As the sun dipped behind the Gloucestershire horizon, Good Times On The Pitch saved its biggest moments for last. The final day of live music saw the festival dial things up to eleven, serving up a double dose of pop prestige in the form of two iconic artists whose combined global sales exceed 17 million. The atmosphere was jubilant, the field awash with anticipation — and the talent did not disappoint.
Bristol’s Rising Star: EL01SE
The evening began on a local note with young Bristol singer-songwriter EL01SE, who stepped onto the main stage with a refreshing blend of vulnerability and charisma. Known across the Bristol circuit for appearances at The Fleece and the JamJar, this marked her biggest show to date — a fact she acknowledged with wide-eyed gratitude. But any nerves were fleeting. Her performance, rooted in a multi-genre palette and driven by a sincere lyrical openness, quickly won over the crowd.
There’s something quietly compelling about EL01SE. Her songs seem to disarm the listener, and her youthful sincerity found easy rapport with an audience that was steadily swelling. A star in the making, hers is a voice Bristol – and beyond – will be hearing much more of.
Picnics, Harmonies, and Inflatable Sword Fights
As the early evening breeze carried laughter and chatter across a patchwork of picnic rugs, inflatable loungers, and clinking glasses, the vibe remained quintessentially Good Times. It’s this laid-back spirit that’s defined the festival’s character — more village fête than high-gloss weekender, but with a lineup to rival any major event.
Next up were Upfront & Casual, a dapper male harmony group whose sartorial elegance was matched only by their vocal finesse. Dressed to impress and harmonising with effortless precision, the quintet delivered slick, feel-good reinterpretations of party anthems like “Sweet Caroline” and “Mr. Brightside”. The field transformed into a joyous dance floor, inflatable purple clappers doubling as makeshift swords in mock battles that captured the festival’s playful energy.
Natalie Imbruglia: Golden Hour Pop Perfection
As the sun began to set, the stage lights burst into life and Natalie Imbruglia emerged, arms aloft, bathed in the kind of golden glow you’d think only a lighting designer could dream up. Opening with “What It Feels Like” from her 2021 comeback album Firebird, Imbruglia wasted no time reasserting her place as one of pop’s most distinctive voices.
It wasn’t long before she dove into the hits that made her a household name, including “Wishing I Was There” and “One More Addiction” from her global smash debut Left of the Middle. With each note, she reminded the crowd why that album sold over seven million copies and cemented her as a transatlantic sensation.
Her performance of “Shiver” was particularly spellbinding — tender, poised, and spine-tingling — while the inclusion of deeper cuts like “Smoke” and “Impressed” made for a setlist that honoured both casual fans and longtime devotees.
But it was “Torn”, of course, that brought the house down. Phones were raised, voices lifted, and for those few minutes, Chipping Sodbury was the epicentre of the pop universe. Watching Natalie Imbruglia deliver that era-defining anthem against a backdrop of sunset and song felt almost dreamlike — a moment to be bottled and treasured.
Will Young: A Masterclass in Pop Showmanship
And then, it was time. With a career that spans more than two decades and accolades too numerous to list, Will Young closed out Good Times 2025 in a style only he could deliver. His arrival on stage was met with a roar of recognition and joy, and from the first note, it was clear the Pop Idol alumnus had lost none of the charm or vocal finesse that made him a star back in 2002.
From the soaring emotion of “All Time Love” to his evergreen take on “Light My Fire”, Young kept the energy high and the audience in full voice. Ever the raconteur, he peppered his set with witty anecdotes and even danced with a life-size cardboard cutout of himself, handed up from the crowd. It was surreal, hilarious, and entirely fitting.
A surprise cover of Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels” added a touch of ‘80s magic and had the over-40s in particular reliving youthful memories, arms aloft and lyrics remembered.
A Finale to Remember
As the final notes of “Evergreen” rang out, it wasn’t just the end of Will’s set — it was the curtain call on five days of unforgettable live music. If this year’s festival proved anything, it’s that Good Times On The Pitch has become more than just a local event. With a lineup that effortlessly balances grassroots talent and international pop royalty, it’s now a serious player in the UK’s summer music calendar.
And in the fading light, as crowds reluctantly drifted toward the exits, one sentiment lingered: this may have been the end of the festival — but for many, it felt like the beginning of something even bigger.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
