ALL POINTS EAST 2025 - BARRY CAN’T SWIM
Dance music King rules in London
★★★★☆ (4/5)
BARRY CAN’T SWIM HEADLINING ALL POINTS EAST FESTIBVAL - 22 AUGUST 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: Bethan Miller-Carey (@bethanmillerco)
This Friday, August 22nd, East London’s Victoria Park pulsed with energy as thousands of dance music fans made the pilgrimage to All Points East 2025. Excitement was palpable as fans waited for Scottish DJ / producer Barry Can’t Swim (Josh Mainnie) to headline one of his biggest festival shows yet. Mainnie’s rise has been meteoric since his 2023 debut “When Will We Land?” put him on the map for many. His latest project “Loner” has further helped to establish his artistic identity and renowned ability to blend genres into crowd-pleasing house tracks.
In the build-up to the headline act, supporting acts throughout the day helped to curate the perfect atmosphere. Confidence Man brought their signature blend of theatrically infectious energy, attracting a huge crowd who were unified in their reverence for the disco-fuelled fever dream.
Shygirl delivered a genre-melding DJ set that blended grime, pop and experimental sonic production to produce a real treat for those in attendance. While a blisteringly hot set by DJ Heartstring captivated those in the CUPRA North tent. Where the enclosed stage allowed the sound and visuals to delight.
In all, the support felt cohesive and acted as a curated buffet of electronic music that appealed to all comers. Elevating beyond a series of stacked names into a real festival experience which provides both high-octane thrill and chilled moments of introspection.
This led to a palpable feeling of excitement around the festival grounds as the support acts concluded and fans waited eagerly for Barry Can’t Swim to emerge. Cheers moved out in a wave from the stage as Mainnie took to the stage. Wasting no time in capturing the crowd's attention as he launched into his distinctive style. House beats propelled the audience with kinetic energy, acting as a great moment of catharsis for both those in attendance and for an act who had previously attended this very festival.
As the set progressed euphoric highs contrasted against quieter moments, maintaining a high level of energy while also allowing emotional tracks room to breathe. The inclusion of in-person instruments helped to add richness to the sound.
Elevating the performance further was the use of powerful visuals and lighting. Transporting the audience into the narrative of each song, the stage helped to underline the dedication to artistry that had been present throughout the day.
Collective excitement was everywhere as Mainnie built up to fan favourites, his set programming helped to make sure feet were rarely not dancing. Highlights of the set were many but “Kimbara” served as a special moment, as one of the first tracks that garnered Mainnie mainstream attention was received as a modern classic. A powerful close came from a combo of “Deadbeat Gospel” and “Sunsleeper”, which wrenched every last drop of energy from the crowd and left them on a high which stayed with them as they left the park.
The performance stood out for its sincerity, musical depth and sheer joy. The entire day acted as a reminder of how dance music thrives on a sense of connection. With such a powerful live act, and such a dedicated fanbase, the music of Barry Can’t Swim is set to soundtrack sweaty club and summers nights for years to come.
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON