Barry Can’t Swim at All Points East 2025: A Headline Set to Remember
Headline debut on his birthday
Barry Can’t Swim turned 33 on Friday, 22 August 2025, and celebrated in style. The Scottish DJ and producer stepped onto the West Stage at All Points East for his first ever major festival headline slot. The atmosphere in Victoria Park was electric before he even pressed play.
In a cheeky twist, he later joked about his early days: “Two years ago I played Hoxton Hall… now doing this… is crazy,” underlining how far he’s come.
A radiant stage setup powered by live musicianship
The performance wasn’t just a DJ set, it was a full-blown live production, complete with a band, horns, and strings, elevating his tracks into lush, jazzy explorations. His stage was framed by dynamic horizontal and vertical lighting that complemented the big-screen visuals, turning the Park into a whirling dance playground.
Opening with “The Person You’d Like to Be”, Barry set an introspective yet electrifying tone. He weaved through blissed-out cuts like Kimbara, Woman, and Always Get Through to You, the visuals conjuring nostalgic silhouettes reminiscent of old iPod adverts. Two-thirds in, he plunged the set into darkness before erupting into “How It Feels,” sparking a wave of euphoria.
Tracks from his recent album Loner—like Still Riding, Different, Deadbeat Gospel, and Sunsleeper—arrived with force, stirring the crowd into a unified frenzy. By the end, the audience was chanting “Happy birthday,” proving the performance was both personal and universally infectious.
Guest appearances added to the magic. Låpsley joined for Woman, while onedeadbeat appeared for Deadbeat Gospel. Barry also dropped Like It’s Part of the Dance, with its clever Brandy sample, reminding fans of his playful production style.
What could’ve remained ambient background music was transformed into headline-grade magic. Critics praised the energy, sound quality, and sincerity, calling it a “perfect All Points East headline performance” filled with “wholesomeness and dance music joy in spades”.
