Splendour 2025

Tucked away in the greenery of Nottingham's beautiful Wollaton Park, the unsuspecting, yet completely true-to-name Splendour Festival was back this summer, after a year away. The Mic's Beth Coldwell reports on two days of music and more...

After a year’s hiatus, the two-day celebration of music, community, and creativity came back with a bang, bringing with it a lineup that was both nostalgic and forward-looking, and a crowd that was ready to dance, sing, and soak up every second. Frankly, I can't believe that I have lived a stone’s throw to Nottingham my entire life and have, only now, experienced my first Splendour Festival. After two days filled to the brim with incredible music from near and far, and equally excessive dancing and laughter, it is safe to say that it won’t be my last.

Splendour 2025 came back in full force, with a stacked line up of huge names; the likes of Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, The Fratellis, Levellers and Nottingham’s own Jake Bugg owned the main stage. The festival offered five stages offering music, comedy and dance music sets. The close, community feel of the weekend was extremified by the support for local artists, with emerging talent showcasing a new era of music within Nottingham’s growing music scene.

Saturday began with trying to get our heads around how our beloved Wollaton Park was full to the brim with people, baring music and huge stages. Our usual walk in was now draped in fairy lights and echoes of the main stage beckoned us through the woods to the arena. Albeit slightly confusing, I can’t say that this was a change I was unhappy about by any means. Saturday was busy, with incredible music on the line up all day; we were on our feet, dashing around all day to try and keep up with all of the artists that we could. Among the early highlights was Radio Free Alice, a post-punk quartet from Melbourne whose devilishly catchy indie tunes are fast becoming festival staples across the UK. Their set was a perfect blend of grit and grunge, setting the tone for a day of musical discovery.

"Local hero Jake Bugg delivered one of the weekend’s most memorable performances. With his raspy vocals and heartfelt lyrics, he captivated a crowd of thousands, many of whom sang along to every word. His set was a homecoming, a celebration of local talent, and a beacon of hope for emerging artists."

Local hero Jake Bugg delivered one of the weekend’s most memorable performances. With his raspy vocals and heartfelt lyrics, he captivated a crowd of thousands, many of whom sang along to every word. Songs like “Lightning Bolt” and “Two Fingers” stirred up waves of nostalgia, especially for Nottingham locals who’ve watched Bugg’s rise from nearby town Clifton to international acclaim. His songs threw me back to teenage years of yearning and hope, it is a nostalgic feeling and listening to him in the sun surrounded by friends and people singing along showed an air of real community and love. His set was a homecoming, a celebration of local talent, and a beacon of hope for emerging artists.

Elvana, the Elvis-fronted Nirvana tribute act, brought a dose of eccentric brilliance to the day. Their quirky concept might sound bizarre on paper, but live, it’s a riotous blend of fun and fury that had the crowd roaring with laughter and rocking out in equal measure. Keo followed with a grungy, Wunderhorse-esque sound that drew a sizeable crowd, while Kingfishr’s folk-rock melodies provided a lush, lyrical interlude that felt perfectly at home in the park’s natural beauty. Sofy, a solo artist from Leicester, charmed the audience with her bedroom pop vibes, reminiscent of Hard (Easy) Life, while Bloodworm, another rising local band, delivered two electrifying sets that showcased their edgy, genre-blending appeal. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bloc Party took to the main stage, closing out the day with a hypnotic set that had the crowd in a trance. Their distinct sound of post-punk revival/indie-dance-rock is incomparable to any other artist right now; their danceable discography proved why they remain one of the UK’s most enduring indie acts.

Day two was filled with just as much musical goodness as the day before... and not even some extremely testing weather could deny the crowd of music from some old school rockstars, and new ones alike. Overpass kicked things off with their infectious indie-pop sound, winning over new fans with their stage presence and standout track “Beautiful.” Lucy Spraggan followed with a set that was equal parts nostalgic and heart warming. Her performance of “Beer Fear” transported me back to earlier 2000s, and her genuine joy and enjoyment of being on stage was a reminder of the power of authenticity.

The afternoon saw a parade of rock royalty take the stage. The Fratellis had everyone bouncing to “Chelsea Dagger,” while Travis delivered a poignant rendition of “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?”, a fitting anthem for the weather and a nostalgic transportation to rainy drives through the Lincolnshire countryside throughout my childhood. Kate Nash, ever the force of nature, not only delivered crowd-pleasing hits but also used her platform to advocate for political change, donning a handmade “Free Gaza” outfit and speaking passionately about activism, change and community. Her intentional and powerfully chosen words showed genuine care and passion for ongoing political discourse and was rightly greeted with equal support from the crowd.

Levellers brought the energy with their lively folk-rock set, arguably drawing the biggest and most animated crowd of the weekend. And then came Kaiser Chiefs. Despite a weather-induced delay, their headlining set was worth the wait. With hits like “Ruby” and “Everyday I Love You Less and Less,” they closed the festival with a bang, reminding everyone why their songs have stood the test of time, and will continue to do so for years to come.

Splendour Festival 2025 offered so much more than music, it was a celebration of Nottingham’s vibrant cultural scene, a showcase of emerging talent, and a testament to the enduring power of live performance. From fairy-lit walks to muddy singalongs, it was a festival that felt like home. And for those lucky enough to be there, it was clear: Splendour isn’t just back. It’s better than ever. Roll on 2026.

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Edited by Bethany Coldwell

Images courtesy of Splendour Festival on Facebook