Boomtown is more than a festival, it’s a fever dream stitched into the hills of Matterley Bowl, Hampshire. For 2025, they have numerous changes and additions, making for a game-changing evolution for Chapter Four: The Power of Now. With a genre-spanning lineup, new sustainability efforts, and a significant expansion of the site, Boomtown is pushing their creative boundaries of what a UK festival can be. This year’s edition brings back fan-favourite areas, introduces two massive new dance stages, and continues to reimagine the experience as more than just music but as an immersive city boasting art, activism, and sound. With just over a month until it kicks off, here's what to expect from 2025's expansion.
In terms of the lineup with over 600 acts announced, Sean Paul, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Koffee, Nia Archives, The Blessed Madonna, Joy Orbison, and Kurupt FM lead a bill that spans jungle, punk, reggae, techno, hip-hop, and folklore. But the music is only the surface. Boomtown 2025 is expanding its borders, both physically and philosophically. With newly approved planning permission from the South Downs National Park Authority, the city’s population is rising to nearly 77,000, giving breathing room to returning districts and alleviating crowd pressure across the map.
Popular district, Old Town, is relocating to the Hilltop. Psyforest returns with a new name and a sharper edge, re-emerging as Anara Forest, a sanctuary of roots, bass, and untamed spirit. Two brand new main dance stages are entering the fray: The Lion’s Gate, hosting a full Friday takeover from BBC Radio 1 Dance, and HYDRO, the UK’s first hydrogen-powered festival stage. Developed in collaboration with clean energy firm Hydrologiq, HYDRO signals a bold step in Boomtown’s mission to cut carbon emissions. No diesel generators. No fumes. Just high-voltage sound and water vapour as the only by-product.
The most radical addition to the Boomtown blueprint might be Thrutopia. Inspired by mytho-political author Manda Scott, Thrutopia is a wellness district that carves out space for transformation through breathwork, workshops, deep ecological thinking, and open conversation around climate, justice, and collective futures. It’s a moment of pause in a city that thrives on chaos. A place to unwind before returning to the rave.
Across eight districts, 12 main stages, and more than 50 hidden venues, Boomtown will be pumping with everything from soundsystem culture and breakneck jungle to protest punk, Afrofuturist soul, and grime. Grand Central will host huge sets from Sean Paul, Fat Dog and Souls of Mischief. The Lion’s Gate will bring full-throttle energy with Overmono, Rudimental, Girls Don’t Sync, and Joy Orbison. Congo Natty, DJ Marky, and General Levy will send deep low-end vibrations through Anara Forest. At HYDRO, house and techno will hit take over from the likes of The Blessed Madonna, Ben Hemsley, and Chris Stussy.
Boomtown isn’t just scaling up, it’s deepening its roots. A commitment to a 10% biodiversity net gain across the Matterley Estate. Stronger protections around sound, light, and transport impact. And a continued promise to the local community, with 1,000 Sunday tickets reserved exclusively for Hampshire residents.
Resale tickets are currently available. This summer, the city returns, more awake, more alive, and ready to thrive.
Resale tickets are available here
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