Glastonbury 2025 is set to make history once again as Azaadi, the pioneering South Asian music stage returns with an electrifying new programme that promises to push boundaries, dissolve borders, and amplify the voices of South Asian artists from around the world.
Presented by Going South and Lila Music, in collaboration with Shangri-La Glastonbury, the Azaadi stage is a radical, multi-sensory space where identity, melody, resistance, and liberation collide. Following the landmark success of 2024’s “Arrivals”, the first ever South Asian stage at Glastonbury, Azaadi emerges in 2025 as a bold new statement of intent: South Asian music isn’t just having a moment. It’s carving a future.
A Groundbreaking Lineup: Global Sounds, Local Roots
The Azaadi stage boasts an explosive lineup of legends and rising stars. Making his Glastonbury debut is the iconic Bally Sagoo, hailed as the godfather of South Asian DJ culture. The UK’s very own Panjabi Hit Squad will return to the decks fresh off their Boiler Room breakthrough, and Indian trailblazers Seedhe Maut, Kiss Nuka, and Rafiki bring live Hindi hip hop, Desi electronica, and South Asian techno direct from the subcontinent.
Also performing are Baalti, the NYC-based duo known for their genre-bending “brown electronic” live sets, adding a diasporic flavour rooted in both club culture and cultural commentary.
Radical, Queer, Euphoric
One of the most anticipated takeovers of the weekend comes from queer South Asian & SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) collectives Hungama and Nazar. Curated by cultural disruptor Ryan Lanji, this euphoric showcase will blend camp, chaos, and club energy, serving a soundscape that is part Berghain, part Bollywood dream sequence.
“This isn’t just a set, it’s a cultural takeover,” says Lanji. “It’s chaotic, it’s camp, it’s divine disruption.”
Meanwhile, cutting-edge collective Daytimers returns to Glastonbury to lead an epic Alterations takeover, spotlighting artists featured on their hotly anticipated compilation album.
A Space for Radical Freedom
More than a music stage, Azaadi meaning freedom in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, Persian, Pashto and more is a space for liberation in every form: sonic, cultural, gendered, and spiritual.
“This isn’t just a stage, it’s a statement,” says Vikram Gudi, Executive Director of the Azaadi Stage. “The creative force of South Asia is ancient, but its future is loud, proud, and permanent. Azaadi means freedom and we’re here to make sure South Asian creativity never has to ask for it again.”
That mission runs deep: Azaadi is not only a celebration, but also a training ground for the next generation of South Asian music creatives, producers, DJs, and festival professionals.
Bobby Friction, cultural commentator and founder of Going South, explains, “It’s important for a stage that’s all about representation to exist in a space that’s already revolutionary. Shangri-La understands this. The cry for freedom that Azaadi represents could only happen here.”
Immersive Design meets Wild Creativity
The venue itself, designed by Shangri-La’s visionary team, is part of Glastonbury 2025’s wider theme: The Wilding. Expect an immersive environment rooted in nature but refracted through a bold, poetic, South Asian lens. Think analogue meets subcontinental surrealism.
Kaye Dunnings, Creative Director of Shangri-La, shares: “We love creating new venues for Glastonbury, and this has been a brilliant addition. Azaadi offers a fully immersive experience for the massive audiences that will flock to it wild, meaningful, and rooted in freedom.”
A Movement, Not a Moment
Lila Music, a non-profit working to elevate South Asian music professionals, and Going South, a platform founded by Friction to challenge South Asian invisibility in UK music, are the powerhouses behind the Azaadi stage.
Together, they are ensuring that this is not a trend, but a lasting transformation.
As Bally Sagoo says, “I’ve toured the world for four decades but have never played Glastonbury! I hope everyone’s ready for nothing but Desi bangers, Bally Sagoo stylee!”
Glastonbury 2025’s Azaadi Stage isn’t just changing the sound of the festival; it’s changing the face of music. Be there for the revolution.
