Big acts, big fashion choices and big vibes at Parklife 2025
23:14, 14 Jun 2025Updated 00:14, 15 Jun 2025
50 Cent closed Parklife on Saturday (Image: STAFF MEN)
Not long after a good 30 minutes of heavy rain took over Heaton Park, hip hop artist and poet Antony Szmierek took to The Valley stage on Saturday afternoon for a poignant homecoming set at Parklife 2025.
Clearly full of glee, the local musician, from Hyde, heads up the crowd – featuring a sea of ponchos, denim shorts, and bucket hats. When he performs The Great Pyramid of Stockport – an ode to the now Royal Nawaab spot in the middle of the M60 – it gathers more than a few nods of recognition from those just as local as he.
And when we say took the stage, we actually mean that he took to the crowd. Only a couple of songs in, the Manchester spoken word artist immersed himself in the action and revving up an early afternoon audience.
When he sings about the valley of the kings right on the Valley stage, it’s also a real visual representation for fans of the climb in his career right now – and also sets the tone for things to come on the stage throughout the rest of the day.
Fans enjoying Parklife 2025 (Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News)
And outside of The Valley, the vibes are only continuing throughout Heaton Park. Whilst some very heavy rain and strong winds threatened to dampen spirits – with poncho-wearing festival-goers heading for the tented stages – there was no stopping the party atmosphere.
Over on the Big Top, Hold Tight DJs started proceedings with a host of club anthems and favourites – from a varied mix of music stemming between Armand Van Helden (who will be performing tomorrow) and will.i.am.
United Kingdom, Manchester 14 June 2025:
Antony Szmierek on The Valley stage at Parklife 2025
Credit: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News
The Hangar – a mainstay at the festival for a good few years now with house and techno fans – meanwhile hosted the likes of Dublin duo Obskür and Amsterdam-based DJ Joella Jackson. The Matinee, a new arrival this year, meanwhile hosted top sets from Scottish DJ Simone and Germany’s Malugi.
After Antony’s slot at The Valley, it was up to British girl group Flo to bring their sweet harmonies and slick R&B to the main stage area. Emerging from red curtains, the trio thanked the audience for ‘turning up to see us when you could have seen anyone’.
United Kingdom, Manchester 14 June 2025:
FLO on The Valley stage at Parklife 2025
Credit: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News(Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News)
Bringing well-tight choreography, the girls performed songs like debut 2022 song Cardboard Box, alongside hits including In My Bag, How Does It Feel? and Get It Till I’m Gone.
Rudimental, meanwhile, brought a rowdy and loud DJ set featuring pyrotechnics, a lot of jumping and a collection of classic dance hits, ranging from songs from Benny Benassi and Basement Jaxx to Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise and even hints of The Last Post.
Rudimental on the Valley stage at Parklife 2025(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Seasoned Parklife acts, it’s been ten years since the trio headlined the festival alongside Disclosure, and they’ve only grown in confidence since, becoming one of the most popular acts on the bill year after year.
Fashion wise, staying dry was clearly a priority for party-goers rather than making a fashion statement as the usual explosion of colour and sparkle were muted, while groups huddled under brollies to dodge the downpours.
READ MORE: 65 pictures that perfectly sum up day one of Parklife 2025
The mixed weather at Parklife had a noticeable impact on festival-goers wardrobes particularly earlier in the day. Revellers outfits were dimmed by the grey, gloomy skies and intermittent showers that poured on top of Heaton Park, with many covering their carefully selected outfits with raincoats and plastic ponchos.
It wasn’t until about three o’clock when the clouds finally gave way to sunnier skies that Parklife fashion truly came into its own.
Day one of Parklife has brought the fashion(Image: Manchester Evening News)
As the sun broke through, people began to shed their damp outer layers, revealing double denim co-ords, bohemian floating skirts, matching sporty sets, and sunnies that had been perched on heads all morning finally fulfilled their purpose.
Into the evening, a special performance from electronic producers Skream & Benga brought some loud heavy techno music to the park, with Charli XCX remixes teasing fans who will be returning tomorrow to see the Bratstress in action on the main stage.
Crowds enjoying Rudimental at the Valley stage at Parklife 2025(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The techno giants were immediately followed by heavy house from Joy Orbison, who had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his electronic and hard house anthems – making for another lively and rowdy set in the Big Top.
Over at The Valley it was the task of British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith to warm up the crowd ahead of 50 Cent’s headline set. Renowned for the soulful voice, poignant lyricism, and honest artistry, there was never a doubt that she could bring it to all to this year’s festival.
Jorja Smith plays the Valley stage at ParkLife
Though it started off mellow and reflective with tracks including her breakthrough song ‘Blue Lights’ and ‘Addicted’, the set picked up pace and the crowd really started to vibe with the songstress when she sauntered into her latest ‘The Way I love You’, back to ‘Teenage Fantasy’, and dropped into the almighty duo of ‘Be Honest’ and ‘Little Things’, both of which had the crowd amped and more than ready for ‘Fiddy’.
And so to the final act of the night and none other than Curtis James Jackson III, who you may be more familiar with under his stage name 50 Cent.
This isn’t his first rodeo, nor his first Parklife. He graced the stage back in 2022, many music lovers making a beeline to that year’s festival on sole account of his appearance.
So for round two, how would he top it? Well, this time the production was dialled up significantly – were talking a LOT of pyrotechnics – there were so many outfit changes it was impossible to keep up with, and a ensemble of dancers – many scantily clad, but their talent bountiful.
50 Cent headlines day one of Parklife
It was quite simply mesmerising, the crowd transfixed from the moment he walked out onto stage to the sound of ‘That’s What’s Up’.
From here it was a steady stream of classics, from Candy Shop, In Da Club, Best Friend and How We Do, to Just a Lil Bit, P.I.MP. and Big Rich Town.
The man likes his clothes to, and would often disappear off stage to change from sparkling black pants to denim overcoats, but always with a big gold chain and plenty of diamonds adorning his wrists – you would expect nothing less.
It’s a fitting end to a day that’s had many twists and turns – from the threat of thunderstorms and a smattering of rain showers, to performances that brought the festival vibes throughout. And as far as 50 goes, well we was the cherry on top.