5 YEARS OF GET TOGETHER: BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, INCREDIBLE BANDS & A DAY TO REMEMBER

Five years in and Sheffield’s Get Together Festival proved once again why it remains in its lofty position as a prominent and much-awaited event on the UK festival calendar. Basking in the radiant light of glorious sunshine, coupled with an atmosphere that was nothing short of unbeatable, the festival hosted a varied lineup that embraced everything from the thrilling anarchy of punk music to the profoundly poignant and heartfelt anthems of the indie world. This weekend was genuinely a celebration of unadulterated musical bliss that connected with all who attended. Once again, I stumbled upon incredible new bands like Girl Group and Sex Mask acts that, without a doubt, are destined for greater recognition. It reminded me of the first time I watched Wunderhorse and English Teacher at this festival years ago, witnessing their rise before the world caught on. The only problem with this festival is there is just not enough time to see every act, because the curation is second to none and you can more or less guarantee each act is worth a watch.

From the very first, Divorce set an incredibly high benchmark with their performance, which was not only energetic but also incredibly engaging, effortlessly drawing in the attention of the audience from the very first note played. Their stage presence was massively commanding yet intense, not only able to hold attention tightly but also strongly reaffirming the grounds for their ongoing reputation as a force to be reckoned with, a major player, in an increasingly dynamic indie music scene.

Next came Moonlandingz, who dismantled the established rulebook with their anarchic, nihilistic, on-stage chaos. With a toilet paper humorously wrapped around Johnny Rocket with clingfilm, prolific wall-humping, and a complete overabundance of demented energy, they turned their show into a first-rate spectacle of surreal brilliance that was impossible to forget. 

The experience was undoubtedly anarchic. It was akin to a manic carnival. And eventually ended with most of the audience left elated and a few dumbfounded in disbelief. Now that’s a Moonlandingz show to a T.

In a stark contrast to the mayhem around them, Cosmorat pulled off a shocking surprise for the festival audience by playing an unexpected acoustic set, which proved to be a haunting moment of pure and untainted beauty. This captivating performance offered a very welcome break from the more bombastic and rambunctious acts which populated the festival bill. It acted as a potent reminder of the amazing effect and raw power that is derived from unbridled artistry. It also showed conclusively that, at times, simplicity can be the most effective and powerful form of showmanship that connects with the audience.

The festival atmosphere was amazing, further enhanced by the unbelievably perfect weather, a rare treat for the city of Sheffield. Lias Saoudi particularly noted this lovely aspect during his Moonlandingz set, as he pondered Cold War Steve’s artistic choice to include blue skies in his work, which prominently featured Sheffield legends. These beautiful works of art were elegantly suspended from the ceiling above. Coupled with the availability of reasonably priced food, venues that were easily accessible to everyone attending, and a lively crowd, this all combined to create the perfect environment for a fun and trouble-free time for all involved. The close proximity of the festival venues meant that it was easy to move between different performances, making every minute count and so no one missed out on the fun and entertainment being had. One of the most unexpected and pleasant surprises that came out of the events over the weekend was the fascinating production known as Sex Mask, which travelled all the way from the thriving artistic scene of Australia and certainly made a lasting impression on all those who witnessed it. Their raw, uncut, and no-holds-barred style took the audience by storm in an incredible fashion, clearly proving itself to be one of the festival’s best and most thrilling discoveries.

BC Camplight, on the other hand, played a phenomenal set that was imbued with a brooding brilliance, engaging the crowd and entrancing them with each note that was played. The set perfectly walked the line between an astonishing musical complexity and an undercurrent of dark, clever wit that gave the performance a sense of depth. At one key point in the set, the frontman, with his undeniable charisma that makes people want to be drawn into his world, dryly said, “The best country title ever: I only drink when I’m drunk.” This clever line provided a welcome and delightful injection of humour into a performance that saw him taking centre stage behind a grand piano, with every note ringing out and filled with deep emotion.

There have been very few performances that could compete with the electric energy and vibrant signals produced by the incredible Master Peace, whose set was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the festival experience. Despite having to play in a relatively smaller stage, his impact was nothing short of colossal, succeeding in capturing the audience’s enthusiasm in such a strong way that it was glaringly evident that he not only had the enormous talent but also the irrefutable charisma to effortlessly captivate a far bigger space. The thrill was taken to a heart-stopping level when Adam Warrington, the very renowned, highly regarded guitarist who has played with top artists like Yungblud and Lewis Capaldi, surprised everyone with a surprise guest performance, which only helped to increase and fuel the audience’s already skyrocketing levels of excitement.

In short, wrapping up the main points of the event, it was quite clear that English Teacher has well deserved a headline spot for their energetic performance. They played all of their popular classics, and the crowd’s energy was at an exciting fever pitch during the track “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab.” This was a standout moment that was a defining example of their incredible capacity to engage and fuel an audience with raw musical intensity and power.

With the mesmerising tunes of Midnight Rodeo providing lovely indie lo-fi tones that speak volumes, and the outstanding performances of Freak Slug and Whitehorse who are skillfully encapsulating the age-old magic of old-school rock ‘n’ roll, and with a melodic fusion that perfectly balances chaos and harmony, it can be safely asserted that the Get Together Festival 2025 has indeed exceeded all expectations.

It remains one of the most exciting and dynamic independent festivals in the UK, a fantastic celebration that is true to the spirit of discovery, with endless energy and a very real sense of community.

Next year can’t come soon enough.