Louis Tomlinson celebrated the fifth anniversary of his annual Away From Home Festival (AFHF) by bringing the event to the United States for the very first time. Making history as its first-ever two-day span, AFHF 2025 took place on October 4th and 5th at the scenic Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York.
This location, nestled in the picturesque fields of upstate New York, proved to be a true gem.
The stage was perfectly positioned by the brewery site, with rolling fields and a forest dressed in full autumn colors, creating a truly magical and intimate atmosphere for the weekend. For the first time, fans in the US could take advantage of on-site camping at Brewery Ommegang; this option included some activities, such as a silent disco and other immersive festival fun!
Louis Tomlinson is not just the host and headliner; he is the curator who founded AFHF as a true music fan. Each year, he hand-selects a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists. And expanding the festival to two days allowed attendees to fully immerse themselves like never before.
This year’s lineup was headlined by Lauv and founder Louis Tomlinson, with a range of acts throughout Saturday and Sunday: Steve Aoki, Plain White T’s, Daya, Pale Waves, Circa Waves, Dirty Blonde, Double Standard, Florence Road, Isaac Anderson, and Michael Blackwell.
Zach Sang, widely known for his popular celebrity interview show, was a special addition to the lineup as a guest DJ. His set helped bridge the gap between main acts and was praised for keeping the energy high with an eclectic mix that included classic One Direction tracks blending seamlessly with the solo work of the band members.
Since his One Direction times, Louis has cultivated a famously supportive and inclusive fanbase, which defines the atmosphere of his shows and the festival. Every artist who takes the stage at AFHF benefits from this special, welcoming energy, making it an excellent experience for both established and opening acts.
Louis Tomlinson even joined Steve Aoki on stage for a rare, electric performance of their 2016 hit, “Just Hold On”. This marked the first time the song had been performed live by the duo since its release.
Shortly after that, Aoki launched 12 sheet cakes into the crowd.
Being grateful to his fans Louis also did several surprise songs during his headlining performance. The setlist not only included all the fan-favorites (such as “Lucky Again”, “Saturdays”, and “Just Hold On” a cappella-style, he also presented his fresh single, “Lemonade” along with the unreleased track “Palaces” (a likely preview of his upcoming album, How Did We Get Here?).
But the biggest shock of the weekend was when Tomlinson delivered the beloved One Direction track “No Control” — a moment many believed they would never see Louis perform solo!
The Away From Home Festival has been traveling the world since its founding in 2021 as a free event in London, created to celebrate the return of live music after the pandemic. This year’s US edition marks a marvelous turning point for the touring event, after previous stops in Spain, Italy, and Mexico.
This was a spectacular celebration.
It was a perfect fall weekend for every music fan. Louis Tomlinson’s festival successfully combined high-energy music with the cozy, picturesque atmosphere of autumnal New York (beautiful, to say the least!!). It was, quite simply, a magical, two-day escape defined by great tunes and gorgeous views.
Photography by Rory Barnes
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