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Rockstar Energy presents Parklife 2025 – line-up deep dive
Your weekend guide to the names playing Heaton Park this June
Manchester’s having a moment this summer. As Parklife celebrates its 15th anniversary just one month before Oasis come back to town, the festival is pulling out all the stops to make sure it’s the city party to remember this year. Taking place across Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, it’s an extra big bumper platter of DJs, singers and artists primed to make the standout weekend of the year even more unmissable.
With hip hop mainstay 50 Cent topping the bill, alongside Charli XCX and many more, there are plenty of acts heating up the line-up at Heaton ParK. No one wants to waste their step count traipsing up and down the site to sniff out the best sets, so we’ve rounded up all the sets to add to your list ahead of the big weekend at Parklife 2025.
The headliners
50 Cent
Picture this: the sun has gone down and your serotonin is already through the roof after a day spent day soaking up music and vibes with your friends. Things can’t possibly get any better, but then you hear the unmistakable steel pan intro of ‘P.I.M.P.’ as it floats across the crowd. Need we say more? Legendary US rapper 50 Cent will top the bill on Saturday night, where he’s bound to deliver all his best-loved bangers including ‘In Da Club’, ‘Candy Shop’ and ‘Many Men (Wish Death)’. Unlike some artists, 50 doesn’t have any problem giving the crowd what they want in terms of the classics, and his big presence on stage and energetic live shows make him a headliner you won’t want to miss.
Charli XCX
If you missed out on Charli’s Brat arena tour, you’ve been graced with another chance to see the singer’s incredible live show. Fresh from dominating the Grammy Awards and ahead of her huge Glastonbury slot, Charli xcx will be headlining Parklife. Expect the ultimate party girl to be in her element, performing with all her usual deliciously chaotic energy and delivering all the Brat hits that dominated 2024. Charli is the perfect headliner to kick off summer 2025 and energise tired bones after a day of darting between all the other amazing Parklife acts. Practice your ‘Apple’ dance, wear something green, and get ready for incredible scenes.
Jorja Smith
Also sitting comfortably at the top of the Parklife line-up poster is Walsall’s finest, Jorja Smith. Not only did the singer recently release a hit collaboration with AJ Tracey – ‘Crush’ – where she experimented with rapping as well as her usual 10/10 singing, she’s also worked with DJ and singer-songwriter Shygirl, showing she’s at the sweet spot of having fun and experimenting with her career. As well as her recent collabs, Jorja has two albums to pick from, meaning you can expect a combination of her soulful slowies as well as more upbeat songs to take the crowd on a whole journey.
The party starters
Confidence Man
Aussie electro-pop band Confidence Man have more than earned their stripes as a must-see live act. Dance routines, costume changes, and spiky inflatable sets all feature in their ridiculously fun performances with the sole purpose of making sure every crowd member has the best time possible. Get ready to dance, sweat, and laugh as Confidence Man take you through their genuinely impressive collection of party-starters.
Jodie Harsh
Queer icon, beloved DJ, and incredible performer Jodie Harsh will take to The Valley stage on Sunday afternoon to warm up the crowd ahead of Charli XCX’s headline slot. Far from your typical roast dinner and walk, Jodie Harsh promises to make it a Sunday to remember when she makes her Parklife debut. Get ready for a set pumped full of disco and club tunes to get everybody in the spirit.
Peggy Gou
Returning for the second year running, Peggy Gou has climbed up the Parklife bill thanks to her storming set last year. As well as her viral hit ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ the DJ, singer, songwriter and producer has a slew of newer songs from her 2024 album, I Hear You, to get people moving. Digging into her vast collection of catchy house and techno tunes, Peggy Gou is definitely an act you’ll want to be front of stage for.
The crowd karaoke set
Lola Young
London singer-songwriter Lola Young’s hard work paid off when her track ‘Messy’ blew up on TikTok. You know you’ve made it when someone on Twitter is calling nepo baby because your great aunty wrote The Gruffalo, but Lola has the songs to prove it’s all talent, thank you very much. Her BRIT Awards performance earlier this year showed she’s got an eye for an interesting live show, and there’s bound to be a big singalong moment when she performs her biggest hit.
FLO
Name a festival that isn’t instantly made more fun with a girl group? Yep, it’s not possible. This year London trio FLO will bring they smooth vocals and harmonies to Parklife’s The Valley stage on Saturday. And with armfuls of hits such as the ‘In My Bag’(Feat. GloRilla)’, ‘Walk Like This’ and ‘Fly Girl’, Flo’s updated brand of 90s girl group R&B is perfect for a crowd karaoke session.
Rudimental
![Rudimental - Waiting All Night (ft. Ella Eyre) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M97vR2V4vTs/0.jpg)
Parklife favourites Rudimental are known for their sparky live performances, and do it best when they have large crowds to play to. With over 10 years’ worth of drum ‘n’ bass hits under their belt, their Parklife 2025 set will not be one to miss. When your energy is starting to flag and you’re not ready to weave your way to the bar again, Rudimental will give you the boost you need to keep partying.
The dynamic duos
Overmono
Held in high esteem by Four Tet, Ben UFO, and Thom Yorke, Welsh duo (and brothers) Overmono have been on a steep ascent. Having scooped DJ Mag’s ‘UK’s Best Live Act’ award, collaborated with Joy Orbison and Fred again.., and celebrated their debut album reaching No.11 on the Official Albums Chart, their garage-tinged electro is guaranteed to excite Parklife audiences.
Bicep
On Sunday, Bicep will headline the Hangar stage for their Bicep presents Chroma AV DJ set. It’s an immersive performance that continues to push the boundaries of reinvention and genre blending that’s made Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar stalwarts of the scene.
Hybrid Minds
Fancy some liquid drum ‘n’ bass? Of course you do. After selling out Printworks, Brixton Academy, and Wembley’s OVO Arena, Hybrid Minds are dominating the festival circuit with some truly impressive live shows. With the type of D&B tracks destined to be played to thousands of people all seeking the best time ever, Hybrid Minds are definitely worth checking out.
The unmissables
Joy Orbison
Taking to the YES Presents… Big Top stage on Saturday, Joy Orbison is one to plan the weekend around. The electronic artist has track record in bringing his love of grime, garage, and UK hip hop into his live shows along with his usual genre melting pot of songs to deliver an utterly memorable performance.
Armand Van Helden
A rare US name on the Parklife bill, Armand van Helden is basically an honorary Brit for giving us the masterpiece that is Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Bonkers’. The legendary house producer and DJ will headline the Big Top stage on Sunday, and it’s bound to be a victory lap of all his big hitters that span his impressive 30-year career. Jury’s out on whether we’ll get tol hear Duck Sauce’s infamous ‘Barbra Streisand’…
Malugi
Malugi repeatedly describes himself simply as “THE HAPPIEST MAN IN DANCE MUSIC”, which should tell you everything you need to know. But, if you need more convincing, the Berlin-based DJ is known for his charismatic live sets that unapologetically show his love of pop as well as multiple layers of other genres in the electro world. Go, be happy.
The up-and-comers
Paige Tomlinson
Liverpool-based DJ Paige Tomlinson is creating a buzz thanks to her tight sets that weave together house, electro, techno and breakbeat sounds. Heavily influenced by the 90s club era she grew up with, Paige Tomlinson has already played shows at London’s Printworks and fabric as well as festivals like Glastonbury. See her now, reserve bragging rights for later.
Morgan Seatree
![Morgan Seatree x Florence & The Machine - Say My Name (Remix) [Lyric Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q7UyLEWiHFI/0.jpg)
Check out some homegrown Manchester talent with fast rising DJ Morgan Seatree. Inspired by original house pioneers, Morgan Seatree takes old school Chicago sounds and funnels them through his fresh ideas to create something that’s pushing the genre forwards in an exciting new way.
Photo credits: Julia Reinhart/Redferns, Harry Durrant/Getty Images, John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy and Matt Jelonek/Getty Images
