Review of the Year 2025

Clara Amfo looks back over the musical stories and highlights of the year with a mix of global stars, breakthrough artists and some of the biggest moments in music of the last 12 months.

This year’s show features some of the standout performances of 2025, including Mercury Prize winner Sam Fender and breakout star Lola Young at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool’s Sefton Park, Lewis Capaldi with his surprise slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, and chart record breaker Olivia Dean on Later... with Jools Holland.

Plus a look at some of the stories of the year, from women taking over the headline slots at music festivals, with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan topping the bill at Glastonbury and Reading Festival respectively, to exploring some of the artists who made a return, including Oasis, Radiohead and Lily Allen.

Also talking about their 2025 are legend Jarvis Cocker, who reflects on his band Pulp making a return after 24 years, and US rising stars Ravyn Lenae and Alex Warren, who reflect on having two of the biggest-selling songs of the year.