Charli XCX headlined Reading Festival on Friday evening with an expansive set showcasing tracks from across her catalogue. The performance marked the British singer's first major UK festival appearance since releasing her latest studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, which represents a shift toward rock from the electronic-pop sound of her previous record Brat.
The set featured material from both albums alongside fan favourites from her back catalogue. Charli opened with the lead single from Music, Fashion, Film, Rock Music, before performing new tracks including Wink Wink, Yeah and Card Declined. She later moved through her discography, playing House from the Wuthering Heights soundtrack album and dance-oriented songs such as Club Classics, 365 and Von Dutch from Brat, the 2024 release that became a cultural phenomenon. She closed the set with No One Lasts Forever, the final track on her latest album.
The production was more elaborate than her previous Brat tour, with elaborate staging, multiple costume changes, pyrotechnics, strobe lighting, a live band and dancers. Distorted black-and-white videos of Charli played throughout the performance.
Dublin rock band Fontaines DC followed Charli as co-headliners for the opening night, though their set was delayed by about half an hour. The band performed hits including Favourite and I Love You, closing with their Grammy-nominated track Starbuster from their fourth album, Romance.
Grime artist Skepta also performed on the main stage ahead of Charli's set, wearing a lime green waterproof jacket as he performed through heavy rain. He played tracks including his collaboration with A$AP Rocky, Praise the Lord (Da Shine), and Victory Lap with Fred Again.. and PlaqueBoyMax. Earlier in the afternoon, guitarist Jamie T performed at midday, while other acts on Friday included US rock band Geese and BBC Radio 1's Sound of 2026 winner Skye Newman.
