Beat- Herder 2025 - Our Fave UK Festival
- ACID RAIN TEAM
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
Ah, wasn't that lovely!? Beat-Herder 2025 was everything and more than what we could have wished for. I'm assuming you who are reading have either been to BH or are thinking about going, we can truly say it is worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY.
This year, the full team took to the hilly slopes, the hidden chambers, and the booming basslines like ducks to water. Quack, Quack. Alyssa's first time, but Will's and if you haven't already seen our 2024 video please watch it here:
This time around, we had better microphones and an actual fucking camera - hallelujah! 🙌
We got to interview the one and only FISH56OCTAGON ahead of his set in Toil Trees, what a lovely man ❤️ and we got to talk to YOU guys, and say hey to those who watched the 2024 instalment - Thank you to EVERYONE who came up to us to say hey!
Well, we did it again and even LONGER - so long that it's taken 3 months to edit down 6 HOURS OF FOOTAGE to just over 2 hours worth in Two parts which you can watch below 👇
When I say (The Editor) that I had so much fun putting together the entire film, that is an understatement. I really hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it. Be ready for absolutely everything - I don't wanna give any spoilers but its mint ... Duh!
For me, Beat-Herder is all about great music, wicked people and a loveable community. Some have been coming for over a decade, others only one or two but the bond between each punter lasts a lifetime. So, I hope you enjoy the videos (my blood, sweat and tears (Happy)). For now, read what Will and Alyssa had to say about the MOST BELOVED FESTIVAL IN THE NORTH!
Will:
Beatherder is a really special place. I’d been looking forward to it since packing up my tent last year after my first time. As expected, I had a fantastic time. It’s easily my favourite festival and I plan on being there every year. The usual anticipated brilliance was present but there are a few things that were new to me this year that I want to spotlight!
Firstly, it was surreal meeting so many people that saw our content from last year. The highest praise I never even considered came in the form of people that came to Beatherder because they saw our video. Having an impact on someone is always surreal but being able to share the gem that is Beatherder is very fulfilling. I had the same knowing gleam in my eye when talking to the first timers that I saw in the eyes of Beatherder veterans I met last year. It was humbling to be appreciated and I hope this year’s video (bigger, better, funnier?) will reach people too.
Secondly, last year I saw Beatherder’s Got Talent and dismissed it, thinking it was something akin to a karaoke tent (no offence folks, just not for me!) but this year we found ourselves at The Working Men’s club just before it kicked off and I am so glad I got to experience it in full. It was, without a doubt, the funniest thing I’ve seen at a festival. Even funnier than watching my two friends play a game of “world cup” at Outlook UK which involved booting a ball as hard as possible and tripping over tent guidelines trying to get on the end of the pass. The judges were hilarious, the stage was packed and the atmosphere was electric. It really encapsulated what Beatherder is for me: community driven, wholesome (not you, Judge Mental) and funny. Mark my words, whatever the line up is next year, Beatherder’s Got Talent will be one of my most anticipated time slots. They could get Talking Heads back together and I’ll still be at Beatherder’s Got Talent.
I don’t want to spend too long re-hashing the thoughts from my first time last year but I can’t write about Beatherder without talking about Gay Paris. I found out this year that the line-up is kept secret for a reason as my (now) partner and I closed out the Saturday at Beatherder skanking away to Samurai Breaks at 3am. A welcome surprise, love that guy. That Saturday was probably my favourite single day of any festival, ever. Gay Paris rules. Nuff said.
Speaking of Saturday, other highlights include Chav Brass, Congo Natty, 4am Kru, Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra (who blew me away!) and were immediately followed by Tragedy. Imagine my surprise when my editor said “we’re gonna go see Tragedy, they do covers”. It’s a good job that I trust her because she really under sold that one! They do thrash metal covers of songs like “It’s Raining Men” and I had a blast. I was lucky enough to speak to them after and they were absolutely lovely.
I cannot wait for Beatherder next year. Shout out to all our friends from last year that we saw again and those we met for the first time, especially Aliex. (she knows who she is)
Alyssa: This was my first proper camping festival so I’ll be real, I was a bit nervous going in. Between the mud, the tents and the toilets, I thought I’d be ready to kill Will by the first night. But I honestly loved every second of it. I completely understand why this festival forms its own little community with people returning every year. The site’s small enough that you can see it all without getting bored, but still big enough that you never feel like you’re missing out.
The Working Men’s Club was probably my favourite stage - especially Tragedy, who we saw on the last night (but I will say the label of ‘tribute act’ does them a huge misservice, they are phenomenal).
K-Klass were unreal too, they are a staple at Beatherder and it feels like the perfect place to see them live. Intimate, music-driven, and fun. To everyone's surprise, I even ended up enjoying a drum and bass set which speaks for itself really (I detest dnb). The range on offer in such a small place is mad, and the people who put it all together have absolutely smashed it.
The highlight of the whole thing though was meeting and interviewing Fish56Octagon. Honestly one of the best moments of my music journalism journey so far, and it made the weekend feel really special. We met some beautiful people, had the best time, and I already
can’t wait to go back next year. As always guys, we will see you at the FRONT - Beat-Herder 2026 here we come ❤️ And next year, say hi to Alyssa... Follow us:
ACID RAIN
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