"Portraits that speak. Landscapes that linger. Moments that matter. Photos with purpose — framed by feeling."

This year marked my third time attending Mighty Hoopla, and I think it is safe to say that I am officially a regular now. There is something magnetic about this festival that keeps pulling me back year after year. Maybe it is the unapologetic celebration of queerness, the pure euphoria of pop, or simply the chance to be surrounded by glitter, joy, and thousands of people living their truth. Whatever it is, Hoopla continues to be one of the most affirming, exciting, and emotional weekends of the year — and 2025 was no exception.

A Weekend of Nonstop Pop

Hoopla is many things — chaotic, joyful, emotional, and delightfully camp — but this year, it was also wall-to-wall bangers. Across two gloriously sunny days at Brockwell Park, I saw acts that made me dance like nobody was watching, and others that left me unexpectedly emotional.

Day One Highlights:

A*Teens — Yes, THAT A*Teens. The sheer nostalgia was overwhelming. Hearing their ABBA covers live in 2025 felt like time-travelling through glitter.

VINCINT — An absolute vocal powerhouse. His voice filled the park with such passion, and his presence was magnetic. A true queer icon in the making.

Amy Studt — One of the most emotional sets of the day for me. “Misfit” and “Just a Little Girl” hit harder live, surrounded by people who clearly held those songs close to their hearts.

Booty Luv — The crowd went OFF. It was like being dropped straight back into a 2007 club night. Everyone knew the words, and everyone danced.

Mutya Buena — Vocals? Immaculate. Vibe? Effortless. Watching her was a masterclass in cool.

Tom Aspaul — A perfect way to close the day on a high. His set was polished, sexy, and full of queer joy. “Tender” live under a dusky London sky? Perfection.

Day Two Highlights:

Kesha — The headliner and an absolute revelation. She was bold, free, and electric. You could feel how much this performance meant to her — and to all of us. Kesha didn’t just perform hits, she claimed space. This was a woman living her freedom and looking the best she’s ever looked doing it. The crowd screamed every word. “Praying” was a communal exorcism. “Blow” was carnage. And when she hit us with “We R Who We R” — it felt like a mission statement:

“Tonight, we’re going hard, just like the world is ours…”

And it was. She owned that stage — and I can’t wait for her next album. Bring it on.

Loreen — Mysterious, magnetic, and giving art-pop diva energy. It was like watching weather in human form. Every movement was drama.

Erika Jayne — Pure Vegas glamour and chaos. She gave everything: feathers, dancers, sequins, stunts. One of the most outrageous performances of the weekend, and it was glorious.

Heidi Montag — She stepped out like a walking talking glittery pop meme and we ATE IT UP. The Union Jack bodysuit? The nostalgia? 10/10.

Samantha Mumba — An unexpected emotional highlight. When the crowd belted “Lately” back at her, I genuinely teared up. It was such a tender, communal moment.

Alice Chater — High-energy perfection. The vocals, the moves, the stage presence — she has it. Expect to see her name topping more line-ups in the future.

Lulu — A legend. Her energy was unmatched, and you could tell she was living for the crowd. The gays? We ate.

Vengaboys — What even needs to be said? Camp Eurodance chaos and a crowd screaming every word. Euphoric.

The Power of Queer Spaces

What makes Mighty Hoopla truly special is not just the music — it is the people. It is the outfits, the hugs between strangers, the emotional group singalongs, the drag queens perched on picnic tables, and the freedom to exist exactly as you are.

You can feel it from the moment you arrive: this is a space built by and for the queer community. It is a kind of utopia — one where gender norms dissolve, joy is contagious, and love is loud. You are seen here, no matter what version of yourself you bring. And as someone who has often struggled to find spaces that feel safe, this means everything.

Hoopla isn’t just a party. It is protest. It is pride. It is healing.

Phone in Hand, Heart Full

I did not bring my camera this year — all the photos I took were snapped on my phone, but I am still so proud of what I captured. From Kesha mid-howl to Erika Jayne’s lift stunt, each image is a chaotic slice of queer joy. These are not polished editorial shots — they are memories, energy, and moments I never want to forget.

I’ll be putting together a full photo reel of my favourite shots from the weekend — including some crowd moments, glitter bombs, and those blink-and-you-miss-it visuals that make Hoopla feel the way it does. Keep an eye on my [Instagram / site] for the full set.

Quick Festival Stats:

• Over 30,000 attendees across the weekend
• Held in Brockwell Park, London
• Temperatures peaked at 24°C (yes, we sweated with pride)
• Featured 90+ acts across multiple stages
• This was my third year attending (and it will not be my last)

COMPILATION VIDEO

Check out a montage of some of the performances I saw here:

Why I Keep Coming Back

Each time I go to Mighty Hoopla, I feel like I leave a little lighter. The world outside can be exhausting — especially for queer people — but this festival is a reminder of how strong, diverse, and beautiful our community is. It is also just damn good fun.

I already know I will be back in 2026. Because where else can you sob to a Samantha Mumba ballad, scream every word to “Blow” by Kesha, rediscover Amy Studt, and then dance to “Boom Boom Boom Boom!!” with drag queens in a field?

Mighty Hoopla, thank you. For the music, for the magic, for the mayhem. See you next year.