Live Review: All Points East Festival – 22nd August 2025 – Victoria Park, London, UK

The closing weekend of All Points East turned Victoria Park into a buzzing hub of electronic music with a stellar line-up. Even though a bit of a heatwave left the ground very dusty and dry, giving off serious East London “Burning Man” vibes, the energy was full throttle from start to finish. The heat and dust actually added something special, making the whole thing feel like a gritty, sun-soaked celebration where everyone was just there to lose themselves in the music.

With a long trek between the main stages and arriving a bit later than some of the early birds, who probably took the day off to get there on time, we settled in mostly at the main East stage. That way, we could snag a good spot for one of our favorite acts, Confidence Man. Luckily, we weren’t the only ones excited about the East stage, some other top picks of ours were playing there too, so we were in the right place at the right time.

Friday’s lineup was all about what’s new and next, no legacy acts, just fresh, boundary-pushing artists who – form the reaction of the masses – carried with them enormous followings. The crowd was definitely on the younger side, and the whole vibe reflected that, with a lineup packed with recent hitmakers who are shaping the future of pop and dance music. It felt like everyone was there not just to party but to witness the next big things in electronic music.

We arrived just in time to catch Shygirl and a troupe of backing dancers that danced around the musician with cocktails and cheeky smirks as the performer delivered a set that instantly pulled in a packed crowd. Her blend of sensuality, industrial sounds, and glitchy electronica had everyone hooked from the start. Even though her set was relatively short, it was super immersive. With her Mercury nomination and high-profile collabs under her belt, she brought a polished, artsy edge to the afternoon, definitely standing out from the bigger, louder acts around her.

Then came Confidence Man, who totally owned the East Stage with a wild, choreographed, and energetic performance. They played a mix of their quirky hits from earlier albums including Feels Like a Different Thing, C.O.O.L Party, and Boyfriend (Repeat), which had the crowd crouching and jumping on Janet Planet’s call, alongside tracks from their latest album 3AM (La La La) like I Can’t Lose You and So What. The whole festival site turned into a giant, glittering moshpit, with the crowd loving every second. Plus, they rocked their signature LED-lit cone bras and shoulder pads, adding a seriously cool visual element. A surprise guest spot from Jade on Gossip got everyone even more hyped. Their set was pure theatrical, high-energy joy, a perfect festival moment.

As the sun went down, Barry Can’t Swim closed the night with a headline set that felt both personal and uplifting. It was a big moment for Joshua Mainnie, his first major UK festival headline, and he was celebrating his birthday that day, which made it feel even more special. His set took us through tracks from his 2023 debut When Will We Land? like Deadbeat Gospel and Woman, along with fresh songs from his just-released album Loner, including The Person You’d Like to Be, Different, Still Riding, About to Begin, and All My Friends. The new tunes got a great response, showing how much he’s grown as an artist.

The whole performance was lifted by an amazing light and laser show that made the dusty night feel magical. Colourful beams cut through the haze, giving the set a cinematic vibe that made it feel more like an experience than just a concert. Highlights like Sunsleeper and Dance Of The Crab had the crowd buzzing, and the smooth transitions kept the energy going strong.

Even with the dry, dusty ground, the festival’s vibe was only amplified. It felt like a real community celebration, made even better by the heat and grit.

Friday at All Points East was a lesson in smart lineup choices. Shygirl brought that cool, avant-garde edge, Confidence Man delivered wild, joyful chaos, and Barry Can’t Swim closed things out with heart and musical depth. It was a night that felt fresh and exciting, a festival experience that was all about today and tomorrow, not yesterday. The crowd was buzzing for what’s next, and honestly, it felt like this festival nailed exactly that.

Brendon Veevers

::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.