Summer 2025 has swiftly passed, and with the August Bank Holiday comes the last festival celebration before autumn begins to take over. From the vast crowds at Reading & Leeds to APE’s polished one-day events, the UK offers a plethora of choices – yet Lost Village remains distinct. A decade after its inception by four friends, this festival has established itself as a dance-centric, innovative escape from the everyday.
What sets Lost Village apart is not merely its lineup, but the careful planning that elevates the festival experience. Each stage and area is thoughtfully designed, transforming the grounds into a vibrant work of art rather than a typical festival venue. Moving between performances feels less like a disjointed stroll and more like an immersive adventure, with each space inviting attendees to dive deeply into its unique atmosphere.
At the Airbase, the presence of aircraft cabins and a hangar backdrop enhances the experience, hosting performances like Isaac Carter’s Thursday opener, Cici’s mesmerizing Friday late-night set, and Bubble Love (Ross From Friends), who has transitioned from an emerging talent to a festival staple. Close by, the new Moondial draws inspiration from Wes Anderson, with a luminous brick house background amplifying Moxie B2B Jennifer Loveless’ enchanting trance tracks. Nearby, ⌭ IceMorph ⬬ creates beautiful glitches at Club Lorenzo, while Jupiter Park’s sweatbox features a surprise highlight – Confidence Man and Papa Nugs delivering 90 exhilarating minutes of euphoric beats and playful club-pop.
The Old Zoo, marked by its haunting abandoned cages, transforms into a rhythmic sanctuary with performances by Paula Tape, LP Giobbi, and Anish Kumar. Across the site, the strobe-lit stage of Junkyard offers some of the weekend's most liberating energy, with HAAi and DJ Seinfeld energizing packed crowds beneath the tree-adorned canopies – truly embodying Lost Village.
The festival's allure extends beyond music. The Street, a theatrical lane filled with surreal attractions, rivals Glastonbury in terms of immersive creativity. A laundrette bursts into karaoke, arcade bars and sports lounges are lively, and Power Play Records allows festival-goers to create their own vinyl mixes, all accompanied by Johnnie Walker’s stylish cocktail offerings – surprisingly, some of the finest drinks available on site, featuring a whiskey-infused slushie that's a must-try. Additional attractions like mini-golf, lakeside hot tubs, craft workshops, comedy, and communal dining perfectly blend indulgence with coziness.
At the center of it all is the Burial Ground, a seemingly modest main stage with immense influence. Mornings begin gently – Mandrake Handshake’s dreamy psych tunes on Sunday at noon, humorously dubbed “the festival equivalent of 6am pilates” – before the stage evolves into a dynamic showcase. Honey Dijon ignites Thursday with a brilliant tech-house masterclass. Maribou State, accompanied by captivating vocalist Talulah Ruby, provides a soulful live-band rendition of their electronic origins, with her rendition of ‘All I Need’ standing out as a defining highlight of the festival.
Caribou navigates audio challenges with a set that spans his entire career, with tracks like ‘Honey’ generating just as much excitement as ‘Can’t Do Without You’. Four Tet, buoyed by one of the warmest crowds he’s experienced, describes it as “one of the best sets of my life” – and the eclectic, unmistakable sounds he delivers resonate powerfully. The closing ceremony is grand: a ship gliding over the audience, fireworks illuminating the sky, and Barry Can’t Swim – who comes back to headline the festival he first attended as a guest during its inaugural edition – finishes with selections from his atmospheric second album, ‘Loner’. The impact of ‘Different’ is felt like a thunderous clap, with deep bass reverberating through the ground during a triumphant conclusion.
By this point, new friendships are formed, dancefloors are shared, and the sight of doof sticks (“festival totems”) scattered throughout the area sparks conversations that are uniquely joyful. Lost Village doesn’t merely host a festival – it nurtures a vibrant community filled with color, passion, and happiness, solidifying its status as one of the UK’s most distinctive summer getaways. For those in search of a new adventure, this is the most sought-after ticket available.
Words: Finlay Holden
Photography: JW Karla
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Summer 2025 has passed quickly, and with the August Bank Holiday comes the last festival celebration before autumn begins to take over. From the vast crowds of