We’ve almost reached the end of 2025, and it’s time to reflect on the year of music gone by with our end-of-year lists.
First up, it’s our “Top 5 Live Music Moments in 2025“, in a year shaped by nostalgia and once-in-a-generation reunions.
From surprise guest appearances on the world’s biggest stages, to deeply emotional returns and long-awaited comebacks, there was plenty to shout about this year.
Here are the five live music moments that we believe defined 2025…
5) Olivia Rodrigo Brings Out Robert Smith at Glastonbury
Olivia Rodrigo’s ascent from pop-punk prodigy to full-blown headliner reached a surreal peak at Glastonbury when she welcomed The Cure’s Robert Smith to the Pyramid Stage during her headline set. It landed as a genuine passing-of-the-torch moment, as a previous headliner of that very stage joined one if its youngest ever headline acts. Together, they tore through a spellbinding version of Friday I’m in Love, followed by a darker, heavier Just Like Heaven. Rodrigo was visibly in awe of performing with an icon like Smith, and proved that her influences aren’t just aesthetic, but deeply felt, in a wholesome Glastonbury moment.
4) Bruce Springsteen Joined On Stage By Paul McCartney at Anfield
Liverpool has seen no shortage of musical history, but even Anfield wasn’t prepared for this. Especially as there was no sign of Macca on Bruce’s previous night. Opening the encore of Bruce Springsteen’s euphoric second stadium set in the city, the chords of Can’t Buy Me Love rang out, and Paul McCartney was indeed up on stage. Two titans, two generations of songwriting genius, sharing the stage like old friends. The moment was joyous rather than showy, turning the stadium into one massive sing-along. They also performed Kansas City / Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey together, before Bruce continued with his own biggest hits to close the set.
3) Lewis Capaldi’s Emotional Glastonbury Return
Few moments in recent live music history have felt as raw, or as human, as Lewis Capaldi’s unannounced Glastonbury return. Appearing for a secret daytime set, Capaldi was visibly emotional as he addressed the crowd, acknowledging the journey that brought him back to that field after cutting his previous appearance short in 2023 due to struggles with his Tourette’s Syndrome. Many would fear ever returning to a stage that size again, but Capaldi was determined to finish what he started. Performing a short seven-song set, including a debut of new single ‘Survive’, it was mission accomplished for Lewis and the launch of his next career chapter after some Glastonbury closure.
2) Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show at Villa Park
Birmingham came to a standstill as Black Sabbath returned home for one final, thunderous goodbye at Villa Park for the “Back to the Beginning” show. The day honoured the band’s seismic impact on music, with the help of plenty of special guests, including Yungblud’s acclaimed cover of ‘Changes’ which captured Sabbath’s influence on a new generation. This was alongside performances from fellow rock heavyweights paying their respects, such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer, along with the return to stage of Ozzy Osbourne, of which the iconic images will live forever in the history books. RIP Ozzy!
1) The Oasis Live ’25 Comeback Tour
And topping our list for 2025 is, of course, the Oasis reunion. The announcement alone felt seismic when that arrived, but the reality somehow exceeded it. Oasis Live ’25 wasn’t just a reunion, it felt like a cultural reset. Night after night, following the initial show in Cardiff on 4th July, Liam and Noel Gallagher stood shoulder to shoulder once more, joined by Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell, and drummer, Joey Waronker. Tearing through a setlist packed with their biggest hits, any doubters were silenced instantaneously. It was a live show for the ages, and the band were back at the peak of their powers. The crowds were multi-generational, with parents and teenagers united in euphoric disbelief. Surely there is more to come from 2026 onwards?
Do you agree with our Top 5 Live Music Moments of 2025? Or any glaring omissions? Have your say!
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