Primavera Sound 2025 Brought The Powerpuff Girls and More
Written by Laura Cameron | Photos courtesy of Laura Cameron & Primavera Sound Press
Full festival gallery here
Primavera Sound returned for its 23rd year last weekend (June 4-6th, 2025) better than ever. With pop headliners that were on everyone’s lips— Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan— as well as their sets and more streaming online on Amazon Music. Over the weekend the festival hosted 293,000 people— a record for the festival, with 65% coming from overseas.
Here are my highlights from the weekend:
The Powerpuff Girls
Having The Powerpuff Girls statue greet you as you enter the festival was a treat and a popular selfie spot. To represent the three headliners – Blossom (Chappell Roan) Bubbles (Sabrina Carpenter) and Buttercup (Charli XCX.) The festival even had t-shirts, which sold out quickly.
The Music
Thursday
Yawners – Based in Madrid, they provided excellent indie rock on the Amazon Music stage.
Photo by Sergio Albert, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
IDLES – On before FKA Twigs on the Revolut stage, to one of the best crowds of the weekend with a giant mosh pit and some of the band members going into the crowd. They always deliver an excellent show, but this was one of their best. Really enjoyed hearing some of the new songs from the latest album ‘TANGK.’
Photo by Clara Orozco, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
FKA Twigs – One of my favorite performances of the weekend. Divided into three acts (“The Practice,” “State of Being” and “The Pinnacle.) all with outfit changes. It was her and her dancers as well as some playing some instruments. You could not look away with ‘Home With You’ being a highlight of the set – with a red wig and dress, and a piccolo player to the side. Was just FKA twigs and her voice. A one of a kind artist and performance.
Ending the set with “Cellophane” You could hear a pin drop, and to do so on a main stage of a festival is very rare. It was a set that will stay with me long after the weekend has ended.
Photo by Clara Orozco, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Spiritualized – Playing their album ‘Pure Phase’ with a string section to a packed Cupa stage. A beautiful set and liked it more than the record.
Photo by Gisela Jané, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Charli XCX and Troye Silvan Present SWEAT – The headliners of the first day. It was lots of fun and people were dancing all the way to the back of the main stages. The crowd appeared to be more into Charli’s sections of the show vs Troye. Seeing the now iconic tattered BRAT curtain and hearing the songs from BRAT live was a treat. As well as Chappell Roan as a guest doing the viral Apple dance as a lovely surprise. It was also Troye’s 30th birthday, which was celebrated at the end with a cake.
Photos by Henry Redcliffe, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Friday
Chloe Qisha – She played the Levi’s Plaza stage to 250 people in the round. It was her first festival season as an artist. A pop artist to watch.
HAIM – On the Revolut stage before Sabrina Carpenter. Opening with their biggest hit, ‘The Wire.’ They talked about their love of the festival and played singles from their new album ‘I quit’ coming out on June 20.th With ‘Relationships’ getting a big cheer from the crowd. Loved the electric ticker above them saying what they quit – such as winter, alcohol etc.
Photo by Gisela Jané, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Sabrina Carpenter – Really loved the 60s inspired staging and video interludes. She debuted her new single “Manchild.” As well covered ‘It’s Raining Men’ originally by The Weather Girls (which the crowd loved.) Plus, an interlude of ‘Pony’ by Ginuwine during ‘Bed Chem.’ Everyone was singing every word. Sadly, was standing in the back and it was really hard to hear her— the crowd was louder.
Photo by Sharon Lopez, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Carolina Durante – Indie Rock from Madrid. They were on the Amazon Music Stage right after Sabrina Carpenter. Was one of my favorite discoveries of the festival,
Photo by Eric Pamies, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
Saturday
Chappell Roan – With a giant castle set, Chappell played songs from her debut album ‘The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess’ to a sea of pink. As well as some new songs (The Subway, The Giver (in which Chappell read some of audience’s stories of people who did not ‘get the job done.’) She also covered ‘Barracuda’ by Heart. For me ‘HOT TO GO’ is always a highlight, as well as ‘Pink Pony Club.’
Photo by Clara Orozco, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
MJ Linderman – Sadly, he was on at the same time as Chappell Roan, so only caught the end of his set at the Cupa stage. With a blistering and fantastic live band, playing tracks from his latest ‘Manning Fireworks.’
Photo by Gisela Jané, Courtesy of the Primavera Sound Press Department.
ANOHNI and the Johnsons – My other favorite set of the weekend. With an oceanic background and interludes with interviews from scientists discussing the effects of coral bleaching and climate change. She played songs from across her career - solo and with the Johnsons. As well as a moving cover ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’, which led to something deeply moving. What a way to end the festival!
The Vibes and Surprises
The Fashion – From Brat Green tops to light blue babydoll dresses and cowboy hats. You could always tell who was playing what day.
Best New Stage - I really loved the Levi’s plaza, which was billed as a festival within a festival, with some artists playing in the round for 30 minute sets. They had some special Levi’s x Primavera items. You could also customize or bring your Levi’s items on site to add a variety of designs. I saw up-and-coming pop artist Chloe Qhisha perform to about 200 people. A much better use of the space compared to last year.
Best Installation – The Schwarzkopf hair studio, next to the Schwarzkopf stage. From hair spray to adding a little sparkle to your day. It was always fun to walk by and see what was going on. They even had haircuts, beard trimming, hair braiding, at a perfect location by the two lower stages. Also, the new drug testing area by the information booth is great.
Best Surprise: Tame Impala (DJ) – In a surprise announcement, Tame Impala did two DJ sets across the weekend. One inside the festival and one outside the festival.
Negatives
Similar to last year, with a sold-out festival felt the water points were lacking, with one water point sharing four stages - 501 Club, Cupa Pulse, Schwarzkopf, and Tramline. Also, the toilets near the main stages were difficult to access. There was always a long queue— especially on the Revolut side of the stage. It was hard to access once it was crowded. I also felt like there were less toilets this year vs last year.
Overall
Overall, I found this year’s Primavera Sound to be better than last year. With the new stages and activations, a much better use of the space. Onto 2026!
