Top Moments from Forest Fest 2025 – And Why I’ll Be Back Next Year
By Main Stage Standouts: Powerhouse Performances
I’m still buzzing from an unforgettable weekend at Forest Fest in Emo. With the sun shining most of the weekend, the atmosphere was pure magic. This year’s festival was nothing short of brilliant—great music, good vibes, and that rare feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
Friday
From the moment I arrived on Friday, it was clear the crowds were bigger than ever—general camping was packed! But credit where it’s due, toilets were clean, showers worked, and the food stalls… Top-notch, so no moaning from me.
The Forest Stage kicked off at 5pm with a stacked lineup that promised a big night—Something Happens set the tone early, followed by Tom Meighan, Franz Ferdinand, The Dandy Warhols, and the always crowd-pleasing Live Forever Oasis tribute. Each act brought their own flavour, but for me, the night belonged to Tom Meighan and Franz Ferdinand.
Tom Meighan’s solo set was a real standout—raw, electrifying, and full of conviction. He’s clearly found his stride post-Kasabian, and the crowd responded in kind, singing along and surging with every beat. There was a real connection between stage and audience.
Then came Franz Ferdinand, and they took things to a whole new level. Their set was a masterclass in festival performance—tight, energetic, and completely unrelenting. Tracks like Take Me Out and Do You Want To had the entire field jumping. You could feel the ground move beneath your feet. It wasn’t just nostalgia—it was a reminder of just how good they still are.
By the time Live Forever closed the stage with their tribute to Oasis, the crowd was in full singalong mode, but it was Meighan and Ferdinand who left the biggest mark.
Over at the Village Stage, the vibes were just as strong. Alabama 3, The Farm, The Four of Us, and Cry Before Dawn all pulled in big crowds—and for good reason. Each act delivered with heart, and the atmosphere there, had its own special buzz. I found myself constantly darting between the Village and Main stages, trying to catch as much as possible without missing too many highlights. The lineup was just that good.
I did manage the occasional wander over to the Fleadh Stage and Perfect Day Stage, both offering great moments in their own right—especially for those seeking a more laid-back or eclectic sound. As for the Ibiza Tent, I poked my head in out of curiosity, but the thumping dance beats weren’t quite my scene. Still, it added another layer to a brilliantly diverse weekend of music, with Alabama 3 and Cry Before Dawn being my favourites.
Saturday
Tired, a bit bruised, and still feeling the effects of yesterday—as I think most of us were—Saturday was shaping up to be the most intense day yet, with a stacked lineup on the Forest Stage. Thumper, Aoife Destruction and The Nilz, Peter Hook & The Light, Therapy, The Stranglers, Kula Shaker, Manic Street Preachers, and Orbital all promised to deliver something special.
Of the lot, it was the Manics who truly stole the show for me. Their set was powerful, emotional, and full of the fire. In contrast The Stranglers and Peter Hook & The Light didn’t quite hit the mark—at least from where I was standing, the sound felt a bit off. Then again, it could’ve just been my weary festival ears.
I should also mention a really touching tribute to Dolores O’Riordan—Jack L and Motion Sickness came together for a beautiful collaboration that was truly memorable. It was superb, heartfelt, and one of those moments that gave you goosebumps. I absolutely loved it.
With the sad news filtering through that Phil Hartnoll of Orbital had been taken to hospital, combined with the creeping exhaustion, I decided to skip their set and head back to camp. Disappointed to miss them, of course, but sometimes tiredness wins out. Still, it had been an incredible day on the Forest Stage.
Over on the Village Stage, there was no shortage of standout moments. Kerbdog delivered a heavy, no-nonsense set that pulled in a serious crowd, while Pillow Queens brought their signature mix of grit and vulnerability that really connected. Coach Party were another highlight—tight, punchy, and full of infectious energy. Dirty Blonde surprised me too; a band I didn’t know much about beforehand, but they definitely left an impression.
And a special mention for Mary Coughlan. Her performance was something else, raw, and beautifully honest, she had the tent completely packed-out finishing to thunderous applause.
Saturday, in short, was a whirlwind. I found myself constantly dashing between stages, trying to soak in as much as possible. It was the kind of day that reminds you why festivals are so special—discovery, emotion, and the sheer joy of live music at every turn.
Sunday
Sunday arrived with a fresh wave of aches, sunburn, and that unmistakable festival fatigue—but there was no time for wallowing. The final day promised another run of must-see acts, and I wasn’t about to miss a minute. Over on the Main Stage, the lineup read like a who’s who of feel-good music: Nick Lowe brought his effortless charm, Bad Manners had the crowd skanking like it was 1981, and Jack L, as always, delivered a soaring, theatrical performance that really wowed the crowd.
Tony Hadley brought a dose of polished nostalgia to the day, his voice still every bit as rich and commanding as in his Spandau Ballet heyday. Then came Travis—one of the weekend’s most eagerly awaited acts—who delivered not just musically, but with a bit of unexpected drama. A fan leapt into the pit mid-set, adding a jolt of adrenaline, while frontman Fran Healy broke the fourth wall with a spontaneous walkabout through the crowd, creating one of those memorable festival moments.
Qween wrapped up the festival with a rousing tribute that turned the field into one giant singalong. Classics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Ga Ga had the crowd in full voice, arms waving in sync, what a way to end the weekend.
Meanwhile, on the smaller stages, there were still some cracking acts. Motion Sickness delivered a punchy, emotionally charged set, full of promise and edge. Fizzy Orange were a refreshing surprise—bright, confident, and clearly going places. Sunday might have been the last stretch, but there was still magic to be found if you kept moving.
What a day. What a weekend. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all—so many incredible acts, so many moments, and honestly, more than a few I missed simply because there just wasn’t enough time. But if you asked me whether it was worth it? Absolutely, without question.
Why I’ll Be Back Next Year
Forest Fest is so much more than just the music. It’s the friendships forged in queues and beer gardens, the stories swapped around campsite and that shared sense of joy that binds everyone together. Thousands of music lovers all gathered for the same reason: the love of live performance and the atmosphere that only a place like this can create.
And if there’s one phrase, I kept hearing again and again as people packed up and said their goodbyes, was: “See you next year.” That, more than anything, says it all.
Forest Fest isn’t just one of the best festivals around—it’s the kind of experience that stays with you, sparking stories and memories you’ll be sharing for a very long time.
“Oh yeah see you next year”