The global festival business never stands still, as evidenced by the raft of fresh events that launch every year. Here, IQ previews ten of the most talked about new festivals that artists and fans can look forward to attending during 2025…

FOREVER NOW (UK)
Location: Milton Keynes Bowl
Promoter: AEG Presents
Date: 22 June
Acts: Kraftwerk, The The, Billy Idol, Death Cult, Johnny Marr, Public Image Ltd, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Happy Mondays, The Damned

The UK sister event of US festival Cruel World, Forever Now is dedicated to post-punk music, fashion and literature.

It will feature two music stages, alongside a third stage, The Echo Chamber, hosted by music journalist John Robb, which will explore the artistry, movement and culture through in-depth discussions with renowned artists.

“We are delighted to present a festival that reflects the rich heritage of artists in the alternative music field,” said AEG UK CEO Steve Homer. “The day will feature some amazing artists, unique sets, and collaborations not seen on a UK stage before. As the birthplace of alt counterculture, the UK is the perfect home for a festival to pay homage to alternative creative artistry.’’

OFF-LIMITS FESTIVAL (UAE)
Location: Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Promoter: Theory Eleven Entertainment
Dates: 26 April
Acts: Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic, Kaiser Chiefs

The multi-genre Off-Limits Festival is being organised in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and immersive destination specialist Miral.

The one-day gathering will feature more than 20 acts across two stages devised by renowned stage designer Florian Wieder, creator of the bespoke outdoor venue utilised for Adele’s Munich residency this August.

COME TOGETHER (UK)
Location: Newcastle Town Moor
Promoter: TEG Europe
Dates: 4-8 June
Acts: Robbie Williams, Kings of Leon, Courteeners, Kaiser Chiefs, Perrie, Andrew Cushin, Lottery Winners

TEG Europe will collaborate with The Freemen of Newcastle and the City Council on the 45,000-cap Come Together, said to be the biggest festival the North East of England has ever seen.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring an event of this calibre to the North East,” said Toby Leighton-Pope, MD of TEG Europe. “Newcastle can expect an unforgettable festival experience featuring some of the biggest and best names in global music. This festival is all about celebrating the region, its culture, and its love for music, and we can’t wait to share more details in the coming weeks. We’re gearing up for what will be a landmark event for the region.”

BOARDWALK ROCK (US)
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Promoter: C3 Presents
Dates: 17-18 May
Acts: Def Leppard, Nickelback, Mötley Crüe, Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Alice Cooper, 3 Doors Down, Halestorm, Bush, Chevelle, Bret Michaels, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm

Live Nation-owned C3 Presents is launching the new two-day event with some of rock’s biggest names alongside contemporary favourites. Festivalgoers will also have access to the Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park located inside festival grounds.

LIDO FESTIVAL (UK)
Location: Victoria Park, London
Promoter: AEG Presents
Dates: 7-14 June
Acts: Jamie xx, Turnstile, Charli XCX, Arca, Sampha, Alex G, Panda Bear, Romy, 070 Shake, Danny Brown, A.G. Cook, Kelly Lee Owens

Lido, which will take place over two weekends in June, is named after the park’s historic Lido Fields and will showcase the “most current headliners and work closely with them to curate the line ups, reflecting their own musical passions, with a strong focus on emerging artists”. Manchester’s Outbreak Festival will also form part of the lineup.

“Lido Festival represents the next stage of AEG’s festival journey,” says Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG Presents. “The vision of supporting the artists’ journey further develops as we programme each day directly with the headliner. This delivers a show that fans know has the artists’ musical soul embedded throughout. This is one of the most exciting aspects of Lido Festival, knowing that everyone on the bill means something to the headliner closing out the show.”

MISNEACH (Australia/US)
Locations: The Domain, Sydney/TD Garden, Boston
Promoters: Frontier Touring/Live Nation
Dates: 16 March/19 March
Acts: Dermot Kennedy, The Frames, Matt Corby, Kneecap, Meg Mac, Amble, The Swell Season, Ye Vagabonds, Nell Mescal

Singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy is launching a brand new global Irish music festival, Misneach.

The 33-year-old Dubliner is planning the annual celebration of Ireland’s musical heritage to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day. Misneach, which means ‘Courage’ in Gaelic, will be held next March across two cities with strong Irish links: Sydney, Australia and Boston, US, with the twin festivals promising to focus on Irish music through lineups curated by Kennedy in partnership with Ireland Music Week.

“With this inaugural year we hope to begin an annual tradition that will enrich the St Patrick’s day celebrations around the world with music and the arts, by showcasing some of the best new and established Irish musical talent, as well as musical talent of the Irish diaspora,” said Kennedy.

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL (Belgium/Netherlands/Switzerland)
Locations: Trix, Antwerp/Tivola Ronda, Utrecht/Komplex 457, Zurich)
Promoters: Live Nation Belgium/Jera Presents/Good News Productions
Dates: 27 May/29 May /1 June
Acts: The Used, Neck Deep, Zebrahead, The Ataris, March, New Found Glory

Slam Dunk Festival is expanding to Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland as part of its “European takeover” in 2025 in collaboration with local partners.

The one-day pop-punk, emo, metal and ska-themed festival, which launched in the UK in 2006 before adding stops in France and Italy, will take place in six markets overall across one week next May/June.

FAJER FESTIVAL (Poland) 
Location: Silesian Park, Chorzów
Promoter: DM Agency
Dates: 21-22 August
Acts: Scooter, Bass Astral

German happy hardcore legends Scooter will headline the inaugural edition of Poland’s two-day Fajer Festival this summer. The event will feature separate days dedicated to electronic music and hip-hop, with further acts to be announced.

AURA (Bulgaria)
Location: Arena Sofia
Promoter: FEST Team
Dates: 20-22 June
Acts: Hardwell, Lost Frequencies, Afrojack

A three-day electronic music gathering, AURA is billed as “a space where music, art and sensory experiences merge into a magical adventure”. Themed “The Heavenly Gardens”, organiser FEST Team promises its first edition will be not only a musical but a visual spectacle that will “transform the boundaries of the traditional music festival”.

RASEBORG SUMMERFEST (Finland)
Location: Stallörsparken, Ekenäs
Promoter: All Things Live
Dates: 15-16 August
Acts: Miss Li, Bo Kaspers Orkester, Pandora, Linnea Henriksson, KAJ

All Things Live’s new two-day festival in Finland will focus on Swedish artists. Staged in collaboration with Noho Partners, it will take place in the bilingual town of Ekenäs, where the majority of residents are Swedish speakers.

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Romania’s Electric Castle has unveiled Justin Timberlake, Queens of the Stone Age, Justice and Bicep present Chroma AV among its first wave of artists as 2025’s European festival bills continue to take shape.

The Transylvanian festival has also announced Shaggy, Refused, Leprous, The Amazons, The Sisters of Mercy, Netsky b2b NGHTMRE, Hot Since 82, Sofi Tukker, Soft Launch, ÂME, Joey Valence & Brae, Nilüfer Yanya, Kings of the Rollers, Urbandawn, Dub Pistols, Unglued, Sparrow & Barbossa and Romare. The event is set for the grounds of Banffy Castle between 16-20 July.

In Hungary, Budapest’s Sziget (6-11 August) will be headlined by Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Anyma, with other acts including Kneecap, Papa Roach, The Blessed Madonna, Justice, Adriatique, Blossoms, RY X, Brutalismus 3000, Nelly Furtado, Young Marco and Sama’ Abdulhadi.

Bilbao BBK Live brings headliners Kylie Minogue, Pulp, Michael Kiwanuka, Bad Gyal and Raye to Kobetamendi from 10-12 July. Also on the bill are Alice Phoebe Lou, Amyl And The Sniffers, Bicep presents Chroma AV, The Blessed Madonna presents We Still Believe, Jalen Ngonda, Jessica Pratt, L’impératrice, Makaya McCraven, Nathy Peluso, Obongjayar, Sofie Royer and Wunderhorse.

France’s Hellfest (19-22 June) in Clisson is headed by Korn, Muse, Scorpions and Linkin Park. The lineup also includes Till Lindemann, The Hu, Cypress Hill, Refused, Myles Kennedy, Eagles of Death Metal, Electric Callboy, Judas Priest, Falling in Reverse, Turnstile, Knocked Loose, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Within Temptation and A Day To Remember, among others.

Charli XCX, Queens of the Stone Age and Girl in Red join the previously announced Chappell Roan in topping the bill at Norway’s Øya Festival (5-9 August). The Oslo gathering will also welcome Montell Fish, Fontaines D.C., Kneecap, The Mary Wallopers, Nilüfer Yanya, Pa Salieu, Brenn, Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Amenra, Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers, Envy and Klikk9.

Syd for Solen (7-9 August) in Søndermarken, Frederiksberg, Denmark, also has Chappell Roan and Queens of the Stone Age, plus a supporting cast including Khruangbin and MJ Lenderman & The Wind.

Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., Khruangbin, Bicep and Beth Gibbons are among the first names confirmed for Flow Festival Helsinki (8-10 August). Veronica Maggio, Autechre, Kneecap, Montell Fish, Joy Orbison, Avalon Emerson, Sexmane, Pehmoaino: ”Sätkynukkekoti”, Pariisin Kevät, Melo, Saimaa, Regina: Soita Mulle, DJ Ibusal, Emma & Matilda and Good Boys also feature.

Kings of Leon, Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., St Vincent and Yard Act will play Croatia’s INmusic 

Czechia’s Colours of Ostrava (16-19 July) has Iggy Pop, Sting, The Chainsmokers, Justice and Snow Patrol alongside the likes of Sofi Tukker, Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere, Noga Erez, Kalush Orchestra, J.A.R., James Smith, and Loverman.

The Netherlands’ Best Kept Secret (13-15 June) has booked artists including Barry Can’t Swim, Deftones, Michael Kiwanuka, Eefjee De Visser, TV on the Radio, Wilco, Djo, Kneecap, Caribou, Amadou & Mariam and Blanco White.

Headlining Scotland’s TRNSMT (11-13 July) are 50 Cent, The Script, Biffy Clyro, Fontaines D.C., Snow Patrol and Gracie Adams. The Glasgow Green event will also star Confidence Man, Jamie Webster, Kneecap, Inhaler, Jack Bugg, The Kooks, Sigrid, Underworld, Wunderhorse, The Lathums and Shed Seven.

Also in the UK, Boomtown Chapter 4: Power Of Now (6-10 August) will host Maribou State, Sean Paul. Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Overmono, Hybrid Minds, Nia Archives, Azealia Banks and Rudimental. Held at Hampshire’s Matterley Estate Boomtown will also star performers such as The Wailers, Boney M, The Blessed Madonna, Joy Orbison, Anfisa Letyago, Pa Salieu, Kurupt FM, Honey Dijon, Kenya Grace, Nova Twins and Fat Dog.

Caribou, Father John Misty, Self Esteem and Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory will grace Dorset’s End of the Road (28-31 August), with other acts including Black Country, New Road, Ela Minus, Emma-Jean Thackray, Joy Orbison, Moonchild Sanelly, These New Puritans and Mount Kimbie.

Elsewhere, Kings of Leon, Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., St Vincent and Yard Act will play INmusic (23-25 June) in Zagreb, Croatia, while Afrojack Hardwell, Timmy Trumpet, Oliver Heldens, Sara Landry, I Hate Models, W&W and Steve Aoki top the bill at Germany’s largest electronic music festival Parookaville (18-20 July).

And Belgium’s Gent Jazz (4-19 July) has announced Max Richter, St Vincent, The Waterboys, Kamasi Washington, Anna Calvi, Bonnie Raitt, Anoushka Shankar and Lander & Adriaan so far.

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The 2025 festival calendar is starting to take shape with a number of major events releasing their lineups.

Northern Europe’s largest festival, Denmark’s Roskilde, has unveiled the first wave of artists for its 53rd edition next summer, including headliner Stormzy.

Arca, Fontaines D.C., Magdalena Bay, Beth Gibbons, Electric Callboy, Jessica Pratt, Geordie Greep, Sanam, Esy Tadesse, MØ and Faye Webster are also among the first 28 acts to be confirmed for the 28 June to 5 July event.

“At Roskilde Festival, we aim to lay the groundwork for a brighter future by inspiring hope and action for new generations,” says CEO Signe Lopdrup. “We combine big utopian visions with tangible, everyday solutions that point towards new paths. Art plays a crucial role as a catalyst for change, and in 2025, participants at Roskilde Festival will experience an engaging and progressive lineup across music, performances, art installations, and activism.”

For the first time, two-day tickets are being introduced, allowing participants to choose any two of the festival’s final four days for DKK 2,070 (€278). Full festival tickets are priced DKK2,520.

Belgium’s Rock Werchter (3-6 July), meanwhile, has confirmed Sam Fender as its second headliner. The British singer-songwriter, who first performed on the festival’s discovery stage Slope in 2018, will close the main stage on 5 July, joining Green Day (4 July) at the top of the bill.

Following a record year, Germany’s Jazzopen (2-13 July) is expanding its 7,500-cap main stage lineup to seven days. The Stuttgart festival will host the likes of Kylie Minogue, Raye, Jacob Collier, Jean-Michel Jarre and Lionel Richie, while Joe Bonamassa will play at the Blues Night on 10 July..

“We are going all in with this lineup,” says promoter Jürgen Schlensog. “The programme couldn’t be more colourful. We are looking forward to three generations on stage and in the audience.”

Also in Germany, MS Dockville, which will take place in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg on 15-16 August, will announce one act per day this week, with The Last Dinner Party the first to be unveiled, while Simple Minds (24 July) and Thirty Seconds to Mars (5 July) are the first artists announced for Italy’s Lucca Summer Festival.

Elsewhere, Deftones have announced their first UK performance since 2022, with their biggest UK show to date set for London’s Crystal Palace Park on 29 June, alongside special guests Weezer and High Vis. The park will also host a sold-out headline show from Rüfüs Du Sol on 5 July.

American folk-pop star Noah Kahan will also play his biggest UK concert yet when he headlines BST Hyde Park in London on 4 July.

South Wales’ In It Together (23-25 May) will be headlined by Kaiser Chiefs, Becky Hill and Ronan Keating. Also on the bill are acts including Myles Smith, James Morrison, Daniel Bedingfield, Peter Doherty, Bru-C, Josh Baker, SHY FX, Nova Twins, David Rodigan, Jason Donovan, Sugarhill Gang and Vengaboys, among others. Tickets are already 75% sold out, according to organiser Escape.

Mexico’s Tecate Pa’l Norte returns to Monterrey, Nuevo León, between 4-6 April, featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Charli XCX, 
Kings of Leon, Massive Attack, Seventeen, Fall Out Boy, Gesaffelstein, Black Keys, Caifanes, Benson Boone, Parcels, 
The Chainsmokers, and Garbage, among others.

And in the US, Las Vegas Festival Grounds will once again welcome When We Were Young on 18 October, topped by Panic! at the Disco and Blink-182. Other names include Weezer, Avril Lavigne, The Offspring, All Time Low, The Used, Knocked Loose and The Gaslight Anthem.

The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami will run from February 28 to March 2, with headliners including Jon Batiste & Friends, Janelle Monáe and an Afro-Cuban La Descarga (improvised jam session) hosted by Batiste and Cimafunk, with Alfredo Rodriguez, Cimafunk & La Tribu, Pedrito Martinez, Robe L Ninho, Wampi, Yissy Garcia and Monsieur Periné.

The intimate 1,500-cap festival, which will be staged at The Hangar at Regatta Cove in Coconut Grove, also includes the return of the Legendary Montreux Jam Session each night of the festival, curated by Batiste and featuring his band Stay Human, as well as a series of masterclasses available to VIP ticket holders.

Fall Out Boy and The Killers will headline the seventh annual Innings Festival (21-22 February) at Arizona’s Tempe Beach Park & Arts Park. Bringing together 18 artists across two stages for no overlapping sets, thelineup includes Incubus, The Black Keys, Slightly Stoopid, The All-American Rejects, eck, Gary Clark Jr., Boyz II Men and Jack’s Mannequin, among others.

Plus, The Lumineers and Kacey Musgraves will headline the second Extra Innings Festival at the same venue on 28 February and 1 March. The 2025 lineup brings 20 artists to two stages for no overlapping sets from Kings of Leon, Megan Moroney, The Red Clay Strays, Maren Morris, Grace Potter, O.A.R., Wyatt Flores, Sam Barber, Trampled by Turtles and more.

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Jeff Lynne’s ELO have been announced as the first headliner of BST Hyde Park 2025 in what will be the rock legends’ last ever show.

The band’s “final goodbye” will take place on the UK site’s Great Oak Stage on Sunday 13 July. Tickets go on sale this Friday (25 October).

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO are loved the world over,” says Jim King, CEO of European festivals at promoter AEG Presents. “The live shows are nothing short of extraordinary and a testament to the incredible catalogue of hits we’ve enjoyed for over 50 years. Hosting their final performance at BST Hyde Park is a true honour, especially 30 years after their first festival show in the same park. We’re excited to be part of this special moment in music history.”

The London concert series’ 2024 lineup was topped by SZA, Kings of Leon, Morgan Wallen, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Stevie Nicks, Kylie Minogue and Stray Kids over three weekends.

“My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014,” explains Jeff Lynne. “It seems like the perfect place to do our final show.”

Other 2025 lineup announcements include Spain’s Cruïlla, which has confirmed Thirty Seconds to Mars and Alanis Morissette for its 15-year celebration, which will be held at Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona from 9-12 July.

Sweden Rock Festival has unveiled its first 24 bands, including Slipknot, Sabaton, Scorpions and Korn

Set for Sölvesborg from 4-7 June, Sweden Rock Festival has unveiled its first 24 bands, including Slipknot, Sabaton, Scorpions, Korn, Dream Theater, King Diamond, Opeth, Kreator, Meshuggah, Running Wild and Black Country Communion.

Elsewhere, Roma Summer Fest, which runs at the Cavea at Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone in the Italian capital from June 5 to September 16, has started rolling out its 2025 schedule. Confirmed so far are Steven Wilson (8 June), six nights with Ludovico Einaudi, (12-18 June), Rufus du Sol (21 June), Sigur Rós accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra (12-13 September).

“They outline a varied programme designed for all genres,” says Fondazione Musica per Roma CEO Raffaele Ranucci.

In addition, Rock in Roma has revealed Fontaines D.C. (18 June), Finley (24 June), Sfera Ebbasta and Joe Bonamassa (both 19 July).

In the UK, Mighty Hoopla (31 May-1 June) will bring headliners Ciara and Kesha to London’s Brockwell Park. Other acts will include Loreen, Erika Jayne, Jojo, Mutya Buena, Daniel Bedingfield, Daphne and Celeste, Jamelia, The Artful Dodger, G Flip, Vengaboys, Lemar, Pixie Lott and Kate Nash & The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Richard Ashcroft is the first headliner confirmed for Nocturne Live (18-22 June) at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. He will be joined by Lightning Seeds and The Zutons on 19 June.

“Creating a festival with Morgan has been a dream come true, and some of the most fun I have ever had booking a show”

Meanwhile, Breakaway Music Festival is expanding to six new US markets in 2025: Atlanta, Dallas, Huntsville, Philadelphia, Phoenix and California, in a city to be confirmed. The brand already has a presence in Tampa, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Worcester and Charlotte.

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen is launching Sand in My Boots festival between 16-18 May, in collaboration with AEG and the Hangout Festival. Taking over the Hangout site on Gulf Shores, Alabama, it will be headlined by Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn and Hardy and Wallen. The multi-genre bill also includes the likes of T-Pain, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Three 6 Mafia, Moneybagg Yo, The War on Drugs, 3 Doors Down, Future Islands and Real Estate.

“Creating a festival with Morgan has been a dream come true, and some of the most fun I have ever had booking a show,” says Stacy Vee, EVP of Goldenvoice and producer of Stagecoach. “I can’t wait for fans to come and experience one of the most eclectic and electric lineups and on-site experiences the world has ever seen.”

AEG Presents and Hangout Festival producer Reeves Price adds: “The opportunity to bring Morgan’s world to life on the beach in Gulf Shores is something very special. The fact that it coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Hangout Festival only makes it more special.”

Another US festival debutant is November Nights, which will launch at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on 16 November this year, featuring artists such as Weezer, Sublime, Third Eye Blind, Rubelution, The Head and The Heart, and the Violent Femmes.

Curated by Tyler, the Creator, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival will be headlined by the rapper alongside Playboi Carti, Erykah Badu and André 3000 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on 16-17 November 2024. The festival’s 10th edition will also feature the likes of Raye, Kaytranada, Sexyy Red, Vince Staples, Omar Apollo, Faye Webster and Doechii.

And Hong Kong’s Clockenflap (29 November-1 December 2024) has named Central Cee as its Saturday night headliner. Other additions include Banks, Wisp, Serrini, Carl Wong And The Hats On Band ft Jer Lau, The Black Skirts, Misi Ke, Hiperson, Ena Mori and Turtle Island. The join previously announced headliners Jack White and Air, as well as St Vincent, Jamie xx, Suede, Glass Animals, Mother Mother, Porter Robinson, Fat Dog, A-Trak, Sim0ne, Partiboi69 and Dave Clarke, among others.

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