// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Charli XCX electrifies Reading Festival with era-spanning set
The British singer treated fans to hits from her latest albums and her back catalogue
Charli XCX has ushered in her next era with an electrifying headline set at Reading Festival which showcased hits from across her music career.
It marked the British singer's first UK festival performance since releasing her latest studio album - Music, Fashion, Film - which is a pivot from her culture-shaping, electronic-pop record Brat and features more of a rock edge.
But her Friday evening show highlighted the best of both, alongside fan favourite tracks from her back catalogue.
She also upped the production from her last Brat tour, with more elaborate staging, numerous costume changes, dramatic pyro and strobe lighting, and she was accompanied by a host of dancers and a live band.
Distorted, black-and-white videos of Charli kicked off the performance and featured throughout
Distorted, black-and-white videos of Charli kicked off the performance and the tens of thousands who had gathered at the main stage erupted as the chords were struck up to her new album's lead single, Rock Music.
After delivering punchy renditions of new tracks Wink Wink, Yeah and Card Declined, she stepped out to change from a black sparkly blazer into a black corseted dress.
The second act of the performance showcased the breadth of her work, as she moved from pop hit Track 10 from her 2017 mixtape, to the melancholic tones of House, which she co-wrote for the recent Wuthering Heights soundtrack album.
Those still craving her infectious dance tracks welcomed the singer later breaking out songs like Club Classics, 365 and the Grammy-winning Von Dutch from her sixth album Brat, which became a cultural phenomenon and propelled her to new heights in 2024.