Charli XCX Just Delivered The Most INSANE Headline Set At Reading Festival — And She Literally Brought TWO Eras In One Night 💚

Stop everything, because Charli XCX just reminded everyone why she's the main character of pop music right now.

The British superstar headlined the opening night of Reading Festival on Friday with a set that somehow managed to span her entire career AND launch her brand new era — all while looking absolutely ICONIC. We are not okay.

The New Era Has Arrived

This was Charli's first UK festival performance since dropping her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film, and she came to DELIVER. According to BBC News, the record marks a major pivot from her culture-shaping, electronic-pop album Brat (which, yes, became an actual cultural phenomenon in 2024) and features way more of a rock edge.

But here's the genius part: she didn't make us choose between eras. The set showcased the best of BOTH albums, plus fan-favourite deep cuts from her back catalogue that had the hardcore stans absolutely losing it.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at the main stage as distorted, black-and-white videos of Charli kicked off the show. Then the chords struck up for Rock Music — the lead single from the new album — and the crowd absolutely ERUPTED.

Multiple Costume Changes, Pyro, And A LIVE BAND

If you thought the Brat tour was big, think again. Charli upped the production to an entirely new level with more elaborate staging, numerous costume changes (she went from a black sparkly blazer to a black corseted dress mid-set), dramatic pyro, strobe lighting that could probably be seen from outer space, and she was backed by a host of dancers AND a live band.

After delivering punchy renditions of new tracks Wink Wink, Yeah and Card Declined, she moved into the second act of the performance which showcased just how DEEP her discography goes — from pop hit Track 10 from her 2017 mixtape to the melancholic tones of House, which she co-wrote for the recent Wuthering Heights soundtrack album.

Yes, you read that right. Charli XCX wrote for a Wuthering Heights soundtrack. The RANGE.

The Brat Girls Were FED

For everyone still craving those infectious dance tracks that made Brat a Grammy-winner and a cultural reset, Charli absolutely delivered. She broke out Club Classics, 365, and the Grammy-winning Von Dutch — and the crowd went FERAL.

The Grammy-winning Von Dutch. Let that sink in.

After returning to the more punk style of Music, Fashion, Film, she closed with the album's final track, No One Lasts Forever. The song ends with filmmaker David Cronenberg saying "no one lasts forever / they are dead, they are gone" and "oblivion is freedom" — and Charli just let those words ring out as she stared across the crowd, surrounded by her dancers.

CHILLS. Literal chills.

The Tea ☕

• Charli headlined Reading's opening night with an era-spanning set mixing her new rock-influenced album Music, Fashion, Film with Brat classics
• The production was MASSIVE: multiple costume changes, pyro, strobe lights, dancers, and a live band
• She performed everything from brand new tracks to deep cuts from 2017, plus Grammy-winner Von Dutch
• Irish rock band Fontaines DC co-headlined after Charli (though they had to wait 30 minutes due to a delay)
• Grime artist Skepta hyped up the crowd before Charli in a lime green waterproof jacket — very Brat-coded

And The Festival Continues

The rock energy continued as Fontaines DC followed Charli as the second headliner of the night. The Irish rock band from Dublin had fans waiting about half an hour longer due to a delay, but according to the BBC, they quickly won everyone back with hits like Favourite and I Love You, closing with their Grammy-nominated track Starbuster.

Earlier in the day, grime legend Skepta took the main stage in a lime green waterproof jacket (Brat girl behaviour, honestly) and powered through actual rainstorms to get the crowd hyped. Him belting out "it rains, it pours" from Praise the Lord (Da Shine) during an actual downpour? Chef's kiss.

Reading and Leeds will feature six major headliners this weekend, with rapper Dave, singer-songwriter Raye, electronic duo Chase & Status, and Florence + The Machine all set to top the bill. And according to festival bosses, this will be the ONLY UK festival appearance for all of them this year.

Translation: if you're not there, you're missing out on THE pop culture moment of the summer.

So here's the question: are you Team Brat era or Team Music, Fashion, Film? Or are you like Charli and refusing to choose? Sound off below. 💚

Sources:

• BBC News - Charli XCX electrifies Reading Festival with era-spanning set