Against the sweeping backdrop of Wiston Estate in West Sussex, the Big Church Festival 2025once again brought together tens of thousands of worshippers for a weekend where music and faith collided under the summer sun.
While global names graced the main stage, two moments defined the weekend: the nostalgic reunion of Delirious? and the powerful emergence of a new generation of UK artists who are reshaping the sound of worship and faith-driven music.
The Delirious? mini reunion was nothing short of goosebump inducing. Martin Smith and Stu G return to the stage reignited the anthems that once carried a global movement of worship. While Smith played many of the big hits with his solo band, Stu G joined him as they took on “Rain Down” and “History Maker.” Fans sang every word, and for a few songs, time seemed to rewind to the era where their music was the lifeblood of modern worship.
But this year’s story wasn’t about looking back—it was about looking forward.
The Illuminate Stage became the heartbeat of the festival, spotlighting Britain’s rising voices who are unapologetically bringing faith, creativity, and authenticity into a new generation of British Christian music.
Fresh Fire: The New Faces of UK Christian Music
DC3
Northampton’s DC3—just 18 years old and already making waves—brought a fiery mix of hip-hop and gospel to the Illuminate Stage. With Zimbabwean roots and a voice that speaks directly to Gen Z, his set radiated boldness and conviction. The crowd vibed with his jazz-influenced beats and lyrics that carried weight beyond his years.
SAINTZ
From Manchester, SAINTZ turned the stage into a party of faith and joy. Their synth-driven set was pure dance-pop celebration, but with depth at its core. Performing their latest single Hope, Future, Destiny, the band reminded festivalgoers that faith isn’t just about survival, it’s about thriving. Their focus on mental health and resilience resonated with young audiences in a way that felt timely and vital.
Ben Haydn
A rapper, beatboxer, and spoken-word poet from Manchester, Ben Haydn (also known as HAYDN) brought the weekend’s most unexpected set. One moment the crowd was hanging on every syllable of his stripped-down spoken word, and the next, they were bouncing to his hip-hop and trap-inspired beats. That blend of depth and energy gave his set a rare intimacy that stood out amidst the noise.
ANTIDOTE.
The collective known as ANTIDOTE. brought undeniable energy to the festival. With their hard-hitting rhymes and infectious hooks, their set felt like both a party and a proclamation. Their name couldn’t be more fitting, music as medicine, hope as rhythm.
The 2025 Big Church Festival reminded us where we’ve been and showed us where we’re going. Delirious? gave us nostalgia and a reminder of worship’s global impact. But the Illuminate Stage proved that the UK’s Christian music scene isn’t just surviving, it’s innovating, diversifying, and thriving. DC3, SAINTZ, Ben Haydn, and ANTIDOTE are shaping the future of what worship and Christian music can sound like from across the pond: bold, creative, real, and deeply relevant.