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This isn’t the first time the band have been involved in an event with an emphasis on climate awareness, with their last appearance in the capital coming as part of a surprise show supporting an Extinction Rebellion protest in 2019. They also commissioned a report from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in 2021 to assess the carbon footprint of live music, offering their findings out to event organisers in a bid to tackle the issues raised.   They put the report’s findings into place last year with their ‘Act 1.5’ shows in Bristol and Liverpool. They incorporated 25 measures that reduce the carbon footprint of the events, including incentives for fans cycling to the shows, serving plant-based foods, and using renewable energy.  

Speaking to NME in December, Robert Del Naja, one half of the duo, revealed that the band had turned down an offer to play Coachella 2025. He gave a damning critique of the event, saying, “It’s in Palm Springs. It’s a golf resort built on a desert, run on a sprinkler system, using public water supplies. Mental. If you want to see something that’s the most ludicrous bit of human behaviour – it’s right there.” Instead, they will grace a festival which has pledged to implement eco-friendly policies ranging from waste management to working with local suppliers and food partners.

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Joining Massive Attack on June 6, are French electronic act Air, Forensics (the newly announced project from Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, and producer The Alchemist), and Tirzah, though more acts will be announced before the festival. Air will also join Massive Attack at INmusic festival, taking place in Zagreb between 23 and 25 June.

LIDO isn’t the only festival that has made sustainability a major consideration. Shamabala has pioneered green initiatives, from banning meat to using alternative fuels such as hydrogenated vegetable oil, solar, and hybrid power instead of diesel generators. In 2023, Glastonbury had a prominent wind turbine installed that powered food stalls. LIDO takes it one step further, suggesting the festival will be powered entirely by batteries. Zenobe provided the batteries for the ‘Act 1.5’ event, repurposing batteries from electric vehicles and giving them a second life.

Massive Attack’s activism extends beyond climate concerns too, with the band canceling a show in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, in 2024. As citizens protested against intrusions on freedom of the press and LGBT rights, the band released a statement, saying “At this moment, performing at the state-owned Black Sea Arena could be seen as an endorsement of their violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society”.

As LIDO Festival prepares for its maiden outing, fans of Massive Attack and the wider music community will be welcoming their push for sustainability in the live music sector, and will be hopeful that the event acts as a blueprint for others to follow. 

The title of the festival, ‘party girl’ is drawn from Charli’s distinctive musical identity of infectious dance beats and relatable lyrics. With a new season and way of life named after her latest album, ‘Brat‘ -  a ‘Brat’ girl summer will continue well into 2025 with LIDO’s forthcoming festival featuring the iconic artist.

Brat summer and it’s the same but it’s in 2025 so it’s not. @charli_xcx is taking over London’s Victoria Park on Sat 14 June with Charli xcx presents: party girl

Joining her will be…@070shake@agcook404@BladeeCity@kellyleeowens@itsthedare@Japanesehouse
& many more TBA! pic.twitter.com/zKJxazrcvE

— lidofestival (@lidofestival) November 25, 2024

Set to take place June 14 2025, Charli’s ‘party girl’ will be the second weekend of LIDO Festival, following a headline set from Jamie XX on June 7, who will curate the lineup anticipating his performance.

There is speculation surrounding the nature of Charli’s headline set. The pop icon has recently began performing her own DJ sets, including gigs at Boiler Room Ibiza and New York, with the nature of LIDO’s ‘party girl’ line up, it would not be surprising if Charli entices the crowd by performing her own DJ set. However, the more feasible option will see Charli perform her biggest anthems from her discography. As ‘Brat’ has become synonymous with the ‘party girl’ aesthetic, it is no doubt Charli will take to the stage with “a packet of cigs, a Bic lighter, and a strappy white top with no bra” – the classic brat girl uniform – to perform her well-known tracks from the album of the same name.

The day-long festival will see appearances from artists which Charli has personally selected. A. G. Cook, a long-term collaborator of Charli, who has earned his own reference in ‘360’ – “you gon’ jump if A. G. made it”, and has produced an array of tracks across Charli’s discography, including ‘Brat’’s lead single ‘Von Dutch’, ‘Club Classics’ and ‘B2b’, will take the stage at LIDO’s Victoria Park.

Alongside Cook, producer of Charli’s ‘Guess’, The Dare will command the stage with his high energy anthems and newfound online popularity following his viral hit ‘Girls’ from his recently released LP ‘What’s Wrong With New York?’. Additionally,  070 Shake, notably recognised for her guest appearance on Raye’s 2022 album ‘Escapism’, which won Song of the Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards, will accompany the many vibrant DJ sets taking place on June 14.

A. G. Cook, The Dare and 070 Shake will be joined by fellow acts: Bladee, Kelly Lee Owens and The Japanese House. These acts, alongside Charli’s headline set are destined to make the ‘party girl’ edition of LIDO Festival a memorable event that is essential to see.

LIDO have suggested that although Charli xcx is the second announced headliner, there will possibly be more headliners to come on their upcoming string of festivals next summer.

More artists for Charli’s ‘party girl’ lineup will be announced in due course.

More information can be found on LIDO’s website. Presale tickets will go on sale on November 27 at 10am, while general sale will commence on November 29 at 10am. They can be accessed here.