Biffy Clyro

BBC Introducing stage announced plus many more for Reading & Leeds Festival

by

BBC INTRODUCING STAGE

One of Huw Stephens’ BBC Introducing Discovery tips, Amber are five guys from Nottingham and London. Their first original song ‘Noah’ is described by Huw Stephens as “a glorious summer tune” and where better to watch it than at Reading & Leeds this August.
 
 
Indie-pop band As Elephants Are hail from High Wycombe and have been making music together since 2011. The band have enjoyed success with their debut single ‘War Cry’ which has received plays from national stations and DJ Mary Anne Hobbs. Their latest offering ‘Youth Blood/Lucifer’ gives more of a taste of their innovative indie-rock.
 
Big Wave are an indie-pop five-piece from Torquay who have recently released their new single 'Goldmine' through Art is Hard Records and have previously performed with bands including Metronomy. Their sunshine-rock style will make for the perfect summer time festival set.
 
Casablanca have received support from Huw Stephens who is a big fan of the London indie band. With comparisons to Bombay Bicycle Club, Cajun Dance Party and Theme Park expect good things from this four-piece when they take to the stage.
 
The melodic Welsh-based indie four-piece Catfish and the Bottlemen are signed to Communion Records. 2013 has seen the band support The 1975 on their UK tour and they will also join Glasvegas on their UK tour date.
 
Securing their place through Futuresound’s competition City of Lights aim to create their own brand of honest rock-pop that will ignite and engage feelings, thoughts & emotions. Meshing the song-writing aptitude of Biffy Clyro with the melodic mastery of UK big guns Snow Patrol and the heart and drive of Thrice, City Of Lights adeptly glide along the tight-rope of having an accessible sound with true longevity.
 
Glasgow based Crusades offer up a big dose of post hardcore, high speed riffs on their recent debut EP ‘Golden Throats’, released to received rave reviews and gaining air play on BBC Radio 1.
 
19 year old East London singer-songwriter Denai Moore only picked up a guitar two years ago but already counts Plan B and Tom Odell amongst her fans. Her debut EP ‘Saudade’ is out now featuring her haunting vocals and soothing mix of folk and soul.
 
Futuresound competition runners-up Glass Caves are building a feverish and faithful following throughout the North of England shifting thousands of their self-released ‘Glass Caves’ EP as well as selling out notable venues across their home county.  The underground buzz spilt over to the masses in April 2013 when BBC Introducing gave the band their coveted BBC Radio 1 Playlist slot.
 
Transatlantic alternative pop trio The Grand formed in 2010. The brooding Wakefield indie rockers come on sounding like Nick Cave wrestling with The National, an attractive proposition that has seen them championed by BBC Radio 6 Music. Their first single ‘Romance Is Dead’ was released in Sept 2012 and the band are currently working on material for their debut album, expected in 2014.
 
Up-and-coming Exeter five-piece I Divide exploded onto the rock scene in 2011 with their debut album ‘What’s Worth More’. They have since toured with Funeral For a Friend, won the 'Best Rock Act' Award at the 2012 South Wales Music Awards and bring their raw energy to Reading & Leeds this Bank Holiday weekend.
 
Four-piece Jaws are quickly making a name for themselves in the West Midlands, performing alongside fellow Birmingham bands Peace and Swim Deep. As well as having a critically acclaimed vinyl-only EP ‘Milkshake’ under their belt, they now have a new single ‘Gold’ due for release at the end of the July. Keep an eye out for their catchy garage pop on the stage this year.
 
Nottingham born songsmith Joel Baker burst onto the scene via the internet with his spellbinding covers including Kanye West and Maverick Sabre. Now stepping out with his own politically minded tunes, he is set for big things.
 
King No-One were crowned the winners at the recent Martin House Centre Stage final having beaten 10 other strong finalists from the West and North Yorkshire areas. Encompassing smooth chilled melodic vibes right through to raw expressive rock, the band are becoming well known in their home town of York for gathering huge crowds whilst busking.
 
In their relatively short existence, Lonely The Brave have performed live at Maida Vale Studios for Dan P Carter's BBC Radio 1 Rock Show and received plaudits from major music titles. Their debut album ‘The Day’s War’ has been a year in the making and with a new member, the band are set to make their mark this year. 
 
Alternative-folk-rock quartet Man Can’t Fly create emotive sounds and memorable hooks. Despite only forming a year ago, the Bradford band have already self-released their debut single ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ which has received numerous plays on BBC Radio 1.
 
Influenced by artists as diverse as Phoenix, Talking Heads and Kanye West, Newcastle’s Mausi bring plenty of energy and a dose of pop with their invigorating live performances. The quartet features siblings Daisy and Thomas Finetto who bring their feel-good vocals and danceable tunes, guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
 
 
Modo Stare is the project of Jon Headley, a musician, writer and producer from the UK and the group won their place on the stage through the Futuresound competition. Their music is built around a blend of old and new, electronic and acoustic, synthetic and organic; mixing 100-year old harmoniums with sparkling synthesizers, out-of- tune pianos with growling bass synths, and antique cuckoo clocks with distorted drum loops.  The project’s debut full-length album ‘This Is How We Know What Love Is’, is almost finished and will be out soon
 
Five-piece Peasants King from South Wales, had their song 'Antidotes' selected as the 'Introducing Track of The Week' – gaining praise from Fearne Cotton, Greg James, Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens. Comparisons have been made to Kings of Leon and Vampire Weekend, so be sure to check them out.
 
Scottish trio Prides are making a name for themselves with their synthpop. Built on the foundations of previous band Midnight Lion, the introduction of a third member Callum has ignited them to a new level in 2013. The band are signed to Island records and have just released their single 'Out of The Blue’, so watch this space.
 
Ruen Brothers are monochrome-clad brothers Rupert and Henry Stansall from Scunthorpe, who share a fascination with the early to mid-1960’s that has set the music industry buzzing since Zane Lowe played their track ‘Aces’ earlier this year. Their sound has been compared to Roy Orbison, but their elaborate melodies and natural swagger are quickly earning them fans in their own right. 
 
Hailing from Nottingham, 17 year old singer Saint Raymond is often described as the next Jake Bugg. A stratospheric rise is surely imminent, much like his debut EP ‘Escapade’ which rose up the iTunes chart following a release on Gabrielle Aplin’s label Never Fade.
 
Kent two-piece Slaves have gained a fearsome live reputation with their political punk. Taking their influences from punk behemoths UK Subs, Crass and Refused, their in-your-face songs have caught the attention of the industry with The Fly describing them simply as “brilliant”.
 
The four young members of Sundara Karma all come from Reading and claim that their indie-infused sound is “more refreshing than sunshine”. Shimmering indie escapism showcased in their debut single ‘Freshblood’ mixes percussive tropical beats with intoxicating sounds of the summer.   
 
Four-piece alternative rock band Theory 59 from Cleethorpes are now a step closer to stardom after their latest single ‘Through The Lies Comes Clarity’ was added to the BBC Radio 1 playlist. With a full length album in the works and a UK tour in their sights, their passionate and energetic offering is set to make its mark on the rock scene sooner than you think.
 
London-based Thumpers have been playing music together since the age of 15 and, having previously been in Pull Tiger Tail, they have reemerged as an alternative pop duo. They have a big emphasis on rhythm with booming drums taking the leading role and will get the crowds moving at the Festivals this year.
 
Producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Frank Pescod initially made a name for himself creating scores for brands, TV shows and films. Now writing under the moniker To Be Frank, his four-track EP 'Nothing' was recently released via Solebay Music to critical acclaim.
 
Counting Tame Impala as fans, Tripwires will arrive at Reading & Leeds fresh from supporting the band in Switzerland. Their Festival shows will give them the chance to bring their nineties indie sounds to hometown fans in Reading and a brand new audience in Leeds.
 
Since forming their current line-up in 2010, Peterborough quintet We Are Fiction have been performing their unique blend of modern alternative rock to an ever growing passionate fan base across the country. Passion, love and energy are three things you can expect from their shows and music, with many describing them as a heartfelt, captivating and emotive band who possess a unique stage presence and sound.
 
Having cut their teeth on the underground circuit, We Are Knuckle Dragger are a trio hell-bent on unleashing their music to the masses. They have released two EPs, enjoyed support from Dan P Carter on BBC Radio 1 and have recently completed a tour with the Dillinger Escape Plan.
 
Leeds based duo Louisa Osborn and Chris Mulligan are signed to Dead Young Records and have a spark of the black magic which has seen them much talked about on the thriving West Yorkshire music scene. Since their sold out debut launch,Witch Hunt have wowed audiences alongside Wolf Alice, Veronica Falls and at festivals including Live at Leeds and Tramlines; they are runners up in this year’s Futuresound competition.
 
Tipped as one of the UK’s most outstanding up-and-coming independent musicians and producers, Zaheer has already received support from a range of stations including BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Radio 6 Music. His creativity and disregard for clichéd musical conventions mean he is catching the attention of the music industry, expect big things from him.
 
DANCE TO THE RADIO STAGE AT LEEDS
 
Leeds Festival welcome the return of the influential and innovative Leeds-based record label Dance To The Radio who will be taking over the BBC Introducing Stage on Thursday 22nd August and kicking off the weekend at Leeds in style with the following live bands:
 
Formed in 2010 out of the ashes of a Leeds-based rock band, Black Moth were seduced by the brutal and hypnotic lure of the riff, to emerge translucent, skinned and bleary eyed from their cocoon as a ferocious kick-ass heavy rock outfit.
 
Sheffield’s The Crookes are a four-piece at the forefront of the nascent new pop movement in the UK guitar scene. Set to release their second LP on legendary indie label Fierce Panda this summer and with a cult following already in the bag, be sure to see them for a dance on Thursday night in Leeds.
 
Manchester’s finest Dutch Uncles are a group who have pitched their tents firmly in pop’s left-field with crashing guitars, electronic dueling xylophones, and lead singer Duncan Wallis' eye-popping dance moves.
 
Leeds five-piece Hookworms are often bracketed among the latest wave of psychedelic rock. By only using their initials to avoid any form of ‘celebrity status’ adds to the mystery of the band’s deep, emotive lyrics involving attempted suicide and depression.
 
Leeds’ Menace Beach is the project of members of existing local bands with Rob from Pulled Apart By Horses, Nestor from Sky Larkin and Matt from Hookworms. Their hazy grunge songs have seen comparisons with Splashh and Swim Deep.
 
NEW ADDITIONS ACROSS THE REST OF THE FESTIVAL
 
NME / RADIO 1 STAGE
 
READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH  
 
Childhood have supported Palma Violets and have been compared to Stone Roses, House of Love and Primal Scream. The ‘fresh-faced’ band are renowned for evoking a feeling of heady joy, if not drug-induced euphoria – a cocky young bunch of lads who have come to shake things up.
 
BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE
 
READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH
 
Named after a Nigerian state capital, Benin City is Theo Buckingham, Tom Leaper and Joshua Idehen from London. They have gained fans, as well as accolades, for their energetic live performances and have supported Soweto Kinch, VV Brown, Moko and Youngblood Brass band. Album ‘Fires In The Park’ is out now and has been described as ‘a sultry piece of afro dub blues’ in recent reviews.
 
READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD 
 
Bipolar Sunshine is the solo project of Manchester singer/songwriter Adio Marchant, a recent collaboration with Rudimental saw them run an experiment to create and produce a single in 24 hours and perform it in front of an audience. They succeeded! His debut EP ‘Aesthetics’ has received great reviews and single ‘Rivers’ was recently iTunes’ ‘Single of the Week’.
 
Stay Positive is a London based producer and classically trained violinist who just released his latest EP ‘Blood Brother’ via Stay Positive Industries, which sees a perfectly arranged composition in minimal techno.
 
Aussie duo Parachute Youth cite their influences as Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, The Cure and The Stone Roses, but their sound is completely modern and goosebump inducing. In their own words, “we're only a two piece but we make a lot of noise.
 
LOCK UP STAGE
 
READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH  
 
Decade are an alternative rock / post-hardcore band from Bath, formally known as Ready Set Low.  They have supported the likes of Forever The Sickest Kids, D.R.U.G.S and Set Your Goals and have been locked away of late, hard at work making their album, watch this space!
 
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
 
READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH
 
Brighton-based band The Wytches have had their music descried as “a cynical, dark and flowery take on psychedelia, 1950’s surf riffs, desert whips, loungey, melancholic shuffles with a stage performance that puts you under.”
 
READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD 
 
Overall winners at the recent Futuresound competition final in Leeds, where 60 regional bands compete to win a coveted spot to play at the festivals, were Leeds newcomers Battle Lines. Dark and cerebral, they blend shoegaze guitars with alt-rock and synthpop to create a raw and energetic live show. Reading & Leeds will be their UK festival debut, remember where you saw them first.

Reading Festival 2013 Weekend tickets SOLD OUT

by
With a month to go until Reading & Leeds Festivals, taking place from 23rd-25th August, excitement for the event is rising as fast as the recent temperature and the best weekend of the summer is hotting up with the news that all Reading Weekend have now completely sold out!
 
EminemThere are now only a limited amount of Sunday Day tickets still available to purchase following the recent sold out announcements for Friday Day Tickets, Saturday Day Tickets and all Early Entry tickets for Reading Festival.
The only way for music fans to guarantee seeing the full amazing Reading & Leeds Festivals line-up is now at Leeds Festival, where fans should take the opportunity to snap up the remaining Early Entry, Day and Weekend tickets and witness the same incredible artists, with UK festival exclusive headline performances from Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro.
 
If you want to see huge names including Biffy Clyro, Nine Inch Nails, Phoenix, Azealia Banks, Knife Party, Baauer, Shikari Sound System, Funeral For A Friend, Spector, Wretch 32 and Angel Haze, then a very limited number of Reading Sunday Tickets are still available.
 
As well as the headliners the Festivals will feature over 200 artists, with UK festival exclusive performances from System of A Down, Fall Out Boy, Skrillex, Deftones, City and Colour and more. Other exciting names confirmed to perform include Devlin and Wretch 32 on the all new BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage, comedy from Judah Friedlander World Champion and Russell Kane, plus Alkaline Trio and Shikari Sound System playing on the Lock Up and the new Rock Stage respectively.  This year is set to be the best year yet, with more stages, more music and more fun to be had than ever before!

THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE AT READING & LEEDS

by

Voted ‘Best Festival’ at the NME Awards, this year’s Reading & Leeds Festivals are officially set to be better than ever! Reading & Leeds guarantee exclusive performances, huge headliners and rising stars and are the only place to spend the August Bank Holiday weekend with friends this summer.  With exclusive UK festival performances from headliners Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro, plus exclusive appearances from Fall Out Boy, System of A Down, Deftones, Skrillex and more, Reading & Leeds can now announce the line-up for the Alternative Stage!

Russell Kane • Seann Walsh (L) • Rob Delaney • Mark Thomas (L)
Shappi Khorsandi (R) • Josh Widdicombe • Paul Chowdhry
Trevor Noah • Jamie Kilstein • Carl Donnelly’s National Novelty Dance Off Finals • Nathan Caton • Jarred Christmas (L) • Andrew O’Neill
Joel Dommett • Katherine Ryan • Idiots of Ants • Tiffany Stevenson
Romesh Ranganathan (L) • Tom Deacon (R) • Ellis James • Rob Beckett
Lucy Beaumont (L) • Luisa Omielan • Suzi Ruffell • Mark Simmons
Daniel Townes (R) • Jim Smallman (L) • Andrew Ryan

MC DOOM • Shlomo & The Lip Factory • Jeffrey Lewis & The Rain
Reeps One • Transgressive • Rebel Bingo (L) • Boogaloo Stu (L)
Buttoned Down Disco (R) • Propaganda with special guests Haim
Snoop Lion: Reincarnated (Film)

(L) Leeds only, (R) Reading only

Chic ft Nile Rodgers performing at Ibiza Rocks

by

In less than one month Jake Bugg will kick off another phenomenal summer of live gigs under the stars at the Rocks Hotels.  The countdown is on, the poolside stage is in place and the best bill in the Balearics is complete. Bonifide festival favourites Biffy Clyro, Beady Eye, The Courteeners, AlunaGeorge and Professor Green will play headline shows and Rocks will also welcome a living legend to the White Isle when Chic featuring Nile Rodgers bring disco fever to Ibiza.

As well as huge festival headliners, global selling artists and music icons, Rocks proudly presents a platform for the best breaking talent. Findlay, Amplify Dot, London Grammar and Temples join previously announced supports Palma Violets, The Other Tribe, Jagwar Ma and Redlight to showcase the best in new music.

This year, Ibiza Rocks will celebrate it’s eighth birthday whilst Mallorca Rocks turns three and what better band to bring in for the best parties in the Balearics than Beady Eye, with Liam Gallagher – icon to the Rocks generation – swaggering centre stage and debuting tracks from their hugely anticipated second album BE. Part of the Rocks family and master of new music Zane Lowe will also play, with support coming from Temples to complete a stellar birthday bill.

It’s a Rocks debut for Beady Eye but festival giants Biffy Clyro are responsible for some standout Rocks shows, having played the opening party in 2010 and headlining the 6th birthday party in 2011. The boys and are back, bigger than ever, to rock Mallorca and Ibiza to their core once more in July.

Back by popular demand is fans favourite Professor Green who will also return with new material for massive shows in both resorts in July and is clearly happy about it, saying, “Very, very excited to be back at Ibiza and Mallorca Rocks, can't wait to perform some of the new album! Let's f@ckin' 'ave it!”
 
In August, it’s a Rocks debut for AlunaGeorge who have exploded onto the scene and featured on one of the biggest tracks of the year ‘White Noise’ with Disclosure. Nominated for the BRITs Critics Choice Award and BBC’s Sound of 2013 and with debut album ‘Body Music’ out in July, this will be one seriously hot summer set.
 
September will see a music legend at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel as Chic feat. Nile Rodgers perform huge hit after hit, live under the stars. From Madness, to The Specials to New Order, every year Rocks books a band that have shaped the music scene and influenced generations after them.  Nile Rodgers is one of the most influential producers of all time, forming CHIC in the 70’s with tracks such as ‘Le Freak,’ ‘I Want Your Love,’ ‘Everybody Dance’ and ‘Good Times’ propelling disco back in the day and still dance classics now. From CHIC’s own hits to Rodgers producing massive tracks like ‘We Are Family’ and ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ for Sister Sledge, ‘Upside Down’ and ‘I'm Coming Out’ for Diana Ross, producing David Bowie's biggest selling album ‘Let's Dance’ and Madonna's blockbuster album ‘Like a Virgin’ – Nile Rodgers is ‘The Hitmaker’.  Add to that working with Jeff Beck, The Thompson Twins, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, and most recently Daft Punk, giving them their biggest hit to date with No.1 single ‘Get Lucky’ – the soundtrack of the summer.  The Ibiza Rocks crowd will certainly get lucky in September as a true dance music pioneer takes centre stage.

Nile Rodgers

Whilst Foals head up the Ibiza Rocks Closing Party, it’s Manchester lads The Courteeners that will take to the stage for this coveted Closing Party slot at Mallorca Rocks Hotel in September (17/09).

Shane Murray, Promoter said: “We’re incredibly proud of this year's line up, the mix feels just right. I don't think you will see Biffy Clyro or Foals doing anything as intimate as our Rocks shows this year. Bringing two genuine music icons in Liam Gallagher with Beady Eye and Nile Rodgers with Chic to perform will be big highlights. Liam is an icon of the Rocks generation and Nile has inspired and influenced music beyond recognition – especially in Ibiza. At the same time brilliant new talent like Jake Bugg and AlunaGeorge are coming through as headliners. It’s an exciting time. We’re in for another brilliant summer in the Balearics”

Rock Werchter completes lineup with Stereophonics and more added

by

All the pieces of the puzzle have been revealed. Eighty names now grace the full line-up of Rock Werchter 2013. The latest additions are Twin Forks, Youth Lagoon, SX, Haim, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike andStereophonics.

These are all 80 bands who will be performing at Werchter 2013: A Day To Remember, Airbourne, All Time Low, Alt-J, Angel Haze, Asaf Avidan, Azealia Banks, Balthazar, Band of Horses, Bastille, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ben Howard, Biffy Clyro, Bloc Party, Blur, Boys Noize, C2C, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Depeche Mode, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Disclosure, Dizzee Rascal, Django Django, Earl Sweatshirt, Editors, Fidlar, Frank Ocean, Gary Clark Jr., Gogol Bordello, Goose, Graveyard, Green Day, Haim, Jake Bugg, James Blake, Jamie Lidell, Jessie Ware, John Legend, Jonathan Jeremiah, Ke$ha, Kendrick Lamar, Kings of Leon, Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, Major Lazer, Matthew E. White, Modest Mouse, Modestep, Netsky (live), Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Odd Future, Of Monsters and Men, Palma Violets, Passenger, Phoenix, Rammstein, Richard Hawley, Rudimental, Sigur Rós, Stereophonics, SX, Tame Impala, The Black Angels, The Bloody Beetroots, The Bots, The Gaslight Anthem, The Hives, The Lumineers, The National, The Script, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Tom Odell, Trash Talk, Twin Forks, Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend, Vintage Trouble, Vitalic VTLZR, Volbeat and Youth Lagoon. 

Click here to see when the definites will be on stage. As we speak the schedule is being finalised, and it will be published very soon.

Rock Werchter Thursday lineup complete

by

The line-up for Rock Werchter 2013 is taking its final form, with the 4th of July now complete. Latest additions are Vampire Weekend, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Vintage Trouble and Fidlar. The full line-up for Thursday 4 July is as follows:
 

Main StageMarqueeThe Barn
All Time LowFidlarPalma Violets
AirbourneVintage TroubleThe Black Angels
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club    Laura MvulaBalthazar
Vampire WeekendJessie WareBiffy Clyro
The NationalJamie LidellBloc Party
Green DayDizzee RascalSigur Rós
Netsky (live)The Bloody Beetroots 

Green Day

Bar a handful of names, the line-up for Rock Werchter 2013 has now been fully revealed. The list of confirmed acts makes for impressive reading: A Day To Remember, Airbourne, All Time Low, Alt-J, Angel Haze, Asaf Avidan, Azealia Banks, Balthazar, Band of Horses, Bastille, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ben Howard, Biffy Clyro, Bloc Party, Blur, Boys Noize, C2C, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Depeche Mode, Disclosure, Dizzee Rascal, Django Django, Earl Sweatshirt, Editors, Fidlar, Frank Ocean, Gary Clark Jr., Gogol Bordello, Goose, Graveyard, Green Day, Jake Bugg, James Blake, Jamie Lidell, Jessie Ware, John Legend, Jonathan Jeremiah, Ke$ha, Kendrick Lamar, Kings of Leon, Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, Major Lazer, Matthew E. White, Modest Mouse, Modestep, Netsky (live), Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Odd Future, Of Monsters and Men, Palma Violets, Passenger, Phoenix, Rammstein, Richard Hawley, Rudimental, Sigur Rós, Tame Impala, The Black Angels, The Bloody Beetroots, The Bots, The Gaslight Anthem, The Hives, The Lumineers, The National, The Script, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Tom Odell, Trash Talk, Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend, Vintage Trouble, Vitalic VTLZR and Volbeat. 

Biffy Clyro, Mika and more added to Sziget the ‘Island of Freedom’

by

 

Playing at the Main Stage, we will see Biffy Clyro, the best British live band today. They fill stadiums and they are always at the most-visited festivals of the UK. Their live gigs are considered massive and in the last few years they have been acknowledged by some of the most influential media. After their last three successful albums, they have released their newest one in January, ‘Opposites’, which lead the British charts for quite a while. They received a lot of awards recently: they were considered the best live band in 2011 at the NME Awards and at the Q Awards. This year they have also received the NME Award for the being the best British band.

Biffy Clyro

Michael Holbrook Penniman, world-known as Mika, is one of the most talented and colorful pop artists today. He knows everything what a pop star does. Besides his almost classic songs, he will perform his newest ones from his latest album ‘The Origin of Love’ and will surely conquer the audience at the Main Stage of Sziget.

Futuristic, ultra-suggestive and massively dynamic is Nero live. The two British electronic musicians and producers, Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray, together with singer Alana Watson are touring Europe since 2010 with their dubstep, drum’n’bass and electro house craziness. This time they are visiting the Arena Stage of Sziget.

In a late-afternoon slot of the Main Stage we can see Regina Spektor, an anti-folk singer from New York. She has a unique style, influenced by folk, punk, rock, hip hop, jazz and classical music. She relies on her seemingly endless imagination when it comes to her songs, as if she was playing different roles each and every time, that’s what makes her so unique today.

One of the most active techno-pop productions, Booka Shade from Germany, is coming to the Arena Stage with a massive live show. The supplier of quality and hyper-intelligent electronic music have been in the business for 25 years now and they will definitely bring the right tunes for an unforgettable party!

There are even more names confirmed for the giant Arena tent, including the mystical, monumental, passionate alternative rock combo, The Joy Formidable. Their guitar music is at the same time very dynamic, but chilled as well. Abstract music will also be present at the mega-tent, played by Erol Alkan, a London-based electro DJ, whose fantasy is without borders and has no ties to any genres. Even though Felix Cartal is pretty young, he is already an internationally well-known Canadian musician, DJ and producer. He is open to styles from solid pop to massive electro house and this is a good set of reasons to check him out at Sziget Arena.

One of the most popular folk-rock singers from the Netherlands, Blaudzun, is also among the line-up of the festival. He received the “Dutch Grammy”, the Edison prize this February, for being the best male artist in the Netherlands. A Benelux focus is also strengthened by Monophona, the trio from Luxemburg who are preparing for their first Sziget gig. They will be a special surprise for those who love elegant, minimalist and melancholic electro-acoustic live sets. Splendid, the reggae collective from The Hague spices up their music with some rocksteady and soul. They are not only popular in the Netherlands, but spread their message to anyone who loves reggae music in Europe. This time they will do it at Sziget.

The A38 Stage has some strong new names as well, e.g. Natasha Khan aka Bat for Lashes. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London has a mysterious voice and became popular especially in the UK with her pop music. She released three studio albums out of which ‘Fur and Gold’ from 2006 and ‘Two Suns’ from 2009 have been nominated for the Mercury Prize. Flogging Molly, the number one Celtic punk band in the world, is also coming back to Sziget! Their gigs are always very popular, from the smallest events to the biggest festivals. This time they play at the A38 stage!

Bat For Lashes

The music of The Cribs is just as self-confident as the members themselves. They have navigated the British indie community out of the dark after the breakup of The Smiths in the 2000s. They receive good critics and no big British festival could miss them from their line-up.

British electro-pop diva, Little Boots, is a true female icon of her generation. Her enchanting melodies remind us of the electronic synthpop dance music of the 80s. Her next big hit will be her second album, ‘Nocturnes’, which will be released this May. Dark and massive techno and electro visions are the good words for French electronic musician, DJ and producer, Gesaffelstein. He visits Sziget with a live act, which is usually built up with engineering punctuality. These diverse and quality sets have a great atmosphere and free up the available energies on the dance floor. Dub FX has been rather popular on the video sharing portals and the blog-sphere, while he has also toured all five continents with his loops, revolutionizing the world of street performances. The name dOP represents three creative, sexy and irresistible men from Paris. The trio of Damien Vandesande, Clément Aichelbaum and Jonathan Illel knows exactly how to combine organic electronic music with live instruments and how to add funk, jazz, classical and minimal house and lounge taste to the music. German punk-rock band, Donots, are unstoppably popular. With their new album, released last summer, ‘Wake the Dogs’ they will visit Sziget as well. Hoffmaestro plays a witty ska music, which is merged together with reggae, techno, New Orleans funk and classical country music as well. Rangleklods live is a Danish performer strongly believing in improvisation and revolutionizing sounds. He mixes the main parts of his music on his laptop, but the act comes together on the stage with his small tricks, spontaneous attitude and ad hoc effects.

The talented and characteristic Dutch band, Daily Bread, will also play their overpowering garage rock music at the event. The four members of the group are also open to new wave and chill wave sounds!

Green Day set to headline Reading and Leeds Festival

by

System Of A Down and Deftones return to Reading & Leeds with UK festival exclusive performances, playing Friday at Reading and Saturday at Leeds. Nine Inch Nails are back for the first time since 2007 to perform a 2013 UK exclusive show on the Main Stage and Fall Out Boy return to the Festivals with a UK festival exclusive appearance, both bands playing Sunday at Reading and Friday at Leeds.

Over on the NME/Radio 1 Stage will be a UK festival exclusive set, ‘Mercury Music Prize’ winners Alt-J and French outfit Phoenix, all taking to the top of the line-up for the stage and playing to thousands of revellers across the weekend.

On the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, newly expanded from one day to three days for 2013, English electronic music producer Sub Focus Live, Magnetic Man and electronic dance music heavyweights Knife Party will all headline.

The BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage, one of the most exciting additions that Reading & Leeds have witnessed for a long time, will play host one to of the pioneers of grime Wiley and UK rapper Devlin as the first confirmed headliners for 2013.

These names are just the beginning, there are many more yet to be announced across these stages, plus the line-ups for the Festival Republic Stage, Lock Up Stage, BBC Introducing Stage and the Alternative Stage.

READING FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Green Day complete the Main Stage headliners at Reading & Leeds Festivals 2013, all of which are UK festival exclusive appearances. After a surprise Reading performance at 11am in 2012, which saw thousands of revellers heading to the NME/Radio 1 Stage and thousands more watching on screens in the arena, the band returns to play a full headline set at both sites.

Green Day

Green Day are integral to the identity of Reading & Leeds Festivals, with their performances among the greatest in the Festivals' history. With each new record and incarnation, they bring riot and rebellion to a new audience. In 2004, their triumphant headline set featured covers of 'Blitzkreig Bop', 'Ever Fallen In Love?', and fittingly, 'We Are The Champions' and in past performances some lucky fans have even had the chance to get up on stage with the band! Their headline sets at the Festivals this year are sure to deliver even more unforgettable Reading & Leeds moments, don’t miss out!

Following a year that saw him play at the Olympics opening ceremony and sell-out Wembley Arena, Frank Turner returns to Reading & Leeds for the seventh consecutive year. The Festivals “hold a special place in his heart” and his set will be a triumphant showstopper as he plays tracks from his forthcoming album ‘Tape Deck Heart’ as well as playing his big hits.

Already announced for the Main Stage for this day are: System Of A Down and Deftones, both UK festival exclusives, plus Bring Me The Horizon, with more names still to come!

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

Taking to the NME/RADIO 1 STAGE stage will be the most talked about rapper in the world today, A$AP Rocky, playing the festival for the first time, plus Diplo's dancehall supergroup Major Lazer bringing the carnival spirit to Reading & Leeds.

South London indie quartet Bastille join the NME/Radio 1 Stage with an armful of songs from their debut album ‘Bad Blood’, currently Number One in the album chart, including their recent Number Two single ‘Pompeii’. They'll be joined by Birmingham's 'BBC Sounds of 2013 nominees, Peace, whose hotly anticipated debut album 'In Love' looks set to soundtrack the summer. Their Stones Roses-inspired rock garnered them a ‘Best New Band’ nomination at the NME Awards and won them a big slot on the NME Awards tour. Another name just announced is explosive LA rock duo Deap Vally, who have toured with Muse and The Vaccines, enjoyed Radio 1 playlist support and were tipped by NME as one of the bands of 2013, they join what's set to be the best year for the Festivals yet.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

This year the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage will be taking place over three days for the first time, already announced as the first headliner for this stage is Sub Focus Live.

BBC RADIO 1XTRA STAGE

The all new BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage is set to bring the best of hip-hop and grime from the UK and farther afield. Headlining the stage on this day will be one of the pioneers of grime, Wiley; with many more names to come.

READING SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Iconic rapper Eminem headlines the Main Stage in a UK festival exclusive appearance. Added to the line-up this day will be legends of UK drum and bass, Chase and Status, bringing a world-class live show to the Festivals. Chase and Status are credited with taking drum and bass from the club scene to the mainstream, with chart conquering songs like 'End Credits' and 'Let You Go'. Currently working on a new album, their jaw-dropping live show is sure to get the crowds moving ahead of Eminem.

Eminem

Joining Foals, winners of ‘Best Track’ at the NME Awards for ‘Inhaler’, on the expanding bill is White Lies. The British indie trio, whose dark demeanor has seen them win accolades from around the world, make their Main Stage debut in a UK festival exclusive performance at Reading & Leeds. The band are currently in the studio, but by the time the Festivals come around they'll have a new record, the follow up to 2011's astounding ‘Ritual’. Godfathers of emo, Brand New return to the Festivals for the first time since 2009 with a UK festival exclusiveperformance. With a new album in the works, they're bound to premiere new songs as well as their anthem, 'Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades'.

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

With Alt-J already announced as an NME/Radio 1 Stage headliner and Jake Bugg performing on the stage for the first time, other bands can now be announced. Tame Impala will make to their first visit to the Festivals since winning ‘Album Of The Year’ plaudits for ‘Lonerism’ from both Rolling Stone and NME and Imagine Dragons, the Las Vegas rock band who are so popular in the US they haven't stopped touring for over a year, join the bill.

Also just confirmed is Johnny Marr who formed the Smiths formed The Smiths in 1982 when he was just 18, going on to become one of the most important bands in the history of music, with Johnny Marrone of the greatest guitarists the UK has ever seen. Post The Smiths Marr has spent his time playing guitar in a succession of great acts including The Cribs who he performed with at Reading & Leeds before. His debut solo album ‘The Messenger’ has just been released to much critical acclaim.

Also confirmed are ‘Best New Band’ NME Award winners Palma Violets who met and formed at Reading a few years ago and played the Festivals for the first time in 2012. This year marks a special return for the slapdash rockers who are currently riding high off their recent award success. One of the first artists to take dubstep into the live arena, Modestep's show combines live vocals, a full band and a ridiculous amount of bass. Prepare for an adrenaline fuelled party of epic proportions.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Taking to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage as headliners will beMagnetic Man. Made up of producers Skream, Benga and Artwork, they have been touring the world with extravagant live shows ever since their performance at Reading & Leeds in 2010. Skream has since said that those Reading & Leeds performances and the incredible crowd reaction were seminal for him in realising the potential for dubstep as a live genre. 

BBC RADIO 1XTRA STAGE

Joining Wiley as a fellow headliner on this new stage will be Devlin. Dagenham-based rapper Devlin returns to the Festivals with his sideways social commentary and formidable flow. Having just scored a Top 10 single with 'Rewind', he's leading the UK's next generation of rap stars.

READING SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Biffy ClyroBiffy Clyro make their ascent this year to Main Stage headliners in aUK festival exclusive performance and deservedly so after being crowned ‘Best British Band’ at the recent NME Awards.

Described by Spin as "the most vital artist in music" Trent Reznor is undoubtedly a heroic figure for any Reading & Leeds attendee. For the past few years, he has been more at home in a Hollywood recording studio than on a festival stage, providing the scores for huge Hollywood movies like ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’. Now, after a four year hiatus, he's returning to his first love:Nine Inch Nails. In a huge exclusive, they will play their only UK shows this year at the Reading & Leeds Festivals. The band have sold over 30 million records worldwide and are responsible for some of the most daring rock music ever recorded, be there to witness this legendary band.

Fall Out Boy will also appear, making a welcome return to the Main Stage this day, with another UK festival exclusive for Reading & Leeds!

Joining them on the stage will be one of the biggest success stories of the past year The Lumineers, an alternative Americana band from Denver, Colorado who have surpassed all expectation to become a global success with their eponymous debut album going Top 10 in the US, UK and Australia. Editors also join the line-up, bringing their cinematic rock to the Main Stage for a second time.These bands are just the start, with more names for the Main Stage yet to be announced!

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

The final NME/Radio 1 Stage headliner is Phoenix,returning to the Festivals for the first time since 2010 to toast ‘Bankrupt!’, their new album set for release in April this year. In the time since the French outfit last graced the Reading & Leeds stage, they’ve notched up a Grammy and over one million sales of their critically lauded 2009 album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’. This year look ready to set fire to the worldwide festival circuit, including stepping in to the headline role on this stage for the first time.

Other exciting names added to the NME/Radio 1 Stage are Harlem rapper Azealia Banks, who returns to the festival after playing to a packed out Dance Stage in 2012, to play songs from her long awaited album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’. Production duo Disclosure, currently riding high in the Top 10 with single ‘White Noise’ and working on their house and UK garage-influenced debut album, will also have the crowds in the NME/Radio 1 Stage singing along this summer.

City and Colour, the moniker of singer-songwriter Dallas Green, is gearing up to release his fourth studio album this summer. With three JUNO Awards under his belt (the Canadian equivalent of the BRITs), City and Colour returns to the UK, following a sold out Royal Albert Hall performance and two sold out Roundhouse dates, to play Reading & Leeds for the first time in a UK festival exclusive appearance. LA sisters Haim have had a fantastic year, winning the BBC ‘Sound of 2013’ poll and touring with Florence + the Machine. Currently finishing off their debut album, they bring their astonishing guitar playing and filthy on stage banter to the Festivals for the first time. Major Lazercollaborator Alex Clare also joins the bill, since releasing his debut album in 2011 the British singer-songwriter has had a Top Five single with ‘Too Close’, as well as a BRIT Award nomination for ‘Best British Single’ with the same track.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Electronic dance music heavyweights Knife Party, the Australian duo who have taken the world by storm, will headline the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage. With two huge EP's under their belt, along with some incredible collaborations and remixes, this is the first time the Knife Party madness will be unleashed on Reading & Leeds Festivals, be sure not to miss out!

ALSO PLAYING AT READING & LEEDS 2013

Last year, Baauer was an underground DJ creating a few waves on Diplo's Mad Decent label. Now he's a global phenomenon, with everyone from the cast of Eastenders to The Simpsons doing the Harlem Shake.

The Blackout have become one of the biggest rock bands in the UK, from supporting the likes of My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park to co-headlining the Kerrang! Tour. Off the back of releasing their fourth album ‘Start The Party’ this year, they play the Festivals for the fifth time.

Hadouken!, once a nu-rave rap crew, have been re-born as a fully-fledged EDM monster. Louder, brasher, but just as much fun they guarantee to bring the party to Reading & Leeds this summer, after an amazing set to a packed crowd on the NME/Radio 1 Stage in 2012.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has already toured with Rita Ora and released some astonishingly good mixtapes. Her debut album, ‘The New Classic’, is released this year and she'll be bringing some hip-hop swag to Reading & Leeds.

Named after Juliette Lewis' character in ‘Natural Born Killers’, Cambridge five-piece Mallory Knox’s debut album ‘Signals’ has already gone Top 40 this year.

Reading & Leeds veterans, New Found Glory return to do what they do best, making everyone go wild, they bring a special show to Reading & Leeds playing out their well-loved album ‘Sticks and Stones’ in full.

The Strypes come to Reading & Leeds with their quintessentially retro classic rock, despite the fact the band’s eldest member is only 16, and they already count Noel Gallagher among their fans.

B-Town scene leaders Swim Deep will bring their laid back doss-pop to the Festivals.

Temples, the psychedelic four-piece inspired by the Byrds and Tame Impala, come to Reading & Leeds for the first time in 2013.

In less than a year, Manchester band, The 1975, have gone from back room boozer to Shepherds Bush Empire, smashing the airwaves and stealing the hearts, eyes and ears of thousands of new fans every week. Hardworking boys destined for big things.

Hailing from London, Theme Park recently released their self-titled debut album, full of catchy songs. Having featured as NME Radar’s ‘Band of The Week’ and The Guardian’s ‘New Band of The Day’, they are set for great things.

Tomahawk, weirdo-rock supergroup featuring members of Faith No More, the Jesus Lizard, Battles and Mr Bungle will play the Festivals for the first time.

Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic are bound to make the crowds dizzy with brash and ballsy hits like ‘Free’ and ‘Make a Beast Of Myself’ when they take to the stage this summer.

Also playing at the Festivals will be Sheffield rockers While She Sleeps, named Kerrang!'s ‘Best British Newcomers’, who will get the crowds going with songs from their album ‘This is the Six’.

A-Z OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED SO FAR FOR READING & LEEDS FESTIVALS 2013

Ben Howard, Biffy Clyro, Kendrick Lamar and more added to Rock Werchter lineup

by

 

New to the line-up:  BEN HOWARD – THE HIVES – BOYS NOIZE – JOHN LEGEND – KENDRICK LAMAR – GOGOL BORDELLO – VITALIC VTLZR – JAKE BUGG – JAMES BLAKE – TAME IMPALA – DIZZEE RASCAL – BIFFY CLYRO – BALTHAZAR – THE LUMINEERS – LIANNE LA HAVAS – JONATHAN JEREMIAH – AZEALIA BANKS – RUDIMENTAL – MODEST MOUSE – THE BOTS – GARY CLARK JR. and LAURA MVULA.
 
It has already been announced that RAMMSTEIN – GREEN DAY – BLUR – KINGS OF LEON – EDITORS – DEPECHE MODE – NETSKY (LIVE) – VOLBEAT – PHOENIX – THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS – SIGUR ROS – THE SCRIPT – BLOC PARTY – BAND OF HORSES – RICHARD HAWLEY – OF MONSTERS AND MEN – ALT-J – DJANGO DJANGO – DISCLOSURE – C2C – TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB – A DAY TO REMEMBER – ASAF AVIDAN – PASSENGER – AIRBOURNE – GRAVEYARD andJESSIE WARE will be performing at Rock Werchter 2013.
 
More names to be announced soon. Click here to see when the definites will be on stage.

Biffo Clyro announced as 2nd headliner for Reading & Leeds Festival + more!

by

Expect to hear hits from the band’s extensive catalogue as well as tracks from their current Number One double album ‘Opposites’. With a recent NME Award nomination for ‘Best British Band’ and ‘Best Live Band’, 2013 is set to be an incredible year for Biffy Clyro. Reading & Leeds Festivals, the biggest rock festivals in the UK, are the perfect place to witness the band in action.

Biffy Clyro
One of the most successful alt-rock bands of all time, System Of A Down make a welcome return to Reading & Leeds. The band have only played a handful of gigs since they reformed in 2010, but they are back in the UK to play the Main Stage at the 2013 Festivals, which is sure to be a highlight of the weekend.  
 
Reading & Leeds are excited to announce that recently reformed festival favourites Fall Out Boy will take to the Main Stage in a UK festival exclusive performance.  Their live shows are always anarchic and tend to include a few irreverent turns. Their performance at the Festivals this summer will feature songs from across the band’s entire career and will be unmissable.
 
Foals have played Reading & Leeds Festivals three times before, working their way up from the smallest tent, to this year taking their rightful place on the Main Stage. Recently nominated for ‘Best Track’ (‘Inhaler’) and ‘Best Live Band’ at the NME Awards, their Reading & Leeds performance will be one to watch.
 
Since 2012 Jake Bugg has scored a Number One album with his self-titled debut, received nominations for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Solo Artist’ at the forthcoming NME Awards and is shortlisted for ‘British Breakthrough Act’ at the BRITs. Catch him on the NME/Radio 1 Stage at Reading & Leeds this year.
 
British metalcore dons Bring Me The Horizon have been destroying huge crowds for almost a decade. The band’s shows on the Main Stage at Reading & Leeds Festivals will crown a year in which they went stratospheric, as well as give fans a chance to hear new material from their highly anticipated forthcoming album ‘Sempiternal’.
 
Acts already announced for Reading & Leeds Festivals 2013
 
Acts already announced for the Festivals are Main Stage headliner Eminem in his only UK festival appearance of 2013, NME/Radio 1 Stage headliners Alt-J, Deftones, Boy Better Know ft. Wiley, JME and Skepta and Sub Focus live. Plus there are many more names yet to be announced!