Saturday at All Together Now felt like the festival was hitting full stride, there were buzzing crowds, flawless weather (again), and a seriously stacked lineup across every corner of the site. I kicked off my day at The Bandstand with Glasshouse, who performed their reimagining of The Velvet Underground’s catalogue. Their set really suited the setting, a perfect way to start the afternoon.
Over at Lovely Days, it was my first time catching Aaron Rowe live, and he completely blew me away. He’s been generating loads of buzz lately and absolutely lived up to the hype. Later at Flourish, Bren Berry played to a crowd full of people literally wearing their support, his name across T-shirts in the style of Charli XCX, maybe a Bren Summer? The energy was unreal, and it was genuinely great to finally see him live after hearing so much of his work throughout the year.
Back on Lovely Days, Biig Piig was all bounce and brightness. Her set was full of joy and movement, she brought so much energy to the stage and had the crowd right there with her from start to finish. I actually bumped into her later backstage and can confirm she’s just as warm and lovely offstage too. After that, I headed toward Immerse, which continues to be one of the most visually striking areas at the festival. Under the blazing sun, Cait took to the stage and delivered a real treat for those basking in the August heat.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 on the Main Stage were another highlight. The groove was infectious, and the crowd was loving every moment, plenty of dancing, smiling, and that contagious Afrobeat rhythm filling the field. From there, it was CMAT time, and it felt like the entire site had migrated to catch her. She pulled a massive, excitable crowd, all waiting for that viral moment (yes, THAT dance made an appearance), and she didn’t disappoint.
I then ducked down to Hidden Sounds for Maria Kelly. She was stunning, delicate, emotive, and just as affecting as her recorded material. It was a real moment of calm in the middle of an otherwise wild day. That wildness returned in full force soon after with Gurriers back at Lovely Days. Chaos in the best possible way! Strobes, mosh pits, crowd surfing, and barricade-climbing that continued long into the night.
Over on the Main Stage, London Grammar delivered a high-production headline set on the Main Stage. Their sound was pristine, the visuals were next level, and there was even a drone flying around the band and over the crowd that streamed to the big screens, it was slick, stylish, and really next level.
To end my night I caught JWY over at Arcadia. It’s hands down one of the most visually mind-blowing stages on site, and with lasers, flames, and smoke erupting from towering pillars, it was a proper jaw-dropper of a finish.
Saturday was wall-to-wall magic. The site was packed, the atmosphere was unreal, and the mix of talent across genres and stages showed exactly why All Together Now keeps raising the bar. Bring on the final day.
Glasshouse photos:
Aaron Rowe photos:
Bren Berry photos:
Biig Piig photos:
Cait photos:
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 photos:
CMAT photos:
Maria Kelly photos:
Gurriers photos:
London Grammar photos:
JWY photos:
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography