Festivals are the beating heart of musical discovery, where you can catch massive headliners and, let’s be honest, the real thrill: spotting the next big thing before they blow up. There’s nothing quite like vibing to an emerging artist’s set and realizing you’ve just found your new obsession.
As we gear up for the 2025 festival season in the UK, the scene is buzzing with fresh talent ready to steal the show. Here are 10 UK artists you need to see live this year – they’re already making waves and are set to light up the country’s biggest stages.
Lola Young
South London’s Lola Young is a name you’ll be hearing everywhere in 2025. Her soulful mix of R&B and pop is pure ear candy – think heartfelt lyrics wrapped in catchy hooks. She dropped the Messy EP and her album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway in 2024, with the track “Messy” hitting number one on the UK pop charts.
She’s also teamed up with FLO for a killer remix of “Get It Till I’m Gone” this year. With a BRITs Rising Star nod in 2021 and a Best Pop Act nomination for 2025, Lola’s star is shining bright. Her planned festivals include Glastonbury, Parklife, Reading and Leeds. Trust us, her live energy is electric – don’t sleep on this one.
Wunderhorse
Indie rock fans, meet your new favorite band: Wunderhorse. Led by Jacob Slater, these guys have been turning heads since their 2022 debut Cub. Their 2024 follow-up, Midas, has critics raving and fans packing out shows.
They’ve already toured with heavyweights like Fontaines D.C. and Pixies, and now they’re ready to bring their gritty garage-blues vibe to Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds in 2025. Rolling Stone UK’s got them on their “Future of Music 2025” list, and it’s easy to see why – their live sets are raw, loud, and unforgettable.
Lambrini Girls
Brighton’s punk rock rebels Lambrini Girls are here to shake things up. Their 2025 debut album Who Let the Dogs Out hit number 16 in the UK, and singles like “Big Dick Energy” and “Love” from 2024 are pure fire – unapologetic and in your face.
They’ve already smashed it at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds before, and they’re back in 2025 for round two, plus a stop at Latitude. If you’re craving a wild, sweaty mosh pit with a side of social commentary, these two are your go-to. Rolling Stone say they’ve got the fizz of their namesake drink, and we couldn’t agree more.
jasmine.4.t
Indie pop gem jasmine.4.t is breaking out in a big way. Signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label, she dropped her debut You Are the Morning in 2025, with tracks like “Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation” earning love from Pitchfork and The Line of Best Fit.
Their songs about queer belonging and trans love hit you right in the feels, making her a standout in today’s inclusive festival scene. They’re locked in for Reading & Leeds and Latitude – get ready for a set that’s as moving as it is catchy.
Good Neighbour
London duo Good Neighbours are your next festival must-see. Their 2024 self-titled EP gave us “Home,” a track that went viral online and turned them into instant crowd-pleasers. They’ve kept the momentum going with 2025 singles “Ripple” and a chilled-out “Ripple (soft version),” plus a BRITs Rising Star nomination.
You’ll find them at Reading & Leeds and Neighbourhood Weekender, bringing upbeat pop vibes that’ll have you singing along all day. These guys are pure fun – don’t miss out.
Pozer
UK rap’s rising star Pozer is bringing heat to the festival circuit. His 2025 mixtape A Jaguar’s Dream and singles like “Shanghigh Noon” and “Malicious Intentions” show off his sharp lyrics and unique flow. He’s already snagged a MOBO Award for Best Drill Act and landed on Rolling Stone UK’s digital cover—big moves for a fresh face.
Catch him at Reading & Leeds, where his live set is guaranteed to get the crowd hyped. This is UK rap’s future, right here.
Good Health Good Wealth
London’s Good Health Good Wealth are the wild cards you didn’t know you needed. Mixing hip-hop, electronic beats, and indie rock, they’re dropping multiple EPs in 2025, starting with the genre-bending single “The Cafe.” It’s got spoken word, soulful flows, and a psych-rock finish – basically, it’s a trip.
They’re hitting Reading & Leeds and Kendal Calling with their high-energy shows. If you’re into something fresh and unpredictable, these guys will blow your mind live.
English Teacher
Leeds’ English Teacher are indie rock royalty after their 2024 debut This Could Be Texas snagged the Mercury Music Prize. Their arty, post-punk sound has been winning over fans and critics alike since their early singles hit the radio. In 2025, they’re taking that magic to Glastonbury, Isle of Wight Festival, and Green Man Festival.
Their live shows are smart, intense, and totally captivating – perfect for anyone who loves a band with something to say.
Yard Act
Yard Act are Leeds’ minimalist rock heroes, and they’re bringing their quirky brilliance to 2025. Their 2022 debut Dark Days was Mercury Prize-shortlisted, and 2024’s Where’s My Utopia? kept the buzz alive.
They’re playing Bearded Theory and Isle of Wight Festival, where their sharp lyrics and stripped-back sound will stand out. If you’re after a set that’s clever, cool, and a little offbeat, Yard Act’s got you covered.
Pale Waves
Manchester’s Pale Waves have been festival faves for years, and they’re not slowing down. Their 2024 album Smitten dropped bangers like “Gravity” and “Slow,” building on early hype from BBC Sound of 2018 and an NME Award.
In 2025, they’re hitting Reading & Leeds, Latitude, and Isle of Wight Festival with their dreamy indie pop-rock mix. They’re the kind of band that gets everyone singing—reliable, fun, and always a good time.
The UK’s 2025 festival season is shaping up to be epic, and these 10 artists are proof of the insane talent coming through. From Lola Young’s soulful grooves to Lambrini Girls’ punk chaos, jasmine.4.t’s heartfelt pop, and Good Health Good Wealth’s genre-mashing madness, there’s something for every vibe. Hit up their sets, soak in the energy, and watch these rising stars take over the UK’s biggest stages. Your summer playlist just got a whole lot better.
Quick references to screenshot
Artists listed above by festival
| Festival Name | Featured Artists Performing |
| Glastonbury Festival | Lola Young, Wunderhorse, Lambrini Girls, English Teacher |
| Reading & Leeds Festival | Wunderhorse, Lambrini Girls, jasmine.4.t, Good Neighbours, Pozer, Good Health Good Wealth, Pale Waves |
| Latitude Festival | Lambrini Girls, jasmine.4.t, Pale Waves |
| Parklife Festival | Lola Young |
| Neighbourhood Weekender | Good Neighbours |
| Bearded Theory | Yard Act |
| Isle of Wight Festival | English Teacher, Yard Act, Pale Waves |
| Green Man Festival | English Teacher |
| Kendal Calling | Good Health Good Wealth |
Artists listed above quick facts
| Artist Name | Genre | Key Recent Release | Confirmed Major UK Festivals for 2025 |
| Lola Young | Soulful R&B/Pop | “Messy EP” (2024) | Glastonbury, Parklife |
| Wunderhorse | Indie Rock | “Midas” (Album, 2024) | Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds |
| Lambrini Girls | Punk Rock | “Who Let the Dogs Out” (Album, 2025) | Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Latitude |
| jasmine.4.t | Indie Pop | “You Are the Morning” (Album, 2025) | Reading & Leeds, Latitude |
| Good Neighbours | Alternative Pop | “Good Neighbours EP” (2024) | Reading & Leeds, Neighbourhood Weekender |
| Pozer | UK Rap | “A Jaguar’s Dream” (Mixtape, 2025) | Reading & Leeds |
| Good Health Good Wealth | Hip-Hop/Electronic/Indie | “The Cafe” (Single, 2025) | Reading & Leeds, Kendal Calling |
| English Teacher | Indie Rock/Art Rock/Post-Punk | “This Could Be Texas” (Album, 2024) | Glastonbury, Isle of Wight Festival, Green Man Festival |
| Yard Act | Minimalist Rock | “Where’s My Utopia?” (Album, 2024) | Bearded Theory, Isle of Wight Festival |
| Pale Waves | Indie Pop/Indie Rock | “Smitten” (Album, 2024) | Reading & Leeds, Isle of Wight Festival, Latitude |
Image credits:
jasmine.4.t: Crypticcoder / CC BY 4.0
English Teacher: Denmarc Creary
Disclosures: TheFestivals is funded through advertising and sometimes earns a commission on purchases made through links on this website, including in this article: None
Add as a preferred source