11 Life Changing Sets at Primavera Sound 2025
Photo Credit: Gisela Jane
Let me preface this by acknowledging that any “top 10” list is heavily influenced by personal taste, and this list of 11 Life Changing Sets at Primavera Sound 2025 is no different. As I am someone who isn’t so keen on the major acts, I haven’t included the likes of Chappell, Sabrina, and Charli. I will say, though, that I do love their hits and their jaw-dropping performances at Primavera Sound 2025 were absolutely undeniable in terms of talent and production!
That being said, these are the acts that stood out to me this year amongst the 25-30 that I managed to catch across 5 days of Primavera-ing. Please do let us know who your top talents were for Primavera Sound 2025 in the comments below as well as on socials (wherever you see this article shared)!
Now without further ado, my top 11 Life Changing Sets at Primavera Sound 2025 along with a very brief
LCD Soundsystem
Photo Credit: Sergio Albert
Something about singing All My Friends with all my friends at 3am just hits different. Core memory.
IDLES
Photo Credit: Clara Orozco
They weren’t originally a must-see for me, but I realized my mistake in not putting them at the top of my list when I went to meet friends there. Amazing way to kick off Thursday.
DJ Koze
Photo Credit: Sharon Lopez
An all-time favorite producer and curator of some of the most memorable DJ sets I’ve seen in recent years. I brought two friends who were ready to leave the festival, and Koze kept the moving for a couple of hours more.
Fontaines DC
Photo Credit: Eric Pamies
The Irish post-punk powerhouse did not disappoint. Even as Chappell Roan fans filled the main stage area, both the energy and message were direct and undeniable.
Nicola Cruz
Photo Credit: Clara Orozco
I was expecting a set akin to his typical releases, and was pleasantly surprised with a deeper, heavier, groovier sonic experience! Picked my energy right up.
Kevin Parker/Tame Impala DJ set
Photo Credit: panorica.com
Amazing setting at the Cupra Pulse stage, and a real surprise treat for fan who were attending Primavera and unable to catch his set a Sala Apolo on Saturday night. Great selection.
Glass Beams
Photo Credit: Eric Pamies
A perfect, hypnotic soundtrack to walk into the festival with the sun still shining while leisurely coordinating your group for the night ahead. One of my favorite acts in the past year or so, and technically brilliant along with eye-catching costumes and ear-worm guitar lines.
Cap’n Jazz
Photo Credit: Christian Bertrand
After finally seeing American Football last year, this was the cherry on top for my Midwest-emo-raised soul. Amazing energy and the sounds of Primavera-past (while playing Primavera present).
DJRUM
Djrum’s “Under Tangled Silence” is one of my favorite albums of 2025 so far, and I was well-aware that his live sets were much more avant garde and break-heavy than his melodic layered production. His vinyl-only set in the Levi’s Warehouse was just what I needed to fulfill my dark electronic needs.
Tie: Caribou (opening night) & Paul Kalkbrenner (closing night)
Photo Credit: Christian Bertrand
It was a risky effort for me to attend both the opening and closings nights, knowing I’d also be at Primavera Pro during the weekdays and the festival grounds at Forum all night Thursday-Saturday. However, hearing Caribou’s “Can’t Do Without You” and Kalkbrenner’s “Feed Your Head” live and dancing with people I love made it all worth it.
Honorable Mentions
Photo Credit: Gisela Jame
Picking 10 sets from this year is like picking a favorite song or movie, totally impossible! For that reason, I’d also like to say the Floating Points, Turnstile, 4am Kru, Barker, Simo Cell, and a few others totally blew me away. I also missed even more acts than I can count due to clashes and the general chaos of the weekend! That’s the beauty of Primavera, though. There’s always more to see.
What are your thoughts for your top acts of Primavera Sound 2025? Let us know!
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