Set against the backdrop, or even front-drop, of Southsea seafront at Henry VIII’s castle that he watched the Mary Rose sink from, Victorious Festival has reached 12 years of evolution, from a small boutique festival at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth to its current incarnation across the parks by the beach down the prom, with the huge Common Stage, the Castle Stage, and various intimate stages taking in Acoustic, Comedy, DJs and World Music.
This year’s festival from Friday 23rd August to Sunday 25th August, is headlined by Fatboy Slim, Jamie T, Biffy Clyro, Pixies, Wet Leg, and Jess Glynne.
What started as a small idea has transformed into one of the south’s premier family festivals, perfectly positioned and timed for children and adults to take advantage of a long weekend of fun and frolics with great music and, fingers crossed, beautiful weather on Portsea Island.
Whilst the music on the main stages will appeal to the vast majority with Fatboy Slim, Becky Hill, Louis Tomlinson, Snow Patrol, and James Bay, there are big hitters like Biffy Clyro, Pixies, Courteeners, Idles, and Wet Leg for those with an interest in the upper echelons of the indie scene, mid-noughties names like Maximo Park, The Futureheads, The Pigeon Detectives, The Kooks, and Razorlight, as well as classic pop from Sugababes, Natasha Bedingfield, and then up and coming artists such as Yard Act, Arlo Parks, The Amazons, and The Lathums.
Look further down the lineup and there’s a plethora of new acts of which you may find a name that’ll end up on the lips of all and sundry in a few years. Check out the Introducing stage for some untapped gold.
Over the years there have been many classic headline nights on the Common and Castle stages with Elbow, New Order, Manic Street Preachers, and Madness, as well as the surprise guests in afternoon slots, which last year was McFly and the organisers have promised another big name.
Alongside the entertainment, there is a banquet of food stalls, ranging from Italian pizza and street food, Asian Fusion chicken, Turkish kebabs, Mexican burritos, Chinese dumplings and noodles, Greek Gyros, Indian street food, donuts, churros, ice cream, Thai, Japanese, Lebanese, Mauritian and more, with a host of bars selling craft beers, ciders, spirits and wine.
If you’re bringing the children, there’s a whole Kids Arena, with ‘meet and greets’ with their favourites including SpongeBob Squarepants.
Something for everyone indeed. We just have to hope the sun stays out for it. Looking changeable. Bring your mackintosh just in case. You’ll be too busy drinking and dancing to care though.
