Barry Can’t Swim is perhaps the polar opposite of a Marmite musician. He is widely beloved, extremely inoffensive, and critically acclaimed. The big three. His music is also inextricably linked to summer, with Clash Magazine declaring his 2025 LP Loner, "a gorgeous and varied album that will surely soundtrack countless summers.”
It makes total sense, then, that the Edinburgh-born DJ (real name Joshua Spence Mainne) would be top of the billing for a day of All Points East this year.
While Barry may be everyone’s cup of tea, he hasn’t always been lauded as a total barnstormer. In a Music Talkers review of his Kali Uchis remix Still Ridin’, they noted that it could work well in a rave or simply as “background music”.
On Friday night at All Points East, Mainne proved himself far beyond mere background music. Starting with The Person You’d Like To Be, the first track of his new album, the DJ made it very clear that he meant business. The siren-like intro washed over the crowd, followed by Mainne’s cultish vocals, establishing a confidence that let everyone know they were in for a ride. On stage, Mainne appeared in the centre of a series of horizontal and vertical lights, accompanied by a live band.
Keeping up the energy, Barry veered into more blissful tracks like Kimbara, Woman and Always Get Through To You. Colourful visuals of dancing silhouettes reminiscent of old iPod adverts lit up the crowd. The wholesomeness and joy were already palpable, only to be compounded when Mainne informed the crowd it’s a special occasion: not only was this his first major festival headline gig, it was also his birthday.
Two-thirds into Barry’s set, the whole thing went dark: a moment of confusion, the audience entirely in the palm of his hand, before How It Feels suddenly kicked in, the lights came on, and euphoria took over. It was the new songs that really established Barry as such an exciting performer, though. He followed with Still Riding and Different, the closest thing Mainne has to a Flight FM-esque bass-infused banger, bodies writhing along to the siren sounds and disjointed vocals.
Deadbeat Gospel and Sunseeker brought things to a roaring finish, eyes wide and faces glistening, before the crowd sang Barry happy birthday as a goodbye.
It was a perfect summary of a perfect crowd, and a perfect All Points East headline performance. The sound was good, the energy was high, background music was nowhere to be seen. If anyone told you they had a bad time, they’re lying.
All Points East continues; allpointseastfestival.com
