It’s rare — and long overdue — to see three women lead the main stage of a major music festival. But at Primavera Sound 2025 in Barcelona, the lineup made it clear: this isn't a token effort. It’s the future.
Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan headlined this year’s festival — dubbed by fans as the "PowerPuff Girls of Pop" — creating one of the most anticipated and talked-about Primavera lineups in years. As Alana Haim put it during her set: “Every single time we play Primavera Sound, y’all show the f*ck up.” This year, that sentiment rang especially true.
Behind the star-studded lineup was a mix of strategy, commitment, and passion. Marta Pallarès, head of press and corporate relations at Primavera Sound, told Teen Vogue the vision had been in motion since 2024. Charli XCX had performed on the Amazon Music stage last year before releasing her album brat, and the festival team had always intended to bring her back to wrap up her brat era in grand fashion.
Sabrina Carpenter, according to Pallarès, was a “no-brainer” to add. “She’s quirky, a pop diva, fun, incredibly talented, and smart — everything that fits with Primavera,” she said.
But the final piece of the trio — Chappell Roan — took some persistence. “Our team said, ‘We need her. Do whatever it takes,’” Pallarès shared. “In the end, it wasn’t Norway, but London. Two of our bookers flew out, told her we already had Charli and Sabrina, and said, ‘You have to be there.’ She said yes.”
That dedication reflects a broader mission for Primavera. In 2018, the festival made a public pledge to book gender-balanced lineups. Unlike many festivals that treat diversity as a short-term PR move, Primavera set out to prove it could be done consistently — and successfully.
“This shouldn’t be difficult,” Pallarès said. “You can deliver the best lineups and sell out your festival — every year.”
Each headliner brought something uniquely electric to the stage. Charli XCX debuted the European leg of her high-energy SWEAT tour with guest Troye Sivan (on his 30th birthday) and a surprise dance moment with Chappell Roan. Carpenter followed with a dazzling new show and the first-ever live performance of her single “Manchild.” Roan, wrapping up the trio’s headlining slots, turned the stage into a fantasy castle for her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things tour. She even debuted a new song, “The Subway,” and powered through a group dance workout to “Hot To Go!”
Beyond the headliners, the festival lineup was packed with standout women artists. FKA Twigs, HAIM, Judeline, beabadoobee, and more pulled large early-day crowds despite the sweltering Barcelona sun. Pallarès emphasized Primavera’s unique format — they don’t announce lineups in waves, instead presenting a fully curated program where even the smaller-print acts play a key role.
The festival’s structure itself sets it apart. Primavera features dual main stages side-by-side, minimizing wait times and maximizing artist visibility. “From a fan experience, it’s incredible,” said Mish Mayer, head of video studios at Amazon Music, which livestreamed the event for global audiences. “It’s nonstop music, and every stage is packed with talent.”
The festival’s discovery ethos shone through with rising artists like Spanish pop star Amaia, who performed with a live orchestra, and CMAT, who delivered one of the most energetic shows on the Cupra stage. Claire Imoucha, head of Amazon Music Spain, said, “This is one of the few festivals in the world that really balances global stars with exciting, emerging talent.”
For many performers, Primavera is more than a gig — it’s a turning point. Charli XCX, Rosalía, and others climbed from smaller stages to headline spots in just a few years. That legacy is part of what makes Primavera special.
Since its founding, Primavera has aimed to bring the artists people wish they could see in Barcelona — from Sonic Youth and Pixies in the early days to today’s pop vanguard. But it's not just about the music.
“We care deeply about everything that surrounds it — gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, building a space where people feel free and joyful,” Pallarès said. “We want the festival to be a kind of utopia. Not one that’s impossible, but one that shows what society could be — even just for a few days.”
That vision drew nearly 300,000 attendees from 136 countries in 2025, all gathering for music, connection, and a glimpse of what a more inclusive industry looks like — led, this year, by three women making pop history.
