Golden Touch Festival 2025 was one of those weekends you don’t forget. Held on June 13th and 14th in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, the event brought together 28 artists across two busy venues, Wedgewood Rooms and Edge of the Wedge, and offered a no-clash schedule so everyone could enjoy every single set – no hard choices, no missing out.
The food? Pizza and pies from Piecaramba. The drinks? Fightback Lager, raising a glass (and funds) for Music Venue Trust, helping protect the grassroots venues we all love. And the vibe? It wasn’t just fun – it was something special. People talked to strangers between sets like old friends. No one cared how old you were or where you came from. Everyone was there for the same reason – to enjoy the music and be in the moment.
So let’s take a look at the acts that really stood out. The festival kicked off on Friday 13th with Lock-In, who brought loads of energy. Then Florentenes kept things moving with catchy songs and a confident performance.
The Mercians were loud, fun and full of energy. They opened with ‘Jimshark’, had everyone shouting during ‘Leave Your Man’ (which probably made a few people rethink their relationships), and closed with ‘Sunday’ – a great, feel-good finish. Their set had a bit of everything: cheeky lyrics, powerful choruses, and a frontman who knew how to keep the crowd locked in.
The Covasettes might’ve had some tech problems, and Chris was still sick – but the crowd didn’t let any of that slow things down. People sang louder, jumped higher, and kept the set alive. ‘Duvet Thief’ was a favourite, ‘Stung’ was a rare surprise, and ‘Top Drawer’ had the whole room bouncing. The band and audience fed off each other’s energy – it was pure live magic.
Keo closed out the smaller stage with a set that clearly made an impact. Songs like ‘Thorn’ and ‘Roadkill’ hit with emotion and strength, showing off a softer, more reflective side of the lineup. They were one of the biggest surprises of the night – and if the buzz online was anything to go by, Keo quickly became a fan favourite across social media. People couldn’t stop talking about their sound, their stage presence, and the way their music connected. One of those “I was there before they blew up” moments.
Fickle Friends ended Friday with pure sunshine energy. Their set was tight, joyful and impossible not to dance to. They played favourites like ‘Swim’, ‘Say No More’ and ‘Brooklyn’, with frontwoman Natti Shiner lighting up the stage. Every track felt like summer in a bottle – bright, breezy and made for singing with your arms around your friends. Final song ‘Run’ was the cherry on top, sending the crowd out into the night with tired feet and happy hearts.
