Charli XCX electrifies Reading Festival with era-spanning set

Charli XCX marked a significant milestone in her career with a headline performance at Reading Festival, her first UK festival appearance since the release of her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film. The set demonstrated a deliberate shift in her musical style, incorporating a rock-oriented edge that contrasts with the electronic pop sensibilities of her previous work, notably the acclaimed album Brat.

The British singer curated a diverse setlist that traversed her evolving soundscape, intertwining selections from her most recent project with fan favorites from earlier releases. This approach not only showcased her versatility but also highlighted the artistic growth that has defined her trajectory in recent years.

The concert commenced with striking monochrome visual effects projecting distorted images of Charli, setting a dramatic tone that immediately engaged the sizeable crowd gathered at the main stage. The opening number was the lead single from Music, Fashion, Film, Rock Music, which energized the audience and set the stage for a series of high-impact performances.

Throughout the show, Charli demonstrated an enhanced production scale compared to her previous tours. The performance featured intricate staging, multiple costume changes—including a transition from a black sparkly blazer to a corseted black dress—and an array of theatrical elements such as pyrotechnics and intense strobe lighting. Accompanying her were a live band and a troupe of dancers, adding dynamic movement and depth to the presentation.

The middle segment of the set illustrated the breadth of her repertoire, moving seamlessly from the pop-driven Track 10 from her 2017 mixtape to the more introspective House, a track co-written for a recent soundtrack. This segment underscored Charli's ability to navigate different moods and musical textures within a single performance.

Returning to the infectious energy of her electronic dance roots, she performed tracks like Club Classics, 365, and the Grammy-winning Von Dutch, all from Brat, an album credited with elevating her profile significantly in 2024. These selections resonated strongly with the audience, reaffirming her status as a pivotal figure in contemporary pop music.

Closing the show, Charli embraced the punk influences of her current album with No One Lasts Forever, a track notable for its collaboration with renowned filmmaker David Cronenberg. The song’s reflective themes were underscored by Cronenberg’s spoken words, which left a lasting impression as the performance concluded, with Charli surrounded by dancers and engaging the crowd with a commanding presence.

Preceding Charli's headline spot, grime artist Skepta energized the festival despite challenging weather conditions. His set energized the crowd with tracks such as Praise the Lord (Da Shine) and Victory Lap, showcasing his resilience and connection with the audience.

Following Charli, the Irish rock band Fontaines DC brought their own brand of intensity to the stage. Despite a start delayed by weather, the band won over the crowd with selections from their Grammy-nominated album Romance, delivering a powerful close to the festival’s opening night.

Additional highlights from the festival included performances in the Gallery tent by emerging artists such as Skye Newman, whose resonant vocals captivated listeners, and US rock band Geese, who attracted a large crowd with their energetic guitar-driven set.

The Reading and Leeds festivals are poised to feature a strong lineup, with six major headliners set to perform their only UK festival appearances of the year. Alongside Charli XCX, artists such as Dave, Raye, Chase & Status, and Florence + The Machine are slated to headline, underscoring the festivals’ ongoing role as premier platforms for both established and rising talent.

Details on further festival performances and the broader impact of Charli XCX's evolving sound remain limited, but her Reading Festival appearance has undeniably reinforced her position as an influential artist capable of bridging genres and captivating diverse audiences.