South Facing Festival returns to the historic Crystal Palace Bowl in summer 2025 with its most ambitious programme to date. Set against the scenic backdrop of one of London’s most iconic open-air venues, the festival once again promises a run of spectacular live performances across multiple dates in August.
With a stellar line-up that spans electronic, indie, hip-hop, folk, and more, South Facing continues to establish itself as a cultural cornerstone in the UK’s summer festival calendar.
This year’s series begins with a double bill of epic proportions. On 7 August 2025, Scottish post-rock titans Mogwai will deliver their only UK festival performance of the summer, joined by Irish experimental folk sensation Lankum in what promises to be a powerful, genre-defying night of music.
Full Line-up Announced for South Facing Festival:
BASEMENT JAXX
BUSTA RHYMES
LOVE MOTION: NILE RODGERS & CHIC
MOGWAI & LANKUM
MORCHEEBA, UNKLE, DJ SHADOW
SKEPTA’S BIG SMOKE FESTIVAL and MÁS TIEMPO
FLACKSTOCK
TINLICKER
One of the most emotional and heartfelt events of the summer returns with Flackstock on 8 August, celebrating the life and legacy of Caroline Flack through a joyful mix of music, comedy and dance. Now in its fourth year, the festival continues to raise vital funds for mental health charities and brings together family, friends, and fans for a beautiful, shared tribute in one of London’s most special spaces.
The park transforms for the return of Skepta’s Big Smoke Festival on 9 and 10 August, bringing together the brightest stars and pioneers of grime and UK rap. With curated performances by Skepta himself, appearances from very special guest Central Cee, plus ‘grime scene saviour’ Chip, rising star Chy Cartier, and an unprecedented B2B from JME and Frisco, the weekend is set to be a definitive moment for the UK urban music scene. Skepta will also appear on Sunday as part of a full Más Tiempo takeover, stepping behind the decks to close out the weekend.
On 14 August, South Facing will dive into the roots of downtempo, trip-hop and electronica with a rare, genre-blending lineup featuring Morcheeba, UNKLE, and the legendary DJ Shadow. For fans of classic beats and chilled vibes, this event offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these pioneers share the stage in London.
Hip-hop fans are in for a treat as Busta Rhymes headlines an all-day takeover that marks his only London festival appearance this summer. Joining him on 15 August are icons Redman and Big Daddy Kane in what’s sure to be one of the most talked-about shows of the season, and a rare chance to witness hip-hop royalty share the stage in an open-air setting.
On 16 August, Dutch electronic masters Tinlicker headline with their biggest ever London show. Renowned for their euphoric, progressive sound and immersive live sets, this show will be a monumental night for dance music lovers. With their signature melodic grooves and emotional intensity, Tinlicker are set to transform Crystal Palace Bowl into an open-air haven of sound and light. On 17 August The Originals will host another epic gathering, as they curate an electrifying lineup featuring the crème de la crème of UK DJs and artists, ready to unleash infectious house beats that will keep you moving.
The party continues into the Bank Holiday weekend with a triumphant two-night homecoming from Basement Jaxx on 22 and 23 August. Known for their legendary live shows and genre-blending dance floor energy, the duo’s return to South London is a major highlight of the summer. On 24 August, Nile Rodgers & CHIC will bring their timeless grooves and feel-good funk to headline Love Motion's day of disco and dance, joined by Louie Vega, Dimitri From Paris and others for an all-out celebration of soul, house, and classic club sounds.
SOUTH FACING FESTIVAL 2025:
MOGWAI & LANKUM 7 AUGUST
FLACKSTOCK 8 AUGUST
BIG SMOKE / SKEPTA 9 AUGUST
MORCHEEBA & UNKLE 14 AUGUST
BUSTA RHYMES 15 AUGUST
TINLICKER 16 AUGUST
THE ORIGINALS. 17 AUGUST
BASEMENT JAXX 22 & 23 AUGUST
NILE RODGERS & CHIC 24 AUGUST
MULTIPLE DATES - AUGUST 2025 | CRYSTAL PALACE PARK
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