From Friday, August 22 through to Sunday, August 24 the festival once again showed why it has become such a staple of the summer calendar – even if not everything hit the right note.
At just over an hour from London Waterloo, it’s the perfect festival spot for Londoners and visitors alike.
The weather this year couldn’t have been better.
The days were warm and sunny without tipping into the unbearable heat we’ve seen at some summer events, while the evenings cooled off enough to make you appreciate a jumper.
Being right on the seafront, there was always a coastal breeze – refreshing in the afternoons but noticeable once the sun went down.
Crucially, it stayed dry the whole weekend, which made the experience infinitely smoother.
One of the first things that struck me was just how much there is to do across the site.
The Kid’s Arena was far bigger than I expected, a reminder that Victorious prides itself on being a family-friendly festival.
Scattered around the grounds were smaller stages showcasing everything from local acts to global sounds.
The World Music Stage in particular stood out for its energy and variety – it gave the weekend a more international feel and was a refreshing break from the main stages.
For dance fans, Henry’s House was the clear hotspot.
With a strong lineup of DJs and an atmosphere reminiscent of a late-night club, it was a welcome contrast to the indie and pop offerings elsewhere.
However, its popularity meant long queues and a packed castle whenever I managed to get in.
Festival food is always hit or miss, but Victorious delivered some gems.
I had a Pad Thai and some churros, both of which were excellent – fresh, tasty, and not outrageously priced compared with what I’ve paid at other events.
Drinks, however, were another story.
At £15 for a Pimm’s, the bar prices felt more like central London than Portsmouth.
It added up quickly over three days and was easily my biggest gripe.
The surprise win of the weekend was the toilets.
Festival toilets usually come with low expectations, but I was genuinely impressed – they were consistently clean, stocked, and rarely had queues.
It sounds trivial, but anyone who’s endured Glastonbury or Reading will know how much this can lift the overall experience.
The VIP area was fine rather than fantastic – a quieter space to grab a drink and rest, but not exactly a luxury upgrade.
Still, having that escape from the busier sections was welcome at times.
Of course, the heart of any festival is the music.
Across the three days I managed to catch a solid mix of big names and rising talent.
Friday: Madness brought pure fun to the main stage, a joyous way to kick off the weekend.
The Kaiser Chiefs kept spirits high with their usual crowd-pleasers, and Daniel Bedingfield added some nostalgic hits.
Saturday: Travis proved why they remain festival favourites, and Nelly Furtado had the whole crowd dancing with a set stacked with classics.
A real highlight was Woody Cook in the Thatchers area – his DJ set was electric, showing off serious talent while carrying the legacy of his father, Fatboy Slim.
Sunday: The final day gave me my standout moment of the weekend – Gabrielle.
Her voice was flawless, and the crowd sang along to hit after hit.
It was a perfect dose of nostalgia and one of the best sets I saw all weekend.
Reverend and the Makers kept energy levels up, while Kings of Leon delivered the kind of stadium-sized performance you’d expect from them.
The Mary Wallopers had their Friday set cut short after displaying a Palestinian flag, sparking a wider fallout.
On Saturday, bands including The Last Dinner Party, Cliffords, and The Academic pulled out in protest.
The organisers initially cited the use of a “discriminatory” chant but later apologised and pledged a donation to humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people.
While festivals are first and foremost about music, they’ve always been spaces where artists use their platform to speak out.
Despite a few frustrations – overpriced drinks, the inevitable festival dust, and some organisational hiccups – Victorious Festival 2025 delivered a fantastic bank holiday.
It captured the balance of big-name headliners, local spirit, and a family-friendly vibe that makes it stand out from more corporate festivals.
For Portsmouth, it feels like a celebration of the city itself: the sense that “everyone knows everyone,” the seafront setting, and the community atmosphere give it a character all of its own.
I left on Sunday night tired, dusty, and considerably lighter in the wallet – but also smiling, singing Gabrielle choruses in my head, and already looking forward to next year.
