For a few charged days in July, music doesn’t just echo from the speakers at Electric Castle, it pulses through the ground, rises with the mist, and dances between raindrops. The 2025 edition of Romania’s most eclectic and atmospheric music festival brought ten of thousands to the iconic Banffy Castle, where history, hedonism, and hope meet on stage.

Between Wednesday and Saturday, the first four days of Electric Castle offered a visceral blend of legacy and rebellion. With rock, punk, house, techno, hip-hop, and soul sharing the spotlight, this wasn’t just a festival, it was a living, evolving celebration of what music means today.

Wednesday: Legends Open the Gates

The festival’s opening night struck a chord of nostalgia and reverence. Romanian rock veterans Iris kicked things off with a set that felt both intimate and stadium-sized. Celebrating over three decades of music, the band bridged generations with familiar anthems that saw parents and teenagers singing side by side. The refrain of the night: “Cât de bine sună Iris!” was not just a compliment but a collective realization: some legends never fade.

As night settled in, the atmosphere shifted with Yousuke Yukimatsu, a techno DJ whose story captivated the crowd almost as much as his music. After surviving aggressive cancer, his presence behind the decks was more than performance,it was testimony. His blend of breakbeat and deep techno kept the castle dancing into the early hours, proving resilience has rhythm.

Thursday: Thunder, Anticipation, and the Prince of Pop

All eyes turned to Thursday night, dubbed unofficially as “Justin Timberlake Day.” For many, this was the most anticipated moment of the festival and the weather nearly stole it. Heavy rain and wind delayed the show, pushing it dangerously close to cancellation. But as skies cleared and lights warmed the soaked grounds, Justin Timberlake stepped onto the main stage, transforming adversity into spectacle.

From Cry Me a River to Rock Your Body, Timberlake proved why he’s still the quintessential pop showman. Supported by a massive crew of dancers, musicians, and technicians, his debut Romanian concert was a mix of polished performance and spontaneous gratitude.
“This is my first time in Romania, I don’t know why it took me so long,” he told a crowd of tens of thousands who refused to let the rain dampen their energy.

The night belonged to him. But beyond the main stage, dance floors throbbed with acts like Jayda G, the Grammy-nominated house artist who turned midnight into a joyful trance, and Netsky b2b Nightmre, a rare collaboration that merged drum’n’bass with cinematic bass drops in a controlled sonic explosion.

Friday: Riffs, Revolution, and Raw Emotion

Friday brought a heavier, grittier energy to Electric Castle. On the main stage, Queens of the Stone Age returned to Romania to deliver a masterclass in what it means to be a rock band with staying power. Their latest album, In Times New Roman…, marked a return to the band’s stoner rock roots and their performance was equally unfiltered.

Frontman Josh Homme, speaking earlier at a press conference, shared a poignant message:
“You can fake being a rockstar. Many do. But that doesn’t mean you are one. You have to believe music is your mission.”
That mission was fulfilled in front of tens of thousands of fans who moshed, screamed, and lived every moment of the show.

Elsewhere, rock and punk fans were spoiled. The Hangar stage saw a fiery farewell from Refused, the legendary Swedish band playing their final Eastern European gig. Bad Nerves followed with an unapologetically raw garage rock set, while Irish act The Scratch debuted in Romania with a genre-bending performance that felt like a pub brawl in musical form.

Meanwhile, the festival’s heart continued to beat across genres and spaces. From the interactive Traitors experience inside the castle to stand-up comedy and wellness workshops in EC Village, the day was as immersive as it was intense.

Saturday: The New Voices Step Forward

If Friday was about legacy, Saturday was about what comes next. The third full day of Electric Castle belonged to the youth, and no one embodied that more than Yungblud. The British rocker, adored by Gen Z for his mix of punk, vulnerability, and boldness, exploded onto the main stage in a set that was equal parts therapy and chaos.

With themes touching on identity, politics, and mental health, his show was as emotionally charged as it was energetic. The crowd didn’t just watch they screamed along, cried, jumped, and let go.

Electronic legends Justice followed, proving they haven’t lost their edge. Their live visuals stunned as always, and tracks like D.A.N.C.E. and Genesis shook the very foundations of the castle. Closing the night with a triumphant set, they reminded everyone why they’re still at the top of the electro-house pyramid.

Earlier in the evening, Rudimental brought warmth and soul with their mix of drum’n’bass, funk, and pop-infused performance. Backed by live vocals and horns, their set was a celebration of connection, a welcome contrast to the raw fire of the night’s other headliners.

On the Romanian front, veterans Omul cu Șobolani unveiled “Evoluția de catifea,” a surprising new single in collaboration with Erika Isac, signaling a fresh direction for the band. Acts like Grasu XXL, Bosquito, and Mihail added even more dimension to a day that was all about contrast and evolution.

More Than a Festival

Beyond the stages, Electric Castle 2025 continued to offer the experiences that make it more than just a music event. From art installations and talks (featuring names like Victor Dorobanțu, the hand behind Thing in Wednesday), to photo ops “at the duck” (a new fan-favorite near the EC sign), the festival embraced every kind of fan, the dancer, the dreamer, the disruptor.

And while Sunday’s final performances still loom, the first four days have already left their mark.

Electric Castle isn’t just where music lives it’s where music transforms. Where a castle becomes a community. Where rain becomes part of the memory, and every drop feels like it belongs.

More information, daily schedules, and activity details are available on the official app and at www.electriccastle.ro.

Official EC Links

Instagram: @electriccastle – visually rich posts, reels, and updates from the festival grounds

Facebook: Electric Castle – event info, special announcements, and community engagement

X (formerly Twitter): @electric_castle – real-time alerts, set times, and quick festival news

YouTube: Electric Castle Festival channel – official aftermovies, live clips, and artist spotlight

Photosource: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricCastle

Share This