As the August Bank Holiday weekend approaches, the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival returns to its stunning seaside home of Southsea – and Victorious Festival 2025 is shaping up to be its most explosive edition yet! Victorious Festival is no longer just a highlight of the UK festival calendar—it’s a staple. With its unbeatable location on the sun-kissed shores of Southsea, a genre-spanning lineup of global icons and rising stars, a comedy programme worthy of the Edinburgh Fringe, and some of the best family-friendly experiences around, Victorious 2025 (22nd–24th August) promises to be a Bank Holiday blowout for the ages.
Victorious Festival 2017
Whether you’re a die-hard rocker, a chart-topping pop obsessive, a parent juggling pushchairs and pint cups, or someone just looking for sun, sound, and sea breeze, Victorious is built for you.
Opening with a seismic bang, Queens Of the Stone Age take Friday’s headline slot by storm. Known for their thunderous riffs and hypnotic swagger, Josh Homme and his desert rock pioneers are sure to deliver a set packed with classics like No One Knows, Go With the Flow, and Little Sister. It’s the kind of hard-hitting, guitar-driven performance that reminds you exactly why they’re one of the most enduring rock bands of their generation.
Queens of the Stone Age @ Wembley Arena
Before them, the ever-soulful Michael Kiwanuka will provide a stirring contrast, delivering songs like Cold Little Heart with trademark warmth and cinematic flair. Meanwhile, The Charlatans get the afternoon party started with Britpop nostalgia and indie rock resilience.
Michael Kiwanuka @ Glastonbury Festival 2024
Other highlights include ska royalty Madness, bringing their unrelenting energy and back catalogue of hits from Our House to It Must Be Love and trailblazers, and Rockshot Magazine favourites, Wunderhorse!
Saturday delivers indie heaven, headlined by the only UK festival appearance of the summer from the masterful Vampire Weekend. Ezra Koenig and co. will bring their jittery rhythms, clever lyrics, and sunny melodies to the South Coast, with hits such as A-Punk, This Life, and Unbelievers sure to get thousands dancing.
Vampire Weekend @ Brixton Academy
Joining them are:
- Travis, bringing emotional resonance with Sing and Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
- Brit Award winners The Last Dinner Party, fresh off a breakout year and set to bring glam-rock flair.
- Y2K icon Nelly Furtado, whose timeless anthems (I’m Like a Bird, Promiscuous) are ready to cause mass sing-alongs.
- Afternoon special guests Rizzle Kicks, lighting up the day with feel-good nostalgia and trumpet-fuelled fun.
- Be sure to check out Rockshot Magazine faves The K’s, Ash, Hotwax and Jamie Webster amongst others!
Further down the bill, keep an eye out for indie newcomers like Caity Baser, the ascendant Southampton pop voice, and Jamie Webster, whose anthemic songwriting has built him a cult following.
Sunday’s headliners are none other than the arena-filling giants Kings Of Leon, whose Southern-fried rock has soundtracked a generation. Expect a sea of fans screaming every word to Sex On Fire, Use Somebody, and Molly’s Chambers as the festival closes with a euphoric bang.
But before the Kings take the stage, Sunday offers:
- A massive throwback dance party with Craig David Presents TS5 – blending garage classics, R&B bangers, and irresistible charisma.
- A DJ set from Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, spinning the soundtrack of the ’90s and 2000s.
- Performances from Reverend and the Makers, Shed Seven, Bloc Party (revisiting Silent Alarm), and Gabrielle.
- Be sure to check out Rockshot Magazine faves The Academic, The Zutons, Young Knives and Graham Coxon’s The Weave.
It’s a Sunday lineup that refuses to slow down—every bit as vital as Friday and Saturday.
In a major move, Victorious’ comedy stage goes big this year—literally—by moving to the main stage post-afternoon acts, making room for thousands more fans to enjoy some of the UK’s best stand-up talent.
- Friday: Joel Dommett headlines with his sharp, hyperactive humour, joined by Irish firecracker Andrew Maxwell.
- Saturday: Critically acclaimed Chris McCausland brings his observational brilliance, supported by musical comedy maestro Jon Long.
- Sunday: The legendary Ruby Wax closes the weekend with her unique mix of hilarity and insight—a true comedy trailblazer.
Victorious is also launching a brand-new Comedy Week online campaign, diving into comedian podcasts, highlights, and backstage content leading up to the festival.
Victorious Festival 2017
What truly sets Victorious apart is its unrivalled Kids Arena, packed with entertainment designed to keep little ones just as thrilled as the grown-ups. From toddler-friendly tunes to teen-approved activities, this area is a festival within a festival:
- Headliners like MC Grammar, Hacker T Dog & Katie Thistleton, and the interactive Pop Kids show.
- A full roster of entertainment: puppet shows, princess parties, street art, superhero wrestling, live karaoke, dance workshops, and meet-and-greets with Peppa Pig, Sonic The Hedgehog, and life-sized dinosaurs.
- Physical fun galore: zip wires, climbing walls, caving adventures, rock schools, martial arts and obstacle courses.
- Thoughtful facilities including baby changing tents and quiet feeding zones.
Every kids’ activity is included in the ticket price—making Victorious one of the most inclusive festivals in the UK.
Victorious continues to offer unbeatable value in a time of rising festival costs:
- Weekend tickets from £180
- Day tickets from £85
- Kids under 5 for £1/day
- Ages 5–12 from £8/day (Booking fees apply)
Whether you’re there for the Kings, the Queens, the comedy legends, or the kids’ wonderland, Victorious Festival 2025 is shaping up to be the ultimate August escape.
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