LIVE REVIEW
HARDWICK FESTIVAL 2025
Photos and review - James Robinson @shotsbyjsr
This year’s Hardwick Festival was another brilliant weekend that really showed why it’s become such a favourite on the North East festival calendar. bringing three days of music, entertainment and family fun to the beautiful grounds of Hardwick Hall. This year’s festival, as usual, struck a great balance between big-name performances, emerging talent, local talent and activities designed to make everyone from toddlers to grandparents feel welcome and part of the action.
On the music side, the lineup didn’t disappoint. Scissor Sisters brought pure party vibes with their colourful, high-energy, disco like set that had the crowd dancing from start to finish. Olly Murs was his usual cheeky and charismatic self, delivering hit after hit, even treating us to ten minutes of some cheeky 80s! Tom Walker impressed with his powerful vocals (and might I add, superb drummer!) while Sam Ryder’s set was a real discovery for some and went down a treat.
The Pet Shop Boys brought their legendary catalogue to life with great production and sound, a real spectacle for old and new fans alike, but the biggest highlight of the weekend for me had to be Scouting for Girls. Their performance was full of energy, nostalgia, and singalong anthems that had the whole field bouncing. The kind of set that has you singing and dancing with strangers! This is the second time they’ve played Hardwick while I’ve been attending, and it’s criminal they’re not further up the bill! I also can’t go without mentioning Rianne Downey who was incredible live and Deco who really brought the energy and an 80s synth vibe which really made them stand out. I’m excited to catch those two acts again as soon as I can.
Beyond the music, Hardwick really shone with its atmosphere. A great selection of food traders served up everything from festival classics to street food favourites, and the fair rides added an extra layer of fun for families and groups of friends alike. This year they added a yoga and mindfulness section, a space to come-down and relax a bit, as well as take part in some activities throughout the day. Something which is well needed when you’re at a festival for 3 days! The mix of music, activities, and entertainment made the festival feel like a proper summer celebration. Which thankfully, the British weather held off for! We were blessed with 3 days of sun and heat!
The Pet Shop Boys brought their legendary catalogue to life with great production and sound, a real spectacle for old and new fans alike, but the biggest highlight of the weekend for me had to be Scouting for Girls. Their performance was full of energy, nostalgia, and singalong anthems that had the whole field bouncing. The kind of set that has you singing and dancing with strangers! This is the second time they’ve played Hardwick while I’ve been attending, and it’s criminal they’re not further up the bill! I also can’t go without mentioning Rianne Downey who was incredible live and Deco who really brought the energy and an 80s synth vibe which really made them stand out. I’m excited to catch those two acts again as soon as I can.
Beyond the music, Hardwick really shone with its atmosphere. A great selection of food traders served up everything from festival classics to street food favourites, and the fair rides added an extra layer of fun for families and groups of friends alike. This year they added a yoga and mindfulness section, a space to come-down and relax a bit, as well as take part in some activities throughout the day. Something which is well needed when you’re at a festival for 3 days! The mix of music, activities, and entertainment made the festival feel like a proper summer celebration. Which thankfully, the British weather held off for! We were blessed with 3 days of sun and heat!
If there was one downside, it was the sound overspill from the DJ stages, which sometimes clashed with acts on the Treehouse Arena and even the Main Stage. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it did occasionally take away from the experience, with even a couple of acts questioning the overspill during their set.
Overall, Hardwick Festival was a fantastic weekend and once again proved why it’s a staple the North East simply can’t be without. Lively, welcoming, and full of memorable moments, there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re there for the big-name headliners, to discover new artists, enjoy some local talent, or simply to enjoy a day out with the family, it’s a festival that continues to deliver year after year, and I can’t wait to see what they pull off next year!
Overall, Hardwick Festival was a fantastic weekend and once again proved why it’s a staple the North East simply can’t be without. Lively, welcoming, and full of memorable moments, there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re there for the big-name headliners, to discover new artists, enjoy some local talent, or simply to enjoy a day out with the family, it’s a festival that continues to deliver year after year, and I can’t wait to see what they pull off next year!
