The Beat-Herder Festival 2025 triumphantly marked its 20th anniversary with a spectacular celebration of music, creativity, and community spirit. In a time when many festivals continue to face rising costs and uncertainty, Beat-Herder stood tall—delivering an unforgettable weekend packed with musical legends, rising stars, and an unmistakable atmosphere of togetherness.
This year’s lineup blended timeless icons with contemporary crowd-pullers, cementing Beat-Herder’s reputation for embracing dance music’s evolution while honouring its roots. Festivalgoers were treated to exhilarating sets from Armand Van Helden, Fabio & Grooverider with The Outlook Orchestra, Hybrid Minds, Claude VonStroke, DJ Tennis, HAAi, Mr Scruff, and Fish56Octagon—each bringing their own signature energy to the fields of the Ribble Valley.
Manchester’s own multi-talented Youngr once again delivered an electric performance, dazzling the crowd with his impressive blend of drumming, guitar, vocals, and production.
While headliners like Armand Van Helden and Fabio & Grooverider drew huge crowds to the main stage, much of the magic was found in the festival’s signature stages—Toil Trees, The Fortress, and The Ring—where ravers danced under canopies of lights and woodland sculptures well into the night.
Despite its grassroots origins, Beat-Herder delivered a highly polished and immersive experience across all areas. The festival’s imaginative layout included quirky hidden spaces, colourful art installations, a secret swimming pool, a fully functioning church stage, and whimsical surprises that encouraged exploration and spontaneity.
With a reduced capacity continuing from 2024’s successful formula, this year’s edition felt intimate yet electric—echoing the spirit of earlier Beat-Herder gatherings. Social media was flooded with praise for the close-knit community vibe, high-quality sound systems, and Beat-Herder’s ability to retain its soul while adapting to the times.
The 2025 edition showcased the festival’s commitment to curating a sonic journey across decades. From the classic house and electro of Armand Van Helden to the futuristic beats of HAAi and the heartfelt drum & bass of Hybrid Minds, Beat-Herder once again proved it’s more than just a dance music event—it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection.
Beyond the music, Beat-Herder delivered on every level. Diverse food vendors, independent market stalls, fairground rides, and sprawling camping zones provided comfort and variety, ensuring there was something for everyone.
The Beat-Herder Festival 2025 wasn’t just a party—it was a love letter to 20 years of freedom, unity, and musical discovery. As the sun set on an unforgettable weekend, one thing was certain: Beat-Herder remains one of the UK’s most cherished festivals. Here’s to the next 20 years—and we’ll definitely be back.
Photography credit Andrew Whitton
Atmosphere & Vibes
From the moment I arrived, the festival’s “hedonistic spirit” was unmistakable. Friendships sparked across stages, campsites buzzed with creativity, and the independent ethos shone through—echoing co‑founder Nick Chambers’s belief in real people and authentic music experiences MANCHESTER PULSE. This is a festival where strangers become friends, and every corner holds a new surprise.
Music Highlights
Thursday Night Kick-Off
- Toil Trees lit up with the TikTok sensation Fish56Octagon and dancefloor staples like Darius Syrossian, Slipmatt, Clara B, and Emma Forster. A buoyant, genre-bending opening to the weekend MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2.
- The Ring exploded with drum & bass powerhouses: Goldie, Anaïs, Doktor, Benny Page, DJ Helen, Dom James, and G-Breezy. The energy was infectious MANCHESTER PULSE+8MANCHESTER PULSE+8MANCHESTER PULSE+8.
Main Stage Magic
- Friday: Armand van Helden dropped classic house anthems—an absolute high point MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2.
- Saturday: Fabio & Grooverider closed with a masterful jungle set backed by The Outlook Orchestra—pulsating nostalgia and raw energy MANCHESTER PULSE+1MANCHESTER PULSE+1.
- Sunday: Hybrid Minds brought emotional liquid drum & bass, while Nubiyan Twist and Manudigital added soulful and reggae-infused layers MANCHESTER PULSE.
Forest & Fortress Zones
- Toil Trees again thrilled with Claude VonStroke, HAAi in the woods, DJ Tennis, ZERO 7—and Mr Scruff near dawn delivering a genre-defying four-hour closing odyssey MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2.
- The Fortress roared with acid, techno, UKG, and jungle legends like Dave Clarke, Dillinja, Ammara, Posthuman, and D.A.V.E the Drummer MANCHESTER PULSE+1MANCHESTER PULSE+1.
The Creative Wonderland
Beat‑Herder’s visual landscape is just as alive as its sound. Sculptures towered over secret pathways, “teleporting” phone boxes invited spontaneous joy, and an actual secret swimming pool offered refreshing interludes. Parishes, stained-glass installations, and immersive church-inspired spaces transformed the grounds into a storytelling canvas MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2MANCHESTER PULSE+2.
Community & Intimacy
Despite a stellar lineup, the vibe remained intimate—much like the downsized but vibrant 2024 edition MANCHESTER PULSE. You could wander freely between stages, stumble on surprise performances, or just chill with newfound mates by the river. It’s rare to find a festival with such a personal feel amidst world-class musical offerings.
Final Take
Beat‑Herder’s 20th birthday was a heady celebration of twenty years of music, mischief, and meaning. It hit peak moments with blockbuster sets and heartfelt nostalgia, but never lost its soul. If you’re after festival magic that balances sonic brilliance with warm community spirit and immersive visual wonder, Beat‑Herder 2025 is where it all comes alive. Here’s to another two decades—and all the late-night dancefloor memories yet to come.
Tickets for 2026 will be on sale on 31 July!!!
MANCHESTER PULSE 