SMR25 Festival – Saturday, May 24, 2025 – The Lamex Stadium

SMR25 Festival – Saturday, May 24, 2025 – The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage
Lineup & Performances: Day two of SMR25 delivered an afternoon-to-night lineup of chart-topping pop and dance acts. Local singer-songwriter Eirra (from nearby Hitchin) kicked things off with an engaging set of catchy indie-pop (as billed by organizers). Next up, veteran dance-pop producer Sigala energized the crowd with his uplifting grooves – fans cheered as he spun his familiar hits (including his UK No.1 “Easy Love”) and brought a feel-good festival vibe. Rounding out the early evening, soul-pop star JP Cooper delivered his signature ballads (fans sang along to songs like “Perfect Strangers” and “September Song”), showcasing his range with heartfelt vocals. Finally, Ella Henderson headlined the night with a set of pop anthems. The BRIT-nominated singer (best known for her No.1 hit “Ghost” and other collaborations) treated the crowd to a sweeping collection of her hits and recent singles. The sequence of acts flowed smoothly on schedule: gates opened in the late afternoon and each act took the stage at its announced time (roughly 5pm Eirra, 6pm Sigala, 7:30pm JP Cooper, and 9pm Henderson), keeping the evening running punctually until closing around 10:30pm. According to SMR organizers, this pop-centric lineup was designed to bring “feel‑good summer pop music” to Stevenage, and by all accounts Saturday’s show delivered exactly that.

Atmosphere & Engagement: The crowd of nearly 10,000 people filled the stadium to capacity, creating an electric, festival atmosphere. Under a clear spring sky, fans danced and sang along throughout the evening – Sigala’s dance-floor hits had people on their feet, while Ella Henderson’s powerful vocals drew loud singalongs during ballads. Many attendees praised the “vibes” as being “next level”, with positive energy radiating across the pitch and stands (indeed, local media noted Stevenage FC’s celebration of its “first-ever live music event” at the stadium). Families and younger fans also populated the crowd, reflecting the diverse pop lineup. Overall the audience was described as enthusiastic and engaged: people clapped in time, waved their arms during major singalong moments, and cheered loudly at each headliner. Even afterwards, fans commented that the quality of acts and overall experience felt like good value for the ticket price (a sentiment echoed on social media by several attendees).

Food, Drink & Vendors: Festivalgoers had ample catering choices. The SMR25 Food Village featured a mix of vendors offering everything from traditional stadium fare to street food, ensuring options for different tastes. Attendees reported being able to grab classic burgers, chips, pies and similar festival staples (at reasonable prices), alongside international and vegetarian options. (Organizers had promoted a dedicated food area in advance, so a variety of cuisines was expected.) Drink stands around the stadium dispensed soft drinks, beer and alcoholic refreshments throughout the day. According to reviews of the venue, the Lamex’s normal concessions (burgers, pies, etc.) are known to be tasty and fairly priced, and that held true for the event – no widespread complaints about steep festival pricing emerged. The onsite staff (stall servers and bar staff alike) were generally described as friendly and welcoming, making purchases quick and hassle-free.

Accessibility and facilities were also notable. The Lamex Stadium has worked to improve disabled access in recent years. There were dozens of accessible toilets and 290+ easy-access seats available, plus amenities like hearing loops and even a sensory room per the stadium guide. Wheelchair viewing areas gave a clear line-of-sight to the main stage. In general the facilities were clean and well-maintained (fans specifically mentioned that the restrooms were kept tidy). Stalls and food areas were spread out around the concourse to avoid long lines, and the layout allowed most fans to easily find refreshments and relax between sets.

Event Organization: SMR25’s logistics earned largely positive feedback. Entry gates opened on time in the mid-afternoon, and security checks proceeded efficiently. Attendees noted that walking into the venue was straightforward – the stadium’s location (just off the A1(M) motorway and near several train and bus routes) made arrival easy. In fact, local reports touted SMR25 as the first-ever music festival at the Lamex Stadium, and the organizers leveraged Stevenage’s good transport links (27 minutes from London by train) to encourage high turnout. On-site parking (including a free lot opposite the stadium) also helped, as one visitor recalled a very short walk from parking to the entrance. The schedule kept to plan: after each set, crew quickly changed equipment and the next artist started at or near the announced time. Security and staff were visible but unobtrusive; numerous comments noted that stewards and ushers were friendly, directing guests politely (the Football Ground Guide has even praised the Lamex for having “some of the friendliest and most welcoming stewards and staff”). Overall, there were no major hiccups reported – lines moved at concession stands, stage sound checked well (no major technical delays were noted by fans), and information points helped people find amenities. This smooth run mirrored the organizers’ intentions: Stevenage FC’s director had described SMR25 as a “fantastic new music event” set to connect with the community, and the two-day spectacle appeared well-managed in practice.

Impressions & Memorable Moments: From the perspective of attendees, Saturday at SMR25 was a milestone day for Stevenage’s live music scene. Many fans remarked on the thrill of seeing The Lamex Stadium transformed into a concert arena for the first time. Standout moments included Sigala inviting the crowd to sing every line of “Easy Love,” JP Cooper bringing an intimate vibe with his soulful delivery, and Ella Henderson closing the night by belting out big choruses with a massive smile – many audience members noted the sense of community when thousands sang in unison. The friendly, celebratory atmosphere (captured in local reports and social posts) made the event feel like more than just a concert: it felt like a true festival. As Stevenage FC’s Stuart Dinsey put it, SMR25 helped “strengthen our connection with the local community” – and indeed, festival-goers left buzzing about having witnessed Stevenage’s first major live-music weekend.