Soft Play Bring Out Kate Nash and Lead “Free Palestine” Chant at Reading 2025

At Reading 2025, Soft Play ignited the crowd with a powerful “Free Palestine” chant and a surprise appearance by Kate Nash during their unforgettable set.

A Fiery Performance Kicks Off Reading Festival

There’s something electrifying about the opening day of a festival — the air thick with anticipation, the crowd buzzing with energy, and the first band stepping on stage ready to make their mark. That’s exactly the vibe when Soft Play, formerly known as Slaves, took over the Chevron Stage at Reading Festival 2025. Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent didn’t just perform; they set the tone with unrelenting passion and political fire.

Their setlist was a blistering journey through punk anthems like ‘Act Violently’, ‘The Hunter’, and ‘Girl Fight’. But what really caught everyone’s attention was the powerful message they shared alongside their music.

A Bold Political Statement on Stage

Soft Play didn’t shy away from using their platform to speak out. Behind them, a Palestinian flag draped the amplifier stacks, and a striking message illuminated the backdrop:

“Israel is committing genocide, our government is complicit, use your voice, free Palestine.”

Isaac Holman boldly confronted the crowd, declaring:

“Fuck [Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin] Netanyahu. Free Palestine, it’s a fucking genocide.”

He then rallied the crowd into a chant: “Free, free Palestine,” inviting everyone to use their voice for a cause he clearly believes in.

Soft Play’s passionate political message took center stage

The duo also called out J.K. Rowling, presumably for her controversial views on transgender issues, and didn’t hold back on criticizing the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict by shouting “fuck you BBC,” making it clear they weren’t just there to entertain — they were there to provoke thought and action.

Navigating Festival Politics with Integrity

This isn’t the first time Soft Play has waded into complex political waters at festivals. Recently, they announced they'd still perform at Spain’s FIB Benicàssim festival despite its connections to investment firm KKR. The controversy? KKR has been criticized for alleged ties to Israeli weapons manufacturing amid the ongoing conflict.

The band explained their stance thoughtfully:

“Festivals belonging to Superstruct are independently run” with “no control” over who buys their umbrella company.

They added a crucial point:

“If we start boycotting every festival with ties to these kind of companies, we will de-platform ourselves and not have a stage to shout about the Palestinian people on.”

Their nuanced position reflects how artists today must balance activism with the realities of the industry — a tricky tightrope that Soft Play seems willing to navigate head-on.

Kate Nash Joins the Stage for a Special Moment

If the political statements weren’t enough, the crowd was treated to a surprise guest appearance by none other than Kate Nash. The two acts came together to perform ‘Slushy,’ a playful collaboration released earlier this year.

The song originally appeared on an expanded edition of Soft Play’s fourth album, ‘Heavy Jelly’, which dropped last summer.

Nash described their collaboration beautifully:
“Both of us, as lyricists and artists, are people that use our environments and where we’re from to tell stories.”

Laurie Vincent added:

“It’s the social observations, like the ‘cheese on toast‘ lyric in [Kate’s 2007 track] ‘Merry Happy.’ It’s the same with Isaac: he brings mundane objects into such sharp focus. It’s very British, I think.”

The chemistry on stage was unmistakable, blending nostalgic vibes with modern punk energy.

What’s Next for Soft Play?

Soft Play’s momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon. They’re slated to join Biffy Clyro on a massive UK and Ireland arena tour in 2026, a prospect that’s got fans buzzing with excitement. Plus, they’ve announced a reissue of their classic debut album, ‘Are You Satisfied?’, celebrating its tenth anniversary — a nostalgic nod to where it all began.

For those who caught their Reading set, it was clear that Soft Play are not just performers but outspoken voices in the punk scene, blending vibrant music with sharp political and social commentary.

Why Soft Play’s Reading Set Will Be Remembered

Between their explosive tracks, heartfelt collaboration with Kate Nash, and unapologetic activism, Soft Play made a statement at Reading 2025 that transcended music. Their performance was a reminder of punk’s roots — raw, real, and ready to challenge the status quo.

Will their boldness inspire more artists to use their platforms this way? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Soft Play’s voice will be heard loud and clear.

FAQ

• Who are Soft Play?
  Soft Play is a British punk duo formerly known as Slaves, consisting of Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent.
• What was the significance of the “Free Palestine” chant?
  It was a political statement highlighting support for Palestine amid ongoing conflicts, urging fans to raise awareness.
• Did Kate Nash collaborate with Soft Play before?
  Yes, they released a collaboration called ‘Slushy’ earlier in 2025, blending their distinct styles.
• Why is Soft Play performing at festivals linked to controversial firms?
  The band believes festivals are independently run and fears boycotting could silence their platform for activism.
• What upcoming tours and releases involve Soft Play?
  They will be joining Biffy Clyro on a UK and Ireland tour in 2026 and are reissuing their debut album ‘Are You Satisfied?’ to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

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