Victorious Festival - From humble beginnings to a beach front behemoth
Another jam packed year awaits as one of the UK'S most unique festival returns for yet another successive year. Situated in the heart of Southsea, accompanied by a stunning backdrop, Victorious festival never fails to raise the spirits of visitors. Multiple stages, packed with exquisite food stands promising to keep you entertained all day long. For locals or visitors travelling from afar, a weekend at Victorious festival could be the key to unlock one of your greatest summers yet. But what initiated the rise of Portsmouth's own music festival?
From what began as a small hometown festival in 2012, Victorious festivals have proven they can consistently reach new levels year after year, setting boundaries higher and higher as the years progress. Operating in the Historic Dockyard for the first two years, inevitably the engrossment for this project grew out of Portsmouth, unseen numbers became attracted to the idea of this newly arrived festival, a record attendance of 50,000 visited the festival headlined by rock band Maximo Park in 2013. However some music lovers felt distraught they could not visit the festival, a change in venue needed to happen - somewhere where numbers can consistently rise.
The debut year at Southsea seafront came in 2014, promising the festival to be bigger and better than ever - a two day festival with one main stage. Rap sensation Dizzee Rascal closed a groundbreaking Saturday - performing a set bursting with energy, ultimately leaving the audience thrilled, Dizzee was in sublime company throughout the day with excellent acts consistently performing, Indie rockers Razorlight set fire to the seaside, performing classics throughout their performance. Scouting for girls and Tom Odell also performed throughout the day. Excitement did not stop on Saturday, the closing day of the festival provided joy and excellence. English Rock legends, Ocean Colour Scene took to the stage playing a UK summer exclusive, a setlist brimming with emotion accompanied with mesmerising sing-alongs. Closing a remarkable first year on the seafront was world famous blues musician Seasick Steve. The American certainly produced a night to remember.
Since the inaugural festival on the south coast, records have been constantly broken, not to mention the world famous names that have performed on the castle stage. Since then another main stage was implemented, the common stage, adjacent to the castle stage - located on the beautiful field of Southsea Common, this stage can hold a lot more people compared to the common stage, ultimately creating a much more attractive feel, a huge improvement for the seaside music festival. A Friday evening also began to take place, to open the first Friday night, widely adored UK band Madness took to the castle stage in 2017, a perfect opener for the weekend, providing ecstatic experiences for everyone. With the addition of a new stage, as well as an extra day being introduced, this was a gargantuan milestone, a huge contribution towards the rise of the festival. World famous names to have previously played on the seafront over the years include the likes of Noel Gallagher, The prodigy and The Streets, not to mention many more superb names to grace Victorious. Attendance records are always being broken at Victorious. The Sunday of the 2022 event, headlined by Newcastle's leading light Sam Fender, has been confirmed by organisers to have been the biggest event in the history of the festival, more than 70,000 music lovers all together on a packed out Southsea Common watching Sam Fender. Staggering numbers.
A new festival season is upon us, Victorious festival provides yet another exhilarating lineup for this year's upcoming festival, creating a beyond euphoric feeling for many fans. The official Instagram of the Portsmouth found festival immediately became filled with comments of praise, just moments after releasing the well anticipated line up. "Iconic line up", "This line up !!" are just a few of the promising comments received.
World famous Brighton DJ Fatboy Slim will headline the common stage on the Friday night of the 23rd of August. Bringing the ultimate party to kick off what plans to be a monumental weekend. Scottish Rock legends Snow Patrol headline the castle stage, bringing classics all night long. More well known acts will also perform throughout the day and evening - former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson will perform at the seaside festival, accompanied by many more excellent acts, The Snuts will return to Portsmouth, following the release of their third album Millennials, which has recently hit number two in the charts. Plenty more sing alongs will be created across the Friday - pop star Jess Glynne will perform, former headliners Maximo Park will also make their return to Victorious. American musician, DUB FX will headline the beats and swings stage, Comedic legend Russell Howard will be the Fridays comedy stage headliner. Razorlight will perform as an afternoon special guest to kick off the weekend, expecting to perform a groundbreaking set in fine fashion.
The Saturday 24th August will not dampen the spirits of visitors, it looks to be an exceptional experience for all attending. Cockney icon Jamie T will close the Saturday night, with what we expect to be a far from dull performance, bags of energy will be created, a mix of rap and indie music being blasted to close the day. More entertainment will consistently be provided , Manchester rock band Courteeners will play the southern festival for the first time in their career, USA band Pixies will make their debut on the south coast, this is a superb chance for fans to see bands that have not played the festival before. UK all girl group Sugababes, are also one of many female acts performing across the Saturday, 24 year old Holly Humberstone, will play on the Saturday, many younger audiences will certainly be watching this performance. Groove Armada will create an energetic DJ set, as the headliners of the swings and beats stage. Comedy headliner for the Saturday will be the hilarious Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle. 2019 Brit winner Tom Walker, opens the penultimate day of the festival, as an afternoon special guest.
The closing day of the festival on the 25th August, is a pivotal moment in deciding whether the weekend will be a success, so far it does not look like disappointment will be created. Arguably the biggest name across the weekend, Scottish band Biffy Clyro close the festival, an historical performance is the plan. Dance Music phenomenon, Becky Hill returns to the seaside, after her sensational performance in 2022. Two time Brit winners, Wet Leg debuted the festival after a huge breakthrough over the last couple of years. English Rap legend, Professor Green will headline the beats and swing stage, a gargantuan name on one of the smaller stages. Closing the comedy stage will be recently announced star Al Murray. Widely adored band The Kooks open the final day as the final afternoon special guest. Classics such as Naive and She moves in her own way, will be sure to get visitors in the spirit to begin the closing day of the festival.
Tickets are currently available for all three days of the festival, you can purchase a single day ticket or if you fancy the whole weekend, a weekend ticket can be secured. All information can be found on the Victorious Festival official website.