London’s Victoria Park has become the vibrant epicenter of a musical whirlwind this June, hosting the inaugural Lido Festival, a multi-day celebration of diverse genres and powerful performances. From the politically charged atmosphere of Massive Attack’s controversial set to the explosive energy of hardcore pioneers Turnstile, and culminating with indie-pop luminaries London Grammar, the festival has woven a rich tapestry of sound and sentiment that reflects the complexities of modern music culture.
The festival’s opening week was marked by the headline performance of Massive Attack on June 6, 2025, an event that quickly became a flashpoint for controversy. An Israeli concertgoer, attending with friends, described feeling “ambushed and unsafe” amid what he called a “really hostile” and politicized environment. The fan, a longtime admirer of the band, was taken aback by the overtly political messaging that overshadowed the music. “When we arrived at the festival in Victoria Park, we saw a lot of ‘Free Palestine’ pins and T-shirts. We didn’t make anything out of it,” he recounted. “I wanted to hear Massive Attack, as someone who grew up on their music. I had no idea about any of their political views … They lost me as a fan.”
Before Massive Attack took the stage, actor and pro-Palestinian activist Khalid Abdalla, known for his role in “The Crown” and as a patron of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), addressed the crowd. Abdalla framed the pro-Palestinian movement as “the civil rights movement, the anti-apartheid movement, [and] the anti-genocide movement of our time,” emphasizing the involvement of Jewish supporters in the cause. He led the audience in chants of “free Palestine,” setting a charged tone for the night.
The band’s set was accompanied by large-screen projections displaying anti-Israel videos, including footage of Yahya Sinwar, the slain Hamas leader behind the devastating October 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel, walking through tunnels used by militants. Another video called for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a convicted Palestinian terrorist. The Israeli attendee, who lost friends in the 2023 attack, found this deeply troubling. “The concept of giving terrorists a stage is beyond me,” he said. “When we see Sinwar walking in the tunnels, it means we see our families and other Israelis in the tunnels. For us, it was glorifying him.”
Feeling intimidated and threatened, the concertgoer and about 15 others left the event early. They later confronted festival promoters, expressing their concerns and were met with an apology and a full refund covering tickets, travel, and expenses. The fan accused the organizers of false advertising, lamenting the lack of warning about the event’s political nature. “Massive Attack have a right to do the show as they want to, but the fact that no one told us PSC were going to be on stage – that it would be an orchestrated political event – it’s not about me being pro-Palestinian or not,” he explained. “I didn’t know I was going to see propaganda on stage. It caught us off guard completely.”
Massive Attack, a Bristol-based band known for their cultural boycott of Israel since 1999 and vocal criticism of Israeli policies, responded by stating that the videos shown did not glorify or celebrate any featured subjects and were taken out of context.
Just over a week later, on June 14, Victoria Park hosted another headline moment, this time for the hardcore scene’s ultimate ambassadors: Turnstile. The Baltimore quintet took the stage for their biggest-ever UK headlining show, performing to a crowd of over 15,000 at the Lido Festival’s Outbreak London edition. Outbreak, a festival that began in Manchester over 15 years ago as a hardcore-only event, had expanded its horizons to include a broader spectrum of genres, reflecting the evolving tastes of its audience.
Turnstile’s set was a masterclass in genre fusion, blending the raw aggression of their early hardcore roots with the groove-laden melodies of their latest album, NEVER ENOUGH. Frontman Brendan Yates reminisced about their first UK show at Outbreak in 2013, marveling at how far they’d come. “Here we all are together 12 years later – what an amazing gathering of beautiful bands and people. We love you,” he told the crowd.
The performance was explosive and fluid, seamlessly weaving new tracks like the title song NEVER ENOUGH with fan favorites such as “T.L.C. (TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION)” and “Pushing Me Away.” The relentless energy of the crowd created a massive dust cloud as mosh pits raged throughout the set. The show also featured special moments, including a flute interlude by jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings and a surprise appearance by Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes during the anthemic “ALIEN LOVE CALL.” The night closed with the wild crescendo of “BIRDS,” leaving security staff with their hands full.
Outbreak London’s inclusion in the Lido Festival marked a significant milestone for the hardcore scene, signaling its growth beyond niche status while maintaining its core ethos. The festival’s main stage showcased diverse acts like slacker rock band Momma, crossover rapper Danny Brown, and indie artist Alex G, while tents featured hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose and Speed, drawing enthusiastic crowds.
As the festival approached its final day, London Grammar prepared to headline their own curated day on Sunday, June 15, 2025, closing out the first year of the Lido Festival. The indie pop trio’s lineup promised a blend of established and emerging talent across three stages. On the main stage, Dan Whitlam, Waisia Project, Roisin Murphy, Celeste, and London Grammar themselves were set to perform. Stage 2 featured Clementine Douglous, Pip Millett, Neil Frances, and Maverick Sabre, while The Club stage hosted Nia Wyn, The White Gates Band, Pamela, Olivia Lunny, and Holly Walker.
London Grammar’s day is poised to provide a fitting conclusion to a festival that has already made waves with its eclectic programming and bold artistic choices. From the politically charged moments of Massive Attack’s set to the genre-defying celebration of hardcore with Turnstile, and the anticipated indie elegance of London Grammar, the Lido Festival has established itself as a dynamic new fixture in London’s vibrant music scene.
As the city’s parks continue to echo with the sounds of these diverse acts, the festival’s debut year underscores the power of music not only to entertain but to provoke, unite, and reflect the multifaceted nature of contemporary society.
