Unleashing Dark Magic: How Chappell Roan Dominated Reading Festival 2025 with a Gothic Twist That Left Everyone Spellbound

Ever wonder what it’s like when gothic fairy tales collide with a rock festival stage? Picture this: Chappell Roan, already a wizard at theatrical flair—from prosthetic pig noses to Statue of Liberty headpieces—decides to unleash her darkest, most spellbinding looks yet at Reading Festival 2025. I mean, who else could transform a stage into an abandoned castle, make a bat-wing fascinator feel like haute couture, and command attention like the ultimate Disney villain we secretly all cheer for? It’s like watching a live-action shadow play where every fabric swirl and crystal glint tells a story. If you think festival style is just about the usual boho vibes, think again—Chappell’s set was a masterclass in moody drama mixed with pop spectacle, where costumes weren’t just worn; they were weaponized. Ready to dive into the spellbinding details of this gothic glam takeover? LEARN MORE

From prosthetic pig noses to full-on Statue of Liberty transformations, Chappell Roan is no stranger to a theatrical look. But her lineup of gothic fairytale ensembles at Reading Festival 2025 might just be some of her best ones yet.

The first sounds introducing Chappell Roan’s Reading Festival set didn’t come from the artist herself, but rather from the score of a haunting film. The notes played to let viewers know that a villain was about to make their entrance. Then, a band made its way to the stage—which was turned into an abandoned gothic castle for the evening—with the musicians finding their positions as green flashes illuminated the set and a storybook opened behind them on screen.

Finally, the score turned into the opening of “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and a cloud of smoke dissipated, revealing the Midwestern pop queen herself, dressed in a black veil and bat-wing fascinator (yes, a bat fascinator). It was part Beauty and the Beast, part Maleficent, and 100 percent Chappell.

The look, styled by Roan’ longtime creative director Genesis Webb, was designed by the costume design duo Alexander Cole and James Nguyen, who frequently work on the Roan team. After several butterfly and fairy looks they crafted for the star, they turned to dark hues, experimenting with a medley of burgundy and black in taffeta, velvet, and crystal. (No more pink cowboy hats here.)

Playing into the goth vampire trend of the moment while extracting from a period-appropriate silhouette, Roan layered a long skirt over a gold-embellished bodysuit. Over it, a jacket, designed with leg of mutton sleeves and structural shoulders fit for armor, brought the drama. A belt featuring two hands clasped together, cinched the look at the waist; and on her own hands, Roan wore theatrical Wing & Weft gloves with long nails. The ensemble was almost too detailed for a crowd that size.

Throughout her performance, Roan transitioned from “Casual,” to her latest single, “The Subway,” to “HOT TO GO!” dance break, to her country hit “The Giver;” and all the while her look evolved. She lost the fascinator, then the belt, and ultimately stripped down to a matching scalloped bra and high-waisted underwear, showcasing knee-high boots and long opera gloves. Her glam was just as intentional and striking: purple-and-red eyeshadow, angular brows, dark lips, and perfectly curled locks in her signature red.

She’s the Disney villain we are all rooting for.