Splendour 2025: A First-Timer's Journey Through Nottingham's Premier Festival
Images by Bella
Editor's Note: Apologies for the delayed publication of this review. Technical issues following the festival weekend - and admittedly, a holiday travelling around France - prevented us from getting Ethan's fantastic first-time experience online sooner. But as they say, good things are worth the wait!
In the glorious year of 2008, one of Nottingham's most celebrated festivals made its debut appearance at the historic Wollaton Park. Since then, Splendour has not only grown in size and popularity, but has cemented its status as an incredible event in Nottingham's cultural calendar. Over the years it has been headlined by some of the UK's most beloved acts including Madness, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, UB40, and Nottingham's very own Jake Bugg. This magnetic pull that Splendour has for both nationwide favourites and homegrown talent is a key reason why so many return year after year. With over five different stages representing diverse genres of music, there's always something for everyone.
For me, this was my first ever Splendour experience. Knowing all its history and impressive reputation, I was extremely eager to see exactly what it would be like. When the weekend arrived, there was only one priority: to experience everything that Splendour had to offer.
Saturday 19th July (Day 1)
Even before stepping into the festival itself, I could hear the thumping sound of music pulsing through the atmosphere - and if nothing else did, that definitely got my excitement going. Walking in, I was greeted with an atmosphere that could only be described as harmonious. People of all age groups were dancing around and singing in their pull-out chairs and tents, having a brilliant time despite the pouring rain. This type of weather, which seems to come hand in hand with Splendour, never breaks the spirit of the crowd. Over the weekend, we all experienced Mother Nature at her most turbulent.
Throughout the first day, I witnessed over 10 different bands. Here are the five that stuck with me most:
Cassia at the Confetti Stage
This unique three-piece band provided my first taste of the festival - and wow, what a fabulous start. Each member of Cassia was as talented as the next, confident on both their instruments and the mics. The main vocalist particularly captured me with his talents on mic, guitar, and keyboard, as he and the rest of the band flowed effortlessly through their set.
Cassia - Images Bella
Their bouncy tunes are filled with optimism, energy, and euphoria - the kind that would keep you warm even in the depths of winter and remind you of summer's beauty. The bass, with its groove and rhythm, was a true catalyst for this sound. As someone in the crowd perfectly put it, their sound certainly reminded me of the exhilarating music of Jungle. The pure joy and glee this band created radiated across the whole field, making it a beautiful experience to be part of.
The Dementia Choir at the Main Stage
Walking through the courtyard at Wollaton Park, nothing prepared me for seeing the Main Stage. From the top of the hill to the front of the stage, it was certainly something to marvel at. The stage was accompanied by two large screens showcasing every angle, giving every audience member - whether at the stage or on the hill - the chance to fully enjoy the show.
The first group I saw on that glorious stage was Vicky McClure and the Dementia Choir. When she walked out, she was pumped full of energy, her cheerfully positive personality shining straight into the crowd. I'd heard a lot about the Dementia Choir, but this was my first time seeing them live. Before they started singing, we were treated to an amazing surprise.
Emeli Sandé entered the stage to a huge cheer, and I knew we were in for something special. Over the next 15 minutes, we were gifted a compilation of energetic, feel-good favourites that brought the whole festival together. "Hey Jude," "Wonderwall," "Sweet Caroline," and other national anthems were blasting from the speakers, the choir, and the crowd. I could talk about this show forever, but to keep it simple: it was pure bliss.
Check out their donation page to keep the choir running to provide vital support to its members HERE
Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure - Images Bella
Emeli Sandé with the Dementia Choir - Images Bella
Nectar Woode at the Bodega Stage
Positioned right in the heart of the Wollaton Hall Courtyard, the Bodega Stage gives life to Nottingham's homegrown talent. The greatest part about this stage is that while you might have familiar names like Kaiser Chiefs and Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the Main Stage, the Bodega Stage provides a more intimate experience with local bands that you might never have the opportunity to discover elsewhere.
The band that captured me most was Nectar Woode, who brought a lovely soul vibe to the festival. The lead singer's tranquil voice, mixed with wonderful backing vocals from the keyboardist and bass player, was truly enchanting - making it very difficult not to fall in love with their set. If you love Stevie Wonder and other soul icons, it'll be hard not to fall in love with them too.
Later in the set, they switched to a funkier rhythm, and this shift in tone was welcomed wonderfully by the audience. Throughout the whole performance, the lead singer had no anxiety about interacting with the audience. Her liveliness and playful nature gave the crowd no choice but to sing along, giving the festival some pretty good vibrations. If there's any band to keep your eye out for, it's got to be Nectar Woode.
Nectar Woode - Images by Bella
Jake Bugg at the Main Stage
After previously headlining in 2013, Jake Bugg was back at Splendour, and this past weekend was my first introduction to this Nottingham icon. When he started playing, I could see how much people enjoy his music as hundreds were dancing and singing all around me.
He began his set with fast-paced and energetic tunes that really got the crowd going. As the set progressed, he transitioned into his calmer, more melodic music - which was my personal favourite section. The song that struck me most was "All Kinds of People," with its powerful lyrics really resonating with the audience, including me. Then, before I knew it, he played his classic "Lightning Bolt" - one I recognised instantly. I could tell it was a key favourite for many in the audience, so much so that I witnessed the first mosh pit of the day.
Was it a mosh pit for the history books? Definitely not, but it was a mosh pit nonetheless, even if it was pretty strange to witness.
Jake Bugg - Images by Bella
Bloc Party at the Main Stage
After a long day of endless entertainment, it was time for the headline act: Bloc Party.
Even though they were the headliners, I had no idea who they were or what I was preparing myself for. But I knew that with the large crowd brewing around the Main Stage, there would be a lot to look forward to.
When their set began, I was entertained but not as immersed as I wanted to be. I was second-guessing if they were truly worthy of headliner status. However, after the first three songs, it was like a switch got turned to maximum - from then on, it was one bouncy banger after another. Between each song, vocalist Kele Okereke would banter with the audience, shouting "C'mon Splendour, show us what you got!" - and Splendour absolutely did. He would shout for us to raise our hands, and we raised them. He would twist the mic toward us and shout for us to sing, and we sang our hearts out. It's that type of fan interaction that many mainstream bands have forgotten, so seeing it repeatedly at Splendour was a breath of fresh air.
Day 1 was a stronger start than I could have asked for. After experiencing the many talented musicians and singers throughout the day, I couldn't wait to see what Day 2 would offer.
Bloc Party - Images by Bella
Sunday 20th July (Day 2)
On the second day, I was filled with anticipation and optimism. With bands like Kaiser Chiefs and Echo and the Bunnymen playing, I knew I was in for another incredible experience. From 12pm to 10pm, I witnessed eight different bands across over four stages, but the stage I'd like to give the biggest honourable mention to is the Day Fever tent.
If there was one way to describe this tent, it would be "DJ sets galore." From the beginning of the day to the headline acts at the very end, Day Fever was throwing the biggest party at Splendour, and everyone was invited. Between every band I saw, I always took a trip inside this tent. With its heart-pumping club mixes and dancers on and off stage, it was hard not to be part of the madness.
My all-time favourite set had to be Hed Kandi. Their soul-capturing sound took over the whole venue, accompanied by dancers and hype people who really knew how to get the crowd going. Everyone in and around the tent was completely soaked in the frenzy of Day Fever. If you're a clubber at heart, this is the spot for you. For me, it was a brilliant filler between all the bands I saw on the second day. Out of the eight I saw, these were the five that captured me most:
The Publics at the Main Stage
When I arrived at the Main Stage, I noticed something I hadn't seen the day before: a sign language translator on the right of the stage. Seeing this reinforced how inclusive this festival is and its mission to give everyone the greatest experience possible.
The Publics were the first band I saw on Day 2. Even before they stepped on stage, I was intrigued to see what they would bring, as the announcer called them "the next big thing." When their music boomed across the stage, there was an instant explosive reaction from the early crowd as inflatables of all shapes and sizes were thrown around. There may not have been many people at those early gigs, but the vibes were still electric. Their pulsating energy was so powerful that they even got a mosh pit going at 12pm. The Publics were certainly the perfect wake-up boost we all needed to start the day.
The Publics - Images by Bella
Leah Wilcox at the Confetti Stage
The next artist I saw was Leah Wilcox. Her vibrant persona, mixed with stylish clothing from her and the rest of the band, gave this set a very colourful personality. They have a really pleasant rhythm, and their utilisation of acoustic and electric sounds gives them a great variety of styles that made every song just as exciting as the next.
The other band members also brought their own enjoyment to the set as they would hop around stage. I even noticed the electric guitarist playing his instrument with a bottle of wine at one point - definitely a sight to see. With their mix of funky, slow, and electric rock music, there's certainly a song in this band for everyone.
Leah Wilcox - Images by Bella
The Fratellis at the Main Stage
Later in the day, I was back at the Main Stage to experience The Fratellis. When I saw their name on the Splendour poster, there was a part of me that recognised them, but I could never identify what they had made in the past, so I decided to wait and see what their show would be like.
My first impression was one of awe. They didn't just enter the stage with the typical guitar, bass, and drums, but also had incredible saxophone and trumpet players and three harmonious backup singers who brought energy to the stage.
They really started with a bang, and the crowd was off rocking with them. Throughout their set, they played all sorts of groovy, bouncy tunes, with a particular favourite being their cover of "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie." With their charm and suave, they brought a punchy kick to the song. It was also when the backup singers really came into their own, and the whole crowd was truly immersed. There were hands swaying, harmonicas, and everyone jumped at the anthem that is "Chelsea Dagger."
Within a split second, I recognised the song and its importance to Nottingham's sport culture. If there were any Nottingham Panthers fans in the crowd, I can imagine they were in complete euphoria. What a show!
The Fratellis - Images by Bella
Pentire at the Bodega Stage
On the second day, I made sure to take a trip to the Bodega Stage to see what talented musicians I could be introduced to. The one that made the biggest mark on me was Pentire. They have a very cheerful attitude and sound that any indie rock fan will thoroughly enjoy. When it came to their song "Time Changes, So Do I," I recognised a riff that seemed influenced by The 1975 and other legends of indie music.
Throughout the set, they played a beautiful array of songs, including their biggest hits which have gained over 1,000,000 streams on Spotify. There was no surprise that as the set progressed, they attracted larger and larger crowds, which by the end created a lovely atmosphere around the stage.
Pentire - Images by Bella
Echo and the Bunnymen at the Confetti Stage
Ever since I heard their song "The Killing Moon" in Donnie Darko, I've been a huge fan of Echo and the Bunnymen. Like so many others in the crowd, I've been truly captivated by their sound. There's no surprise that this was the set I was waiting for all day.
However, just as the anticipation and excitement was building, Mother Nature decided to intervene. There had been warnings of lightning throughout the whole day, and as we all feared, it began just as it was nearing their performance. So the show was postponed.
Some people were disappointed, some were angry, but we were all asking the same question: "Will we ever get to see Echo and the Bunnymen play live?" As time ticked on and the lightning carried on, all hope seemed lost. But then, just as quickly as it had started, the clouds opened to greet us with warm sun, and like that, the storm was over and the show was back on.
One hour after they were due to come on, Echo and the Bunnymen entered the stage, and the excitement was truly electric at that point. One thing I noticed was that they seemed to be jumping from one song to another without much interaction with the audience, and I was slightly disappointed by that. I didn't know if it was because they were simply past their prime or if the delay had messed with their set, but I was hoping for something more lively from them.
However, as soon as they finished playing "Nothing Lasts Forever," their energy went up tenfold. Their charm, incredible guitar riffs, and that Liverpudlian swagger from Ian McCulloch went to another level - and that was exactly when the experience went from enjoyable to unforgettable. Hearing songs like "The Killing Moon" and "Lips Like Sugar" live was literal music to my ears. They may not have been the headliner, but they certainly were my headliner.
Echo and The Bunnymen - Images by Bella
Final Thoughts
Like all great things, nothing lasts forever, and neither did this amazing weekend at Splendour. While I did miss most of the Kaiser Chiefs performance, seeing the waves of fans swinging their arms from the front of the Main Stage to the top of the hill was one incredible sight to see. If nothing else did, that moment certainly showed me everything about this festival and its ability to bring not only bands from across the world together, but the people of Nottingham too.
What a glorious weekend!
