Residing within the Energy of Now [Event Review] – EARMILK

Boomtown has at all times defied straightforward definition. It isn’t merely a music pageant, however a whole metropolis constructed from creativeness, theatre, and group spirit, underpinned by a number of the most adventurous line-ups within the UK. For 2025, the Hampshire spectacular felt much more formidable. Its sprawling set design, storyline-driven performances, and kaleidoscopic forged of artists created a weekend that proved why Boomtown continues to occupy a singular area in pageant tradition.

The centrepiece of this evolution was the debut of the Lion’s Gate principal stage, changing Origin and setting the visible and thematic tone of the weekend. The stage’s unveiling additionally introduced affirmation of the following step in Boomtown’s narrative: Chapter 5 “Radical Redesign”, which can see the pageant return to its 2015 roots with the resurrection of the colossal Lion’s Den. For longtime followers, it was a symbolic second that signalled each progress and a return to heritage.

This yr’s theme, “The Energy of Now,” threaded via the complete weekend. It was greater than only a slogan. From the opening ceremony to the closing fireworks, the message was clear: immerse your self, be current, and let the town take over.

Thursday

Arriving on Wednesday gave time to soak up the brand new map and put together for what was to come back. By Thursday evening, Boomtown’s streets and woods have been alive with sound. Within the newly unveiled Anara Forest, Prozak opened proceedings earlier than Breaka b2b Surusinghe laid down a livid session of velocity storage, breaks, and bass that introduced the pageant had actually begun.

The primary actual goosebump second got here with Boomtown veteran Inja, who has develop into virtually inseparable from the pageant’s spirit. Performing his self-styled This Is Inja set on the new avenue venue Sub Bus stage, he seamlessly MCed and DJed by himself, dropping mega freestyles, forthcoming materials and the bangers we all know and love him for together with his and Serum‘s remix of Badger“Yapa” to the now-iconic “Shanice” that has develop into it is personal launched single and lighting up crowds all summer time. It was uncooked, emotional, and celebratory, a reminder of Boomtown’s means to show a efficiency into one thing deeply communal.

Elsewhere, Spectrum 360, curated by Mandidextrous, pushed the more durable and quicker finish of the spectrum, whereas the brand new Reactor: Pink Bull Selector stage flipped conference on its head by handing monitor choice over to the group. Inside a reactor-like construction, dancers waved pink or blue wristbands to decide on the DJ’s subsequent transfer, with Chloé Robinson orchestrating probably the most interactive events of the weekend.

Friday

Friday marked the pageant’s official opening, starting with a spine-tingling opening chapter efficiency of “Energy of Now” by Inja, Emily Makis and Kreed on Lion’s Gate while Eva Lazarus and Grove delivered their subsequent stage opening on Grand Central. As fireworks shot into the sky, the message to stay absolutely within the second rang out earlier than Born on Street took the reins with a high-octane two-hour set, filled with dubs, edits and visitor MCs Inja and Carasel that ensured the weekend began at full throttle.

The day continued with explosive vitality throughout the positioning. Gardna drew a packed Grand Central stage crowd together with his distinctive mix of bass and lyrical dexterity, whereas Hidden Woods hosted a soulful set from DJ AG, who invited Eva Lazarus and Ayadadream to affix in. Over in Space 404, Badger drew such a crowd that the Fallacious Aspect of the Tracks stage grew to become gridlocked, delivering an emotional golden-hour set that balanced playful pop edits with heartfelt drum and bass reworks, together with a hovering remix of Coldplay’s “Repair You”.

Later, Anara Forest grew to become a haven of reggae, dancehall and bass with Mungos Hello Fi, Eva Lazarus and Aziza Jaye, adopted by a heavyweight sequence from Flowdan and Basic Levy & Buddies that left the timber shaking. The evening carried a bittersweet edge as My Nu Leng introduced their cut up earlier this month, turning their Boomtown set right into a farewell drenched in nostalgia. Closing on the era-defining “Shizam”, it felt like a curtain name for a duo who helped outline a technology of UK bass music.

By night, the tempo lifted once more. Kurupt FM lastly graced a significant stage, bringing their tongue-in-cheek storage vitality and tongue-twisting bars to Grand Central. They have been adopted by Rudimental, who headlined Lion’s Gate as a part of BBC Radio 1’s Dance takeover, rounding off a day of emotional highs and frenetic vitality.

Saturday

Saturday unfolded as a masterclass in eclectic programming. On Grand Central, drum and bass pioneer Goldie commanded the stage together with his stay band and singers, mixing uncooked jungle energy with soulful thrives that highlighted his enduring affect. The Hydro stage adopted afterward with a twist, as Serum swapped his standard DnB arsenal for a particular 90s rave set, reviving breakbeats and euphoric synth strains for a crowd desirous to lose themselves in nostalgia.

From there, the vitality solely escalated. The tip of Ladies Don’t Sync led straight into one of many weekend’s most anticipated pairings: Skream b2b Partiboi69. The uncommon collaboration spanned storage, home, techno and bass, weaving in euphoric builds earlier than closing in mischievous vogue with Dizzee Rascal’s “Bassline Junkie” – a quintessentially Boomtown ending that was as tongue-in-cheek because it was euphoric.

Boomtown’s pleasure usually lies in its rogue choices, and Hold the DJs at Spectrum 360 proved precisely that. From bass-heavy mash-ups of Celine Dion ballads to impromptu crowd video games of musical statues, the set was equal elements chaos and catharsis, embodying the carefree spirit the pageant thrives on.

Later, MJ Cole Presents: Honest on the Nexus stage stay delivered a dose of UKG heritage earlier than the Lion’s Gate grew to become the epicentre as soon as extra. Nia Archives closed her set to rapturous applause, seamlessly handing over to Clipz b2b Lens, whose jungle and drum and bass blends stood out as one of many weekend’s most electrifying highlights.

As Saturday evening deepened, Mandidextrous closed out the Hydro stage, providing a journey in velocity bass and jungletek that pushed our bodies and minds to their limits. It was an training in underground sound and a fittingly ferocious send-off to Boomtown’s second evening.

Sunday

Sunday arrived with blistering warmth and the promise of one of many pageant’s greatest bookings. After daytime firepower from OKO b2b DJ Restricted and the ever-energetic Basslayerz at Lion’s Gate, consideration turned to Grand Central, the place Sean Paul delivered what will probably be remembered as one of many defining Boomtown moments.

The sheer dimension of the group spoke volumes, as hundreds packed the stage to bounce, sing and dutty wine to hits like “Get Busy”, “Temperature”, “Glue”, “Rockabye” and extra. His efficiency of “Darlin’”, his new collaboration with Luude and Brodie (who joined him stay on stage), underscored how seamlessly he can cross into the world of drum and bass. Because the solar set, the environment was euphoric, emotional and deeply nostalgic, a type of uncommon pageant moments that crystallises into reminiscence.

The nostalgia continued with Boney M, led by unique member Maizie Williams, whose disco anthems from “Daddy Cool” to “Rasputin” had the group in full voice. Hidden Woods supplied excessive vitality into the nightfall with Shogun Audio’s takeover, the place Emily Makis marked her birthday with a surprising, full throttle efficiency.

Because the weekend drew in direction of its shut, the emotional weight grew heavier. Maribou State supplied a soulful, vocal-led stay set that reminded everybody of Boomtown’s depth, whereas 4AM Kru delivered a powerhouse stay jungle efficiency at Grand Central. Accompanied by a dance crew whose stamina matched the music, they closed with “Ribena”, a feel-good anthem that epitomised the pageant’s vitality earlier than the ultimate ceremony started.

Closing Ceremony and Past

For the primary time, we determined to expertise the closing ceremony unfold at Grand Central reasonably than Lion’s Gate (beforehand Origin). The storyline revealed that The Collector, elected as chief in 2024, was not who he seemed to be, as The Community overthrew Mr Biga and emerged to share a message with the actual Collector to avoid wasting Boomtown. For outsiders, the plot could appear summary, however for Boomtown’s group it’s integral, fusing theatre, politics, and spectacle into the heartbeat of the pageant.

Accompanied by fireworks, lasers, pyrotechnics and a Prodigy-inspired jungle closing ceremony rating by Kreed and Pete Cannon, the finale encapsulated Boomtown’s artistic ambition. As the brand new map for 2026 and the “Radical Redesign” theme have been revealed, the group erupted, excited not only for subsequent yr’s acts, however for the continued story that ties this metropolis collectively.

Boomtown 2025 felt like a turning level. The enlargement of Lion’s Gate, the emotional weight of “The Energy of Now”, and the affirmation of Lion’s Den’s return all added to the sense of a pageant each reflecting on its historical past and reaching into the longer term.

If there’s one suggestion for 2026, it could be a return to secrecy across the lineup, encouraging individuals to attend for Boomtown itself reasonably than particular person stage takeovers or artists. That shock has at all times amplified the pageant’s distinctive magic.

But even with out it, Boomtown 2025 was a triumph. From Inja’s heartfelt Thursday evening set to Sean Paul’s roadblock Sunday, from My Nu Leng’s farewell to 4AM Kru’s euphoric finale, it was a weekend of highs, chaos and connection. Most of all, it was a reminder that the actual headline act at Boomtown is the group itself, united, if just for a couple of days, within the pure energy of now. An enormous shout out goes out to all of the artists, crew, acquainted and new faces, and new reminiscences made, uniting for this one particular weekend within the pageant calendar.

Tickets for Boomtown 2026, going down on the 12–sixteenth August at Matterley Property, at the moment are on sale. Extra info is on the market at www.boomtownfair.co.uk.

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