Saturday the 14th went from soft voices to crowd chaos. Better Joy opened Saturday with a warm, dreamy set that felt like a gentle hug. Led by Manchester singer Bria Keely, the band played soft indie songs with sparkly guitar sounds and emotional vocals. Their music has been called “bittersweet indie-pop”, and it really stood out. Songs like ‘Waiting on Time’ and ‘Carnival’ had a nostalgic, laid-back feel – the perfect start to the day.
Spangled followed and brought the noise – and their fans. The crowd was loud, the room was moving, and their lead singer had some really nice moves to show off. Their guitar-driven sound was full of energy, and it felt like half the crowd already knew every word. It was sweaty, loud, and everything a mid-day set should be. Jerry Williams gave a quiet moment – just her voice and a guitar. It was simple, beautiful and honest.
The Kairos brought back the volume with big tracks like ‘Suspend’, ‘Lazy’ and ‘Punchline’. Their energy was huge, and the crowd was loving it. They had a raw, confident edge – the kind that gets people off their phones and into the moment. A proper rock-and-roll moment.
Keyside and M60 kept the room going, while Balancing Act surprised many with catchy rhythms and a really solid performance. One of the most underrated bands of the day. Their set flowed effortlessly, and the melodies stuck with you long after they walked off stage – a definite “who were they?” moment in the best way.
Then came The Clause – and the room went wild. ‘Nothing As It Seems’ and ‘I Don’t Care’ were loud and fun, but ‘In My Element’ was the big one. Everyone was jumping, clapping, shouting – it felt like the whole venue shook.
Somebody’s Child ended Saturday with a set full of feelings. ‘The Kid’, ‘Irish Goodbye’ and ‘We Could Start a War’ were emotional and strong – a perfect way to end the weekend. They struck a beautiful balance between vulnerability and power, with lyrics that felt like they were written for everyone in the room.
From artists to fans to the people slinging pies and pints, it was a celebration of community. No set clashes, no bad vibes, and no one left behind. Just great music, open conversations, new favourite bands and shared moments in tiny, packed rooms. And of course, none of it would have been possible without Billy Fitzjohn, the heart behind the festival, who once again brought Portsmouth an unforgettable weekend of live music.
This year’s Golden Touch wasn’t just a weekend – it was a reminder of what live music is supposed to be. And if 2026 brings anything like this, we’ll be the first in line.
