Foxing and Julie Christmas announced as Portals Festival 2025 headliners
The seventh edition of Portals Festival is set to return to EartH in Hackney, London, on 24-25 May 2025, with a stellar lineup that includes Foxing and Julie Christmas as the headliners for Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Known for championing boundary-pushing acts, Portals Festival continues to carve its niche as a haven for alternative and post-rock enthusiasts.
Leading the other wave of newly announced acts are a trio of faves: Norwich-based rabble-raisers and one of the best live bands out there, Other Half, London’s brilliant emo-infused screamo punks incaseyouleave, and Geordie alternative rockers Giant Walker. They’re joined by Mexico’s rising post-hardcore stars Joliette, Spanish electronica producer Lys Morke, and the promising post-rock outfit World Coda.
Foxing, the St. Louis-based alternative and post-rock collective, will take centre stage on Saturday night. Fresh off their latest record, the band promises an unforgettable set spanning their discography. Known for their ability to explore a wide emotional spectrum through intricate instrumentation and reflective lyricism, Foxing are sure to deliver an engaging and intimate performance for festival-goers.
Sunday will see Julie Christmas, the legendary vocalist and songwriter, performing a rare UK set. Her first album in over a decade, Ridiculous and Full of Blood, dropped earlier this year, earning acclaim for its innovative blend of alt-pop and post-metal. Featuring collaborations with the likes of Johannes Persson (Cult of Luna) and Chris Enriquez (Spotlights), the record showcases a powerful convergence of dynamic soundscapes. Julie Christmas’s set is poised to be a unique highlight, marking a rare opportunity to see the genre-defying artist live.
The Portals Festival 2025 lineup also features returning favourites such as Brontide, Mouse on the Keys, and yndi halda, alongside standout acts like Totorro, FAZI, and Cats and Cats and Cats. This impressive mix of fresh talent and festival veterans ensures there’s something for everyone at this year’s event.
Portals Festival, which began as a modest one-day event at the New Cross Inn in 2015, has grown into a key fixture in London’s music calendar.
All acts announced so far: Foxing, Julie Christmas, Joliette, Lys Morke, Giant Walker, Other Half, World Coda, incaseyouleave, Brontide, Mouse on the Keys, yndi halda, Totorro, FAZI, Cats and Cats and Cats, The Fierce and the Dead, I Hear Sirens, Poly-Math, The None, Spurv, Thot, Peach, Love Rarely, Codices, Teiger, Fly Fly Triceratops, Black Aleph, Oavette, The Brackish.
Organiser Asher Kenton shared their enthusiasm for this year’s headliners:
"We’re super excited to have Foxing and Julie Christmas as our headliners this year. Both bands have released records which are amongst the very best of 2024. Despite sounding quite different, these are two artists at the top of their game right now and it feels like perfect timing to have two of the most innovative and forward-thinking alternative artists in the world headline the festival."
The festival takes place at EartH, a venue renowned for its exceptional acoustics and visually stunning spaces, from the main Hall to the intimate Bar stage. With over 30 acts across three stages, Portals 2025 promises a weekend packed with unforgettable music.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the festival or discovering it for the first time, this year’s edition looks set to continue Portals’ mission of helping audiences find their next favourite artist.
Save the date for Portals Festival 2025, and watch the video for Foxing’s “Greyhound”:
