ICONIC ON-STAGE STYLE MOMENTS THAT MADE FESTIVAL HISTORY

Festival season: it’s a sweaty fever dream – a place to lose your voice, your shoes and your sense of reality. And it’s also a chance for your favourite artists to don unforgettable looks that’ll be talked about for years to come. From Joni Mitchell (the OG of the boho aesthetic that you love today) to Oasis (who put adidas on the map), we’re diving into the best on-stage festival looks through the decades.

60-70s: BOHO BLUEPRINT

Festival lore begins here – Jimi brought music and fashion together in 1967, creating something flowing and free: a fringe-clad shirt and flares. And then in 1970 Joni took to the stage in a butter-yellow maxi and disc-belt combo. Fast forward to 2025, and echoes of Jimi and Joni can be seen on the runways of Chloé, Isabel Marant and Miu Miu, cementing the boho trend as this summer’s favourite aesthetic.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Similar: ASOS DESIGN 90s oversized linen blend shirt in ecru, £30
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80s: SUBVERTED STYLE

Freddie’s legendary 1985 Live Aid look was a move away from his 70s glam-rock era. He subverted the classic white vest and blue jeans look with a studded leather belt and armband referencing Queer-coded style and in turn, redefining masculinity on a global platform. Madonna matched this boundary-pushing energy with an oversized waistcoat and jacket combo, blurring the lines between traditional masculine and feminine clothing – something that's commonplace in 2025. 

 

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Similar: Boss Bodywear 3-pack ribbed logo vests in white, £45
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90s: ON THEIR TERMS

The 90s were a blur of football chants, oversized parkas and adidas trainers, one we can thank the Gallagher brothers for. Oasis stepped on stage in Britpop uniform – an anti-fashion statement that was accidentally iconic (and still seen today thanks to the endurance of terrace style). Another artist who did things their way? The forever iconic Missy Elliott, of course. Her look didn’t match the typical 90s it-girl aesthetic, and she played on this in the most extreme way possible – by stepping on stage looking like an inflatable black orb. Unforgettable.

 

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Similar: Topman lightweight ripstop parka jacket in khaki, £65
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00s: HIGH FASHION ON THE STAGE

The noughties were a time when glitter, sparkle and high-fashion choices were currency. David Bowie graced us with a floral jacket designed by Alexander McQueen in 2000, while Lady Gaga brought the drama with *that* disco-ball dress in 2009. Both looks made a case for fashion being just as much a part of the performance as the music – a turning point in on-stage looks.

 

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Similar: PS Paul Smith hooded jacket with flower print in beige, £300

10s: AESTHETIC AS IDENTITY

By the 2010s, artists weren’t just getting on stage, they were building their worlds through their style. Florence Welch donned her signature ethereal dresses and Tyler dialled up his IGOR aesthetic. We reached peak Coachella with Beyoncé’s custom-made Olivier Rousteing look referencing the Black Greek letter organisations founded in America. And Stormzy’s iconic Union Jack vest? It lit the internet on fire. Your fave artist’s personal style was no longer an afterthought; it was the message.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Similar: ASOS DESIGN linen blend slim suit trousers in sage green, £40
Similar: ASOS DESIGN linen blend slim suit jacket in sage green, £90

20s: ALBUM-CODED OUTFITS

This decade? It’s unhinged, but in the best way. From Kendrick Lamar's crown of thorns, which mirrors the album artwork of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, to the visual language of Harry's House leading to Harry Styles taking his pink feather boa and hot-pink trousers to Coachella, the 2020s is all about creating an album aesthetic that lives on through the stage. Just look at BLACKPINK – the K-pop group made pink their whole personality in 2023, while Rachel Chinouriri channelled Y2Khaotic at Leeds Festival. We can’t wait to see this new form of method dressing play out with this year’s most-anticipated headliners.

 

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