BY MILLIE MASON
LIDO Festival made its debut in Victoria Park this June with a two weekender that East London won’t forget any time soon. If you were anywhere nearby, you probably heard it – the basslines, the cheering, the distant chants of “I’m a brat.” From Massive Attack’s eco-rave manifesto to Charli XCX’s main pop girl coronation, LIDO delivered a full-spectrum, sun-soaked (and occasionally rain-drenched) celebration of music, culture, and big summer energy.
The carefully crafted lineup created a cohesive vibe, drawing in a crowd genuinely engaged and excited to experience each act. It offered a refreshing sense of intimacy often missing from large-scale festivals. The setup was impressive, with plenty of stalls to explore offering an exciting variety of trendy street food stalls and multiple bars. The vibe was inclusive and laid-back, with a crowd happy to settle in and enjoy the mix of acts playing both in intimate tents and on the main stage.
Musically, the festival hit all the right notes. It all kicked off on Friday 6 June – Tirzah’s delicate, soulful set was an intimate highlight, while Air’s dreamy synths brought a nostalgic, playful glow. The Alchemist’s Forensics project delivered raw intensity that kept the energy alive without disrupting the relaxed atmosphere. Mad Professor turned the dub dial way up, and Everything Is Recorded stitched moods and genres like a live mixtape. Then 47Soul ignited the tent with dabke rhythms and fierce political energy, fusing Palestinian-Jordanian heritage with grinding electronica. Their set was standout – political, high-energy, and emotionally charged, getting the crowd moving and thinking.
Massive Attack, didn’t just headline the first night, they set the tone for the whole festival – with a powerful and immersive set, blending stunning visuals with a deeply engaging, thought-provoking performance that included all their biggest hits. They landed with a statement as bold as their visuals: 100% battery-powered, no meat, no plastic – just raw, stripped-back climate-conscious intensity. Even the mascot (a janky robot built from tin cans and attitude) danced through the crowd like a scrapyard rave prophet. It wasn’t just symbolism; it was intention – a reminder that festivals don’t have to cost the Earth. And no, no one missed the meat! Their unforgettable performance and ethos stayed with us long after.
Saturday 7 June tried to rain on our parade, but Jamie xx turned Victoria Park into a euphoric storm shelter. Mixing solo gems with surprise spins from The xx, he built a slow-burn set into a deep, emotional rave that had Hackney bouncing in puddles and singing in the drizzle.
Fast forward to Saturday 14 June, and the skies flipped the script – blazing sunshine, not a cloud in sight. Perfect timing for the Brats to assemble. Decked out in green, glitter, and high-energy outfits, Charli XCX’s fans swarmed the park, ready for the moment. She did not disappoint. If her O2 shows last year were pop perfection, her LIDO set was something else: unfiltered, wild, euphoric. A bratty, beat-heavy baptism in the open air.
Earlier in the day, The Japanese House delivered a sunlit, emotional lull – dreamy, melodic, the kind of set that makes your drink taste colder and your friends feel closer. A golden moment. Then in the tent, Kelly Lee Owens turned the dial again with an entrancing, beat-forward set that felt like stepping into another world – one where bass reverberates through your ribs and time moves slower.
Sunday 15 June closed the festival on a gentler note, as indie-pop band London Grammar headlined the final evening with their signature blend of soaring vocals and cinematic soundscapes. Supported by the velvety tones of Celeste, the flamboyant electro-glam of Róisín Murphy, and the soulful clarity of Pip Millett, the day flowed with laid-back sunshine and healing sounds. People sprawled on the grass, danced barefoot, and let the weekend melt around them. No spectacle, no gimmicks – just groove, soul, and a community coming down together.
LIDO found its place this summer – here’s hoping it’s the first of many.
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