Sonic Boom 2025
Think Glastonbury energy on a Burton-on-Trent budget.
Sonic Boom Festival returns this September with Everything Everything headlining a completely free main stage, BBC Introducing broadcasting live, and over 50 original artists from across the UK and beyond taking over the town for one day and night of pure music discovery.
This unique, not-for-profit festival is built for fans, by fans — and in 2024 it pulled in over 6,000 people. This year, it’s supersized. Expect indie, punk, hip-hop, folk, pop, rock, drum and bass, jazz, dub, electronic and experimental sounds spilling from every corner of Burton’s centre.
Main Stage magic – for free
The Market Place main stage will host Everything Everything, one of the UK’s most respected alternative bands, with five Top 10 albums, Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello nominations, and a killer live reputation. They’re joined by K.O.G., Prima Queen, The Clause, better joy, plus Burton’s own Leah Wilcox and Joel Foster. Hosting duties go to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, who says:
“An awesome headliner on a free main stage, incredible breaking bands, and a full night of live music across town. Sonic Boom Music Festival is doing it right.”
Aftershock – the late-night takeover
From 8pm, wristband holders get access to Sonic Boom’s Aftershock — multiple venues across town, with artists who’ve played Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, SXSW, and Isle of Wight. The line-up includes Chiedu Oraka, The Bug Club, Seb Lowe, Tom A Smith, CLT DRP, Lissy Taylor, Riding the Low, The Leisure Society, Joan Smith & the Jane Does, and many more.
BBC Introducing will broadcast live from The Brewhouse, hosting a stage with acts including Fools & Sages, Emily Alice, French Exit, and Taylor Liam Jackson. There’s also a special reunion at Burton Town Hall with Riding the Low and The Leisure Society — the latter playing their only full-band UK show in 2025.
Grassroots heart, big ambitions
Produced by Sonic Boom Music CIC, the festival is fiercely independent and community-driven, with all income reinvested into Burton’s music ecosystem and a youth training programme for 15–25-year-olds.
Co-founder Chris Baldwin says:
“As a not-for-profit, everything we make gets reinvested. The more people that come, the more we can do for music in Burton.”
Tickets
Main stage: Free
Aftershock wristbands: £24 + booking fee (Tier 2) at www.sonicboomfestival.co.uk
Concessionary and community-sponsored tickets available for local residents on low incomes.
Here are some highlights from last year.