WPGM Reviews: Wide Awake Festival 2025 (In Pictures)

Against all odds, headliners Kneecap stand tall for the people of Palestine as Wide Awake Festival 2025 battles last minute cancellation attempts. Anyone attending Wide Awake in 2025 spent the... The post WPGM Reviews: Wide Awake Festival 2025 (In Pictures) appeared first on WE PLUG GOOD MUSIC.

Jun 1, 2025 - 15:25

WPGM Reviews: Wide Awake Festival 2025 (In Pictures)

Against all odds, headliners Kneecap stand tall for the people of Palestine as Wide Awake Festival 2025 battles last minute cancellation attempts.

Anyone attending Wide Awake in 2025 spent the last fortnight questioning whether the festival would go ahead, after organisers faced a turbulent run up. You don’t need to be a music fan to be aware of the controversy surrounding headliners Kneecap, who have become a target of right wing newspapers, more focused on vilifying the band than addressing the genocide currently unfolding in Palestine.

Just two days before the festival, band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (a.k.a. Mo Chara) was charged with a terrorism-related offence, allegedly for waving a Hezbollah flag during a London performance in November 2023.

In addition, local campaign group Protect Brockwell Park launched legal action against Lambeth Council, arguing that event organiser Brockwell Live lacked proper planning permission for its series of summer events. While the group won their case, it wasn’t until 19th May that Brockwell Live confirmed: “No event will be cancelled as a result of the High Court’s decision.”

Controversies aside, Wide Awake returned with a diverse (and notably Irish-heavy) independent line-up showcasing some of the best emerging talent from around the globe. It’s a festival that truly offers something for everyone, from post-punk to electronica and techno, the programme is a unique blend of the leftfield genres.

Friday saw the sun shine brightly over Brockwell Park as festivalgoers arrived beaming with excitement. While the stages were the main draw, Wide Awake also offered a vibrant mix of vintage shops, record labels, charity stalls, local craft beer tents, and a variety of food trucks. It’s easy to get lost meandering through the grounds, soaking up the atmosphere.

We began our day in the Shacklewell Arms tent, a mid-sized, low-ceiling venue that consistently showcased some of the day’s best new talent. First up was Hello Mary, a New York indie rock trio. Their opener, “Float” expertly demonstrated the band’s shoegaze expertise. Vocalist and drummer Stella Wave’s ethereal vocals echoed out as she spun the sticks behind her kit, building anticipation.

Then came a burst of energy as guitarist Helena Straight erupted with distortion heavy riffs, while bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer thrashed up and down her fretboard. Performing tracks from their 2024 album Emita Ox, Hello Mary had the crowd moshing and screaming along to Courtesy and 0%, an impressive feat for a 1:45pm slot.

Next up in the Shacklewell tent were Gurriers, the hyped Irish quintet whose debut album Come and See dropped recently. Having toured extensively across the UK and Europe, the band drew a crowd that spilled well beyond the tent’s edges. They launched into “Close Call”, building walls of sound with heavily distorted guitars and a bassline that you could feel in your legs.

Frontman Dan Hoff appeared, a whirlwind of rage and energy and quickly plunged into the crowd. Within minutes, Hoff was screaming face-to-face with audience members, his expression contorted as he pushed his vocals to the limit. Above him, crowd surfers rode the waves of arms, grinning ear to ear.

After a short break, we returned to the Shacklewell Arms for something different: Luvcat. As the punks filtered out, fans of indie, pop, and cabaret flooded in. Fronted by the charismatic Sophie Morgan, Luvcat have enjoyed a string of hit singles, including “He’s My Man”, which wouldn’t feel out of place in a ’60s spy film.

As the intro to “Lipstick” began, Morgan took the stage in a black and white polka dot dress. Her performance was pure theatre, sweet vocals balanced by razor-sharp lyrics: “All dolled up in straps with no nice place to go, because no fucker asked me to the rodeo.” The crowd devoured every word. It was a dazzling, magnetic performance, and it’s only a matter of time before Luvcat graduates to the main stage.

By 5pm, the day’s only real frustration revealed itself: slot clashes. Sets from Mannequin Pussy, Fcukers, BDRMM, and English Teacher all overlapped. But taking a positive view, it’s remarkable that a festival of this scale can attract so much quality. There were never obvious choices, just an abundance of talent across multiple stages.

Next, we opted to bask in the sun at The Grove DIY stage for Getdown Services and we’re so glad we did. Formed by best friends Josh Law and Ben Sadler, the duo delivered an eccentric mix of danceable grooves and satirical takes on modern Britain.

Despite playing the festival’s smallest stage, they drew a massive crowd. From the opening notes of “Crisps”, the set erupted into one giant party. People of all ages joined in, mimicking Sadler’s silly dance moves and jumping to the beat of Dog Dribble. Kneecap may have headlined, but Getdown Services were the breakout stars.

Later, we crossed the park to catch Sprints, a garage punk band from Dublin and one of many stellar Irish acts this year. Performing tracks from 2023’s Letter to Self, lead singer Karla Chubb screamed into the mic with ferocious intensity, flanked by her equally relentless bandmates. Their lyrics tackled everyday misogyny with righteous fury. It was a cathartic, essential performance. If they’re playing near you, go.

As dusk approached, it was time to turn to electronica. We stepped into the enormous Dazed tent for Swedish artist COBRAH, who delivered a jaw-dropping show blurring the line between rave, pop concert, and fetish performance art. Dressed in BDSM-inspired attire, she strutted the stage wielding an actual whip while delivering bass-heavy bangers like “FEMININE ENERGY”, “BRAND NEW B*TCH”, and “GOOD PUSS”.

The vibe here was entirely different, more club, less punk, but that’s the brilliance of Wide Awake. There’s something for everyone. COBRAH addressed the crowd between songs, thanking them for turning up despite her six month performance hiatus. Judging by the way she commanded the stage, you’d never have known.

Finally, as the sun set over South London, it was time for Kneecap. The question on everyone’s lips: after a week of mounting controversy, would they tone it down? The answer: absolutely not.

Palestinian and Irish flags waved high as a stark message appeared on the screen: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the British government. Over 60,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 12 months. FREE PALESTINE.”

The crowd erupted. “FREE FREE PALESTINE” chants rang out as Kneecap took the stage. A cheeky dig at Piers Morgan and other media outlets played onscreen before they launched into “3CAG” (their ode to MDMA), followed by the sing-along anthem “Fenian C*nts”.

As ever, the trio balanced wit and humour with searing political commentary. “Anyone know any good lawyers or what?” Mo Chara joked, referring to his upcoming court case. But between mosh pits and bilingual chants, Kneecap took sobering moments to remind the crowd of the horrors unfolding in Gaza.

“We are being made an example of,” Mo Chara said. “Israeli lobbyists are trying to prove to other artists that if you speak out, ‘we’re going to hit you where it hurts most’. They’re trying to cancel gigs, cancel my freedom of travel. But the fact I’m speaking to this many people, and I assume most of you agree, shows we’re on the right side of history.” He added: “Let’s remember how lucky we are to be in a field with our friends and not being bombed from the sky.”

Earlier in the day, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared on the main stage, expressing solidarity with victims of war and urging the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel, a message echoed by several artists throughout the day.

Kneecap later revealed they had donated their headline fee to Médecins Sans Frontières.

Back to the music: the group powered through their hits with venom and joy, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. “Your Sniffer Dogs Are Shite” had the crowd hilariously chanting on cue. As the set came to an end, DJ Próvaí leapt off the stage to conduct a giant mosh pit, as “H.O.O.D.” blasted through the park: “H-O-O-D, low-life scum, that’s what they say about me?”

Kneecap may not have been the most expected choice for a headliner, but their infectious energy, commitment to justice, and ability to unite a 20,000-strong crowd in both joy and resistance proved why they more than earned their place.

Wide Awake 2025 proved that music, community and resistance go hand in hand. Against the odds, legal battles, political pressure, and last-minute uncertainty, the festival not only went ahead but delivered a day packed with unforgettable performances, defiant energy, and a genuine sense of purpose. We’re already counting the days to 2026.

KNEECAP