Few festival bookings feel as all-encompassing as Gorillaz. With ‘The Mountain’, their chart-topping, globe-spanning ninth album, they’re still pushing into new territory, pulling together sounds, voices and ideas from just about everywhere. That same energy carries into their live show, a full-scale pop show packed with guests, visuals and a setlist that jumps between eras without warning. It’s less a gig, more a moving universe (and one where anything could happen at any moment). Former Dork cover stars, they remain the blueprint for doing things your own way.

There’s a reason Twenty One Pilots continue to headline festivals at this scale. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have built a universe that fans don’t just listen to but live inside of (lore knowledge optional, emotional investment mandatory). Blending alt-pop hooks with rap, rock and emotional storytelling, their shows are as cathartic as they are high-energy. Another Dork cover alumni, they bring a level of connection and scale that turns any field into something intimate and explosive all at once.

Lorde’s return to the stage always carries a sense of occasion. Now deep into the world of ‘Virgin’ - a record that’s already marked a bold new chapter and her very first UK Number 1 - she feels as vital as ever. Her ability to distil messy, coming-of-age emotions into sharp, resonant pop has long set her apart, and whether she’s leaning into the widescreen drama of ‘Melodrama’, the hazy introspection of ‘Solar Power’ or the direct, dynamic edge of her latest material, her sets unfold like shared emotional timelines: thousands of people feeling the exact same thing at once (and maybe texting someone they absolutely shouldn’t).

Confrontational and completely uncompromising, Ashnikko thrives in a festival setting. Fresh from ‘Smoochies’ - a maximalist, hyper-colour explosion of pop, rap and club chaos - they feel more fully realised than ever, leaning into a world that’s equal parts playful, grotesque and defiantly joyful. Their blend of hyperpop, punk attitude and razor-sharp lyricism is tailor-made for crowds ready to scream every word back (like it’s both a release and a warning). Another former Dork cover star, they embody the festival’s forward-facing energy as the kind of artist who doesn’t just ride trends but actively reshapes them.

There are few performers who understand the mechanics of a crowd quite like Robbie Williams. With a catalogue stacked full of cheeky, era-defining hits and a stage presence that borders on theatrical, his sets are built for singalongs on a massive scale. This year at BitterSweet, he'll be a reminder of just how powerful pop spectacle can be when it’s done right.

BitterSweet Festival will take place from 13th-15th August; visit bittersweetfestival.pl/en for more information.