**London Grammar Stand United with Fans at LIDO Festival, Championing Music’s Unifying Power**
Music fans were treated to a memorable evening in Victoria Park as acclaimed indie pop group London Grammar took to the stage to headline the LIDO Festival on a warm Sunday night. The band, noted for their atmospheric sound and chart-topping albums, delivered a set that was both emotionally resonant and energetically uplifting, offering fans a night of musical escapism during unsettling times.
Fronted by lead vocalist Hannah Reid, alongside guitarist Dan Rothman and keyboardist Dominic “Dot” Major, London Grammar have regularly captured the imagination of audiences with their ethereal melodies and poignant lyrics. Their latest album, *The Greatest Love*, released in September of the previous year, continues to solidify their position in the British music landscape. Against a backdrop of ongoing global turmoil and news of conflict, the timing and tone of their LIDO Festival performance seemed more significant than ever.
Addressing the audience between songs, Reid shared heartfelt reflections on the current state of the world. “The world’s not a very nice place at the moment, and it’s really, really sad,” she admitted, her words striking a chord with concertgoers. Aware that concerts can sometimes feel detached from ongoing hardships elsewhere, she expressed a hope that even brief moments of musical connection might offer solace and togetherness: “I wish the music can bring us together, just for a moment,” she told the crowd.
Reid has often spoken openly about her own vulnerabilities, both in interviews and through her lyrics. Despite past admissions of “terrible stage fright,” she appeared composed and confident on stage, displaying her signature haunting vocal style. There was a touching moment of candour when, having forgotten the words to the band’s third song, *Kind of Man*, she paused and restarted the track with laughter and encouragement from fans. This spirit of openness underscored the night’s message — that music and shared experiences can dissolve boundaries, even just for a few hours.
That spirit of camaraderie was further reinforced as Reid referenced changes in the band’s onstage dynamic: “We’ve been performing together for 15 years, and this is the first time ever — and I wasn’t sent the memo — that the boys have switched around on either side of me.” The reshuffled arrangement did little to disrupt the flow, with the trio’s musical chemistry as apparent as ever. Their set provided a carefully curated journey through their discography, including crowd favourites like *Hey Now* and their lauded cover of Kavinsky’s *Nightcall*, which soared in popularity following its feature in the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony.
Fans in attendance, including Zoey Axton, 27, visiting from San Francisco, praised the group’s capacity to create an “electric and moody” atmosphere. “It was the perfect vibe for a Sunday evening,” she shared, echoing sentiments heard throughout the delighted throng.
London Grammar first came together in 2009 when Reid and Rothman met at the University of Nottingham, a partnership that quickly grew both creatively and personally. The band have since built a reputation not only for their sound but also for championing emotional authenticity, a quality Reid believes is shared by many of the festival’s featured female artists. Speaking prior to the event, she described the LIDO lineup as “women being really strong and making themselves vulnerable at the same time”.
Alongside London Grammar, the festival also welcomed performances from celebrated artists such as Celeste, Pip Millett, Wasia Project, Maverick Sabre, and saw headline turns from UK electronic staples Charli XCX and Jamie xx. Named after Victoria Park’s historic Lido Field, the festival’s music series was only announced last autumn but has quickly established itself as one of London’s most anticipated summer events.
As the evening drew to a close, the sense of shared relief and joy was evident in both the band and audience, a testament to the enduring power of live music. For a few fleeting hours, Victoria Park became a sanctuary, reminding all in attendance that in dark and unsettling periods, music still has the power to unite, heal, and inspire hope.