euphoric fashion, the crowd echoing back every word: “You say you miss me now. What a way to lose your head.”
London Grammar @ Lido Festival 2025
Earlier on the main stage, Róisín Murphy delivered one of the day’s most visually dazzling and musically commanding performances. Dressed in a technicolour dreamcoat, she burst into Moloko’s Pure Pleasure Seeker before launching into a set peppered with pummelling grooves like Simulation and Dear Miami. With choreographed flair and a flair for the theatrical, she turned the field into a surreal disco wonderland. Sing It Back was utterly undeniable, the front row singing along word-for-word — and eagerly accepting long-stem roses from Murphy herself, who moved across the stage like a pop art priestess.
Róisín Murphy @ Lido Festival 2025
The final day also featured the spellbinding Celeste, who took to the main stage with a blend of jazz-infused elegance and lyrical edge. Introducing the unreleased Only Time Will Tell, she brought something new and sublime, while Free embraced a little chaos. “This is a new song about technology,” she explained while introducing Could Be A Machine, “and how sometimes we would come to be one with it, but then, by doing that we’re not really ourselves in the same way, with our heart intact – in the way that it could be or the way it should be.” Now a local resident, Celeste added: “The last big show I did was 2021 in this park, so it’s good to be back.”
Celeste @ Lido Festival 2025
Elsewhere on the main stage, Wasia Project previewed brand-new music. “This next one is a new one,” said keyboardist Will Gao. “It’s called Letters From The Day and it’s coming out this summer at some point. We don’t know when, but stay tuned!” Their dreamy, classically-informed sound created a lush, swaying atmosphere.
Wasia Project @ Lido Festival 2025
On the second stage, Clementine Douglas tested out new track Tokyo for just the second time ever. “Can I play you something new?” she asked the crowd. “See what you think.” Judging by the ecstatic reaction, she may have just debuted a future radio staple. Her set also featured the hard-hitting Calvin Harris collaboration Blessings, delivered with stunning clarity.
Clementine Douglas @ Lido Festival 2025
Pip Millett brought soulful intimacy to the same stage, weaving deft, jazz-influenced R&B around songs like Better and new track Mad. Her take on Try A Little Tenderness was perfectly pitched. “I found today really lovely,” she told the crowd. “It was my first day back at festivals in two years, so it was really nice. Everyone was so sweet. There was a really nice energy to this festival. I’ve just had the best time.”
Earlier, Dan Whitlam opened the main stage with laid-back Sunday vibes, delivering deft spoken word on tracks like Satellite, while Essex rockers The White Gates Band made their festival debut on The Club stage. “Which means you’re our first festival audience,” beamed vocalist Jessica Richardson. “You’ve been amazing so far so how about giving yourselves a round of applause. This one’s called Desire.”
Dan Whitlam @ Lido Festival 2025
White Gates Band @ Lido Festival 2025
The final day followed an eclectic weekend, including Saturday’s PARTY GIRL lineup curated by Charli xcx. Her iconic headline performance was joined by Gesaffelstein, 070 Shake, A. G. Cook, and The Japanese House. Surprise moments came via Amelia Dimoldenberg, who appeared for the ‘Apple’ dance, and from crowd members Harris Dickinson and Paul Mescal — the Lennon and McCartney of the forthcoming Beatles biopic.
On Friday, Outbreak Fest made its London debut, with hardcore giants Turnstile headlining shortly after the release of their acclaimed new record NEVER ENOUGH. And the previous Saturday belonged to Jamie xx, whose headlining set featured surprise reunions with The xx bandmates Romy and Oliver Sim, and B2B DJ magic from Skrillex, Shy FX, Nia Archives — and even Jamie himself. Harry Styles was spotted dancing among the crowd.
The festival had kicked off with a fully battery-powered day led by Massive Attack — a world-first for a major live music event — and featured guest vocals from Elizabeth Fraser, Horace Andy, Deborah Miller and Yasiin Bey.
With its debut, LIDO Festival introduced a bold new concept: a festival programmed entirely by headliners, who hand-pick their line-ups, collaborators, stage design and visual identity. The cutting-edge Martin Audio ML3A system, mixed by renowned engineer Robb Allan and supplied by Solotech, ensured stunning sound throughout.
Named after Victoria Park’s Lido Field, LIDO is set to become a landmark in London’s summer calendar, with a strong focus on sustainability, creativity and community.
London Grammar @ Lido Festival 2025
Charli xcx’s ‘PARTYGIRL’ Rules The Night At LIDO Festival 2025 — A Euphoric Takeover In East London
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