LIDO FESTIVAL 2025 PRESENTS... CHARLI XCX // VICTORIA PARK, LONDON
Brat summer continues
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
CHARLI XCX HEADLINING LIDO FESTIVAL 2025 AT LONDON’S VICTORIA PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: HENRY REDCLIFFE
Charli XCX cemented her status as the reigning queen of hyper-pop with a dazzling, high-octane headline set that closed out Saturday night at LIDO Festival in Victoria Park. Arriving on stage just after sunset, she wasted no time pulling the massive crowd into her world of bratty anthems, glossy beats, and unapologetic attitude.
Accompanying her across the day was a collective of longtime collaborators and inspirations. PC Music founder A.G. Cook delivered fan favourites under a sweltering summer sun. While Brat Remix alumni, The Japanese House (aka Amber Bain) played a set of shimmering indie pop with the likes of “Touching Yourself” and “Something has to Change”. Effortlessly cool indie sleaze icon The Dare left it all on the stage with seemingly endless energy and stage presence. A surprise guest in the form of PinkPantheress delighted the already ecstatic crowd.
The now iconic, lime green backdrop indicated when it was time for Charli XCX to take to the stage. LIDO’s main stage was rammed due to the sold-out crowd, but spirits remained high as anticipation built. Opening with a ferocious run of new tracks from her latest album Brat, including the club-ready “360” and fan-favourite “Von Dutch,” Charli set the tone for a set that was equally chaotic and perfectly curated. Backed by striking visuals and powerful production, she commanded the stage with the swagger of an underground rave legend who just happens to sell out festival main stages.
One of the night’s biggest moments came halfway through, when Charli brought out Bladee for a surprise live rendition of “Rewind,” sending the crowd into a euphoric frenzy. For long-time fans, older hits like “Vroom Vroom” and “Party 4 U” were a reminder that Charli’s knack for reinventing pop has never dulled. And just when it seemed she couldn’t get any more unpredictable, she tore into an ecstatic cover of Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” paying homage to the song that catapulted her to global fame over a decade ago.
Despite whispers online that some festival sets had been running short, Charli delivered an hour of wall-to-wall bangers, leaving no room for filler. Her connection with the audience, stylishly clad in their neon brat fits was magnetic throughout.
By the time the final beats faded and she strutted offstage, Charli had reaffirmed what fans already knew: no one in pop is pushing boundaries with this much style, fun, and fearlessness.
CHARLI XCX HEADLINING LIDO FESTIVAL 2025 AT LONDON’S VICTORIA PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: HENRY REDCLIFFE