Live, in Photos: Flow Festival 2025 with Charli XCX, FKA twigs, Air, and More

EventsLive, In Photos

Live, in Photos: Flow Festival 2025 with Charli XCX, FKA twigs, Air, and More

Sudan Archives, Kneecap, Little Simz, Lola Young, and more from the annual fest in Helsinki, Finland.

Photos: Joshua Mellin

August 11, 2025

Flow Festival unfolds inside a decommissioned power plant in Helsinki’s Suvilahti neighborhood, an industrial shell that somehow feels inviting. Smoke stacks glow in rainbow colors, massive art installations bloom between brick walls, and friendly fans drift through the maze of pathways. This year’s edition landed in a rare sweet spot when warm summer days rolled into cool nights—prime conditions for Finland’s fleeting season of outdoor celebration before the early sunsets and cold winds reclaim Northern Europe.

Food has long been a defining facet of Flow’s identity, and its meat-free menu continues to set the standard for festival dining. Helsinki’s chefs treat the restriction like an opportunity, turning out inventive, deeply satisfying dishes. This year included Hans Välimäki’s Gina X Flow, a seated Italo-disco themed pizza party in the heart of the grounds. Between slices, there were vegan dàn dàn noodles, Shinobi’s teriyaki rice cakes, and gooey grilled cheese from Levain Bakery. It’s a reminder that plant-based doesn’t mean compromise. In Flow’s hands, it’s a full-on culinary highlight.

The festival’s appeal stretched beyond its gates. Sauna and sea swims at Löyly, named one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places,” became a weekend ritual for many, along with a tour of a Helsinki Distillery’s whiskey vault, cherry liqueur tastings, and the simple pleasure of lingering in the city’s summer light until well past what should be sunset.

On stage, Finland’s own stars made their presence felt. Sexmane, one of the country’s biggest artists, launched into a chaotic moshpit party that threatened to pull the entire crowd into its vortex. Goldilocks brought stylish nocturnal energy to the Silver Tent, while Turisti, Finland’s most-streamed artist, opened his set with a song dedicated to Flow Festival—a knowing nod to the weekend’s role in the local music landscape.

International heavyweights filled out the bill. French art-pop duo Air, known for their meticulous musicianship, overcame sound issues early on to weave a set celebrating the 20th anniversary of Moon Safari. They didn’t perform the album in full, instead threading in “Cherry Blossom Girl” from Talkie Walkie and “Playground Love” from the Virgin Suicides OST, deepening the nostalgia. FKA twigs arrived with her Eusexua tour, her dancers providing much of the visual and kinetic thrill. While moments like “Two Weeks” and the tear-streaked “Cellophane” finale hit hard, the set’s pacing never quite found its balance, sometimes sagging between its highs.

Kneecap, the Irish rap trio known for their politically charged performances, turned their late-night set into a full-throttle rally, with fans waving Palestinian flags above the mosh. On the Balloon 360° stage, Finnish soul singer Emilia Sisco and her band The Northern Lights delivered a warm, groove-rich set that felt tailor-made for the venue’s intimate, in-the-round atmosphere. Meanwhile, Yung Lean brought his cloud-rap cool to the Silver Stage, delivering a moody, magnetic set that kept the crowd locked in until the last beat.

Burna Boy’s return as a headliner was pure spectacle, an irresistibly fun, fire-filled performance that had fans dancing with abandon. Sudan Archives delivered one of the weekend’s most intriguing sets, her violin-driven R&B performance filled with new, unreleased material. Lola Young, the British songwriter drawing comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse, previewed songs from her upcoming album releasing in September, her smoky voice confirming the hype.

And then there was Charli XCX. Anticipation for her Flow debut had been building since her booking was announced right after last year’s festival. Early in the set, she hinted this might be her last European show “like this” for a while, adding to the urgency in the air. The now-iconic green Brat banner was absent, but Alma, Charli’s Finnish friend and collaborator, appeared in the photo pit as the “Apple Girl,” dancing in a shirt that declared “I Am the After Party.” Charli tore through the set with what’s become her standard ferocity, reaffirming the Brat era’s dominance and quieting any doubters about her staying power.

By the time the last beats faded and the rainbow-lit smokestacks dimmed, Suvilahti’s old industrial bones seemed to hum with the weekend’s energy. Flow 2025 left the city glowing: part music pilgrimage, part culinary adventure, part summer love letter, all proof that even in the shadow of steel and brick, the spirit of Helsinki’s brightest weekend can’t help but shine.

See more highlights from the weekend below.