Boomtown 2025 line-up and essential info

More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the adult-only event

Boomtown music festival returns and organisers have called it the "largest interactive theatre in the world".

More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the adult-only event near Winchester, which is in its 17th year.

Matterley Estate in the South Downs National Park, will become home for music-lovers from Wednesday until Sunday.

Festival-goers are encouraged to become "characters" in the event's fictional world, which will lay host to thousands of performers and over 500 musical acts from 24 countries.

The line-up

Boomtown is sold out for 2025.

There are 12 main stages that host major acts, alongside more than 50 hidden hidden venues within the festival's themed districts.

It claims to have a line-up that dances across musical genres, including reggae, punk, electronic, folk, and more.

Maribou State, Sex Pistols and Sean Paul are among the acts performing on the Grand Central stage over the weekend.

Rudimental and 1991 are two of the names that will take to the Lions Stage.

Getting there

National Express operates the coach service which travels to the festival gates from over 50 locations around the UK.

Coaches arrive on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and all depart on Sunday or Monday.

A shuttle bus service will operate between the festival and the nearest rail link which is Winchester train station.

There is parking at the site for people who are planning to drive to the festival.

Organisers have warned that the M3/A34 Junction can extremely slow for drivers so access will be managed by the Boomtown team.

Further details can be found on the festival's website.

Safety concerns

The event has faced controversy in recent years and Hampshire Constabulary applied to look at the running of the festival, following the death of 22-year-old Benjamin Buckfield last year.

He bought MDMA at Boomtown and died "due to the toxic effects of the drugs," an inquest found.

Winchester City Council decided not to take any action against the festival following a review of its license for alcohol and music in February.

In a recent report, Nicholas Walker, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, said he was concerned an "unchecked, open and free trade" of drugs at festival could lead to more deaths.

Both the festival and the police said their thoughts go out to Mr Buckfield's family and they will work together to respond to the Coroner's report.

The festival makes clear that Illegal Drugs are Strictly Prohibited.

Among the support offered on site is 24/7 professional safeguarding and welfare, licensed behind-the-scenes drug testing and drug amnesty, education, targeted outreach, talking therapy and addiction support.