Wide Awake 2025, you were the best we’ve ever had.
We’d like to propose a toast to all of you who are recovering, reminiscing, or reliving - so adorn your merch and raise a cold pint , Wide Awake says thank you.
A glorious day of music, sunshine, politics, and partying, this year's romp around Brockwell Park will be one for the books. The early afternoon saw all of you lovely people flooding through the gates to shake ass at 3L3P3D and HiTech, setting the bar high ahead of a set from the underground artist Jeremy Corbyn. Delivering a rousing speech on the importance of music, and denouncing Keir Starmer's ‘island of strangers’ comment, Corbyn was a welcome addition, and a highlight of our day. Also knocking it out of Brockwell Park was Gurriers, whose thunderous post-punk shook The Shacklewell Arms stage from the get-go.
Once the lagers and sunburn had kicked in, Fcukers and Fat Dog took Wide Awake up a gear and into the depths of a raucous Friday night. Whether you stuck to the scripture, or sacrificed plans with reckless abandon, the festival gods were appeased and smiled upon us that day. Rejoice!
Offering a masterclass in songwriting prowess and showmanship, CMAT’s set had every hip swaying at the main stage with belters like ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’ Across the way, the legendary Peaches closed The Bad Vibrations Stage, delivering a phenomenal set and an impassioned speech on the necessity of Trans rights.
Kneecap’s set drew Wide Awake to a monumental close, as the trio opened up mosh pits and conversations about media censorship. At their biggest festival headline show to date, the band used the platform to denounce the UK and US’s involvement with the genocide against Palestine, leading chants and showing solidarity with those under attack in Gaza. Unreleased track ‘The Recap’ stood tall next to fan favourites ‘H.O.O.D’ and ‘Fenian Cunts’, proving that the band cannot be silenced.
To all the artists, staff, crew, vendors, partners, and of course, all of you who came to party, THANK YOU so FUCKING much! Wide Awake wouldn't be the same without the people who make it happen (I guess that includes us lol).
We may have only just recovered from what was arguably the best Wide Awake yet, but we’re already jonesing for the next one
