Y Not 2025 Delivered Peak District Magic
Y Not Festival 2025 just wrapped up what organisers are calling their best ever edition – and frankly, with The Wombats, The Prodigy, Courteeners and Madness headlining, it’s hard to argue.
The four-day Peak District party saw 20,000 punters singing along to everything from indie classics to rave anthems. But the real story? An Oasis tribute band stealing the show.
Noasis were bumped up to the main stage after massive demand, riding the wave of ‘Oasis summer’ hysteria. Lead vocalist Darren Spiby had the entire crowd belting out ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ – and yes, there’s video evidence of the mayhem.
The festival kicked off Thursday with The Wombats returning after a seven-year absence. They opened with the perfectly timed ‘Sorry I’m Late’ before closing with ‘Greek Tragedy’ and ‘Let’s Dance To Joy Division’.
Friday belonged to The Prodigy, who delivered a pulverising set that had Maxim challenging the crowd to “bring the rave and rock energy.” Liam Howlett orchestrated the chaos behind classics like ‘Voodoo People’ and ‘No Good (Start The Dance)’.
Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie turned up in a white suit and crocodile boots, leading the band through ‘Don’t Fight It, Feel It’ and the disco-tinged ‘Love Insurrection’. Because why wouldn’t you wear crocodile boots to a festival?
Saturday saw Courteeners cheekily covering Madness’s ‘It Must Be Love’ before their Sunday slot, while asking for “free tequilas” and singing happy birthday to someone called Greg. Standard Courteeners behaviour, really.
The Last Dinner Party brought theatrical flair with Roman columns and Abigail Morris strutting about in a black trench coat. They premiered new track ‘Angus Dei’ live for the first time.
Sunday’s finale featured Madness doing what they do best – getting entire crowds to sing every word of ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Our House’ and ‘One Step Beyond’. One band member was heard saying it was “the best crowd I’ve ever seen” as they left for the encore.
The K’s had perfect timing, storming the stage fresh off their number one album success. Drummer Nathan Peers called it “the cherry on top” of an overwhelming week.
Festival director John Dell summed it up: “It’s Oasis summer after all!” Fair point – though we suspect Y Not 2026 will have some serious competition living up to this year’s magic.