Here come the girls: RAYE & co takeover Victoria Park for All Points East 2025
- blondevibrations
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
When RAYE was announced as an All Points East's Saturday headliner for the August bank holiday weekend, we knew it would be a day to remember. With a 50,000-capacity crowd, an instant sellout was inevitable. The all-female lineup -- topped with RAYE's flawless set, complete with a breath-taking cover of 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' -- turned this festival date into a powerful celebration of women in music. Here are some of our favourite sets we caught in Victoria Park!
We started our day at the East Stage with Joni Rhodes and Friends, where flautist and composer Joni (backed by a talented mix of vocalists and instrumentalists) gave us a first taste of the magic All Points East has in store. Something we admire about the festival organisers every year is their dedication to spotlighting a breadth of artists and genres, and with an eclectic artist like RAYE headlining, this date did not disappoint.
Chloe Qisha lit up the East Stage with her bright red background and a set that was a flirty and fun warmup for a mid-afternoon set time. Playing an unreleased cheeky track about stalking hot men online had the crowd giggling, but it was just one highlight of her playful yet clever songs that showcased her still-growing discography. We've been praising Chloe all summer for her first festival run under this project, and she's proved time and time again why she's one to watch. By the end of her set, festival-goers were already vouching for her it-girl status -- and we couldn't agree more.
Next up was Cat Burns, fresh off announcing her second album, 'How To Be Human' out at the end of October. Her set opened with a heartfelt video, perfectly setting the tone for both the upcoming set and this new era that she's stepping into. Cat's delight at the incredible turnout for her set was as humble as it was endearing. Yet despite the huge crowd gathered to watch her performance, she was still able to point out her friends and family in the VIP section -- even confessing when a song was written about one of them. The set truly was a space for Burns' depth as an artist to shine, from infectious pop tracks like 'GIRLS!' to her recent release 'All This Love', which is a painful yet cathartic exploration of grief.
A major highlight of this lineup was JADE, an artist who has broken down barriers and is now redefining herself as a solo performer since her Little Mix days. Believe us when we say we have been itching to see JADE all summer long! And, perhaps it's safe to say that she had been waiting to perform at this festival all the same, sharing "I came to All Points East last year and I was absolutely gagging for it - I loved every minute of it! I remember watching Victoria Monét on stage [...] and thinking let me get up there, I want to have a go!". JADE delivered a set packed with all her hit songs from her upcoming debut album 'That's Showbiz Baby' (out in September), with jaw-dropping vocals and razor-sharp choreography on tracks like 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Plastic Box'. While her solo material had the crowd hooked, her Little Mix medley was an exciting and unique reimagination of the decade of her life she dedicated to the band. Girls in the crowd were in tears and hugging their friends in pure nostalgia at the importance of Little Mix in their coming of age -- and we'll admit, we were right there with them.
Special guest Tyla brought her party vibes flawlessly to Victoria Park, with dancers joining her on stage to turn the set into a full-blown celebration. She kept the energy sky-high, surprising the crowd by bringing out Wizkid and Darkoo for unforgettable guest appearances. From her iconic backstage-camera intro to firing a t-shirt cannon mid-set, and closing with her biggest single, 'Water', Tyla proved exactly why she's such an infectious artist we can't get enough of.
A last-minute but perfect addition to the lineup came in the form of FKA twigs, whose set felt like a masterclass in artistry. Performing electric tracks from her most recent album, 'Eusexua', alongside moments of raw vulnerability, she balanced power with delicacy in a way only twigs can. Her nearly acapella performance of 'Cellophane' carved out a quiet yet commanding pause in the middle of a packed festival; a reminder of how seamlessly All Points East blends spectacle with intimacy.
Before RAYE captivated the entire crowd, her sisters Absolutely and Amma showcased their talent on the Cupra North Stage, proving that artistic vision clearly runs in the family. Their performances made the day feel like a true family affair, perfectly setting the tone for the headliner, who watched adoringly from the wings.
When RAYE finally took the stage, Victoria Park erupted with excitement. Early in her set, she asked the crowd if there was anyone over 60 present, and was delighted to meet a 69-year old fan named Ray (her name-share!) Between powerhouse vocals, she let her humour shine, joking about how her sisters keep her humble while admitting that orchestrating the full ensemble behind her "gets to my head". Those flashes of personality, threaded through a flawless set made the performance feel both monumental and intimate -- proof that RAYE is not just a headliner, but a magnetic presence who can hold an entire festival crowd in the palm of her hand.
All Points East delivered a spectacular celebration of women in the industry, it was a day full of talent, personality and moments to remember. As our final festival of the season, it was the perfect send-off, reminding us why we love live music, the incredible artists that shape it, and the communities that come together to celebrate it. We're already counting down the days until we can return to Victoria Park for next year's edition.
A huge thank you to the teams involved in All Points East for granting us press accreditation and access to All Points East. As always, all opinions shared in this review are entirely our own.
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