Having previously announced Dizzee Rascal & White Lies as headliners for Y Not Festival, the Summer Festival Guide can announce that Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls are the third headliner for this years festival.
Also joining the festival are:
Razorlight
Shed Seven
Ella Eyre
Swim Deep
Saint Raymond
Beans On Toast
Yuck
Circa Waves
DZ Deathrays
Menace Beach
The Wytches
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys
Amber Run
Nordic Giants
Tiger Cub
Set in the stunning surroundings of UK's Lake District, Kendal Calling return for 2014 with a bang! The first lineup announcement features headliners Suede and Frank Turner.
Joining the headliners will be hip hop legends De La Soul, Miles Kane, Happy Mondays, 2manyDjs, Andy C, Radio One's Zane Lowe, Bondax, Goldie, Razorlight, Clean Bandit and many more.
Newcastle’s indie rock five-piece Maximo Park have recently scored themselves a third Top 10 album with ‘Too Much Information’. Whilst summer may seem pretty far away their headline set at Standon Calling will be a chance to celebrate the band’s continuing success.
In an opening-night headline set, Frank Turner and his band, The Sleeping Souls’ appearance at Standon Calling will be intimate compared to his recent 20,000 capacity sell out shows at London’s o2 Arena. Turner’s often politically charged songs are renowned for bringing together rousing crowds in mass sing-a-longs perfect for festivals.
The festivals third headliner will be announced in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere on the line-up Clean Bandit, riding high on their recent number one single ‘Rather Be’, will bring their electronic sounds to Standon Calling. Local girl Charli XCX is in for a home turf gig when the Hertfordshire-born singer appears at the festival. A feature on many 2014 ‘ones to watch lists’, Ella Eyre makes for another feisty, femme-pop addition to Standon Calling’s musical offering.
The more indie-centric side of the festival features blues-tinged sounds from The Heavy, the British neo-soul group have made a splash on both sides of the Atlantic and call legendary independent label Ninja Tune home. Also confirmed are Birmingham scene stars Peace, a return to the festival for TOY and a set from folk-tinged outfit Leisure Society. So far the best on-theme act for 2014, The Cuban Brothers will be on hand, channeling the musical spirit of Havana. Bristolian synth-pop five-piece The Other Tribe join the line-up complete with a Pete Tong seal of approval and also to take to the stage will be indie singer-songwriter Saint Raymond.
Standon Calling’s theme for 2014 is ‘Lost in Latin America’. Revolutionaries, Aztec ruins, Amazonian rainforests and more will be woven into the look and feel of the festival culminating including a Saturday carnival, as ever, with prizes being award to the best costumes.
A lot of festivals try to be everything to everyone, which is no bad thing. But 2000 Trees is unashamedly about the music, new, diverse, intelligent, challenging music, which crosses genres from relaxed foot tapping Folk through to ear bleeding Hardcore. The common factor?…….These six festival organisers have put on a line up of bands that are, or will be, top of their game, even if you don’t know it yet.
The festival site sits in idyllic surroundings in The Cotswolds, is very considerate of the green surroundings and caters for families as well as the predominately young attendees. Ample food and beer on sale, all of a quality you would expect from a West Country, Farm Heavy Shire, where the animals and burgers to be, are treated as royalty, The camping is well layed out, with views of the main stage in the thick of things or further up the site in quieter locations.
The festivals aims to have people leave with a new favourite band. This is exactly what is achieved and a whole lot more. The site consists of four stages, The Main stage, The Cave, The Leaf Lounge, The Green house, each of a different size with its own unique atmosphere.
However, some of the best moments are those unexpected and impromptu performances, be it the three giggling girls and a ukulele playing on the 2000 trees sign up the hill, or the already Legendary Frank Turner in a campsite, playing to 50 or so lucky bystanders. This was one of many appearances by Mr Turner, Playing the The Cave on Thursday night, the BBC Introducing stage and appearing ad hoc during the sets of some of his fellow artists around site. Easily earning himself the title of hardest working artist of the weekend.
FRIDAY Was mainly spent in The Cave, rather hot and sticky due to the Festival landing on the hottest weekend of the year, much to the delight of fans who attended the Welly worthy event previously. A mid afternoon set saw Hold Your Horse is, step up,to play their Prog Rock to the assembled crowd. As they move further into the set you realise this band has depth, tempo changes, mood swings, that leave you wondering what is coming next.
Black Moth follow with a take on what has previously been considered a Midlands based Rock, An old Skool sound, but reinvented and played with an addictive youthful enthusiasm that pleases all.
INME are the pre headline, they play to a packed tent with people having to stand outside to even grab a peek. The band feel, sound and look massive, Rock with depth, changing direction, worthy of selling out the biggest of venues, but thankfully seen on a more personal set.
Adebesi Skank close day one in The Cave with a memorable performance of insanity. A manic, energetic performance, masked weirdness, a huge wall of sound, that sends fans into frenzied movement in front of the stage, mirroring that of the band.
Whilst on the main stage, Mr Frank Turner holds court, probably the most eagerly awaited performance of the weekend. The crowd are ecstatic from the opening chords of ‘Four simple words’ through some of his most popular and not so often heard body of work, ‘Plain Sailing Weather’ goes down a storm, no pun intended! As Mr T takes to the stage for an encore of ‘Recovery’ and ‘I still believe’ every foot in the field is tapping and a crowd of voices sing a long with the man himself. It is still a sight to behold as Frank manages to get a majority of the crowd to sit down, then jump up during ‘Photosynthesis’ with the fans singing every word in delight.
Saturday. Today’s opener in The Cave is the metal might that is Grappler. A mention is worthy due to them igniting a Mosh Pit at Midday, on a summers afternoon. The intensity of the Lead singer and wild eyed front man is sure to blow the cobwebs away from the night before. At one point jumping into the crowd, kneeling, screaming to the congregation during a song most personal to himself. The next moment back on his feet and locking heads, with a fan willing to scream back his lyrics.
I have to drag myself away from The Cave and check The Main Stage, a slower pace but with an array of emerging or unspoilt talent. Local Boy Andy Oliveri opens after playing a handful of songs up at The Green House, recorded for a BBC Introducing session. Including a collaboration with Frank Turners new favourites, The Cadbury Sisters, after performing there own set the night before, a family festival indeed, amongst the artists as much!!
The Bluesy John J Presley took command later and with blues hitting a younger generation once more, there is a good chance that Mr Presley could earn his place amongst the great bluesman of the past, the stateside heavies of the 50’s or the Brum based God like Rockers of the 70’s, with his own take on the genre.
Indie heavyweights Mystery Jets close the final night. Some may consider the Indie scene a thing of the past, a floppy fringed predictable style. The Jets have other ideas though with a set of crowd favourites that excite, with a diversity of songs, a band that belie their near decade playing and thrilling audiences.
Performance of the festival for me? Math Rock Mammoths, Future of the left playing an epic set, loud, manic, intelligent, mind blowing. ‘You need Satan more than he needs you’ being possibly the best song live I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing.
2000 Trees live up to all the promises. It was the most pleasurable of festivals, fuelled by copious amounts of caffeine, courtesy of the Coffee Crew at The Paper Cup Café. If you are a Muso, forward thinking, or just want to expose yourself to new sounds, creative genius, a new family, a fantastic festival and atmosphere, 2000 Trees 2014 awaits, will have you wishing you had more ears……
Xtra Mile Recordings today revealed it will perform a takeover of the GreenHouse stage at the 2000trees Festival. The stage will feature numerous Xtra Mile acts playing special acoustic sets on Friday 12th July.
The Xtra Mile acoustic takeover includes Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun, The Xcerts, Beans on Toast, Ben Marwood, Fighting Fiction, Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo and Crazy Arm.
They join a line-up already packed with Xtra Mile acts playing full band sets, including Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Retrospective Soundtrack Players, Fighting with Wire (playing their last ever UK show) and Thursday night headliners Future of the Left.
Charlie Caplowe of Xtra Mile Recordings says: “We are thrilled to be spending a fun-filled weekend at 2000trees. It’s one of our favourite festivals of the year and we’ve got loads of our acts playing over the three days. Come and find us at the GreenHouse Stage on Friday for our Xtra Mile takeover. The summer can’t come soon enough.”
Other acts confirmed to play GreenHouse sets on Friday include Oxygen Thief, Ady Suleiman, Charlotte Carpenter and Dan Heaver.
2000trees organizer James Scarlett says: “This is a one-off treat for all fans of Xtra Mile artists and it is fitting that we honour their contribution to new and underground British music in the year that their biggest act, Frank Turner, is headlining 2000trees.
We are music fans first and foremost and we run 2000trees to share our love of great music with like-minded festival-goers, so we cannot wait to see what will be a very special year for 2000trees.”
2000trees has already confirmed Mystery Jets, Stornoway, King Charles, Funeral for a Friend, And So I Watch You From Afar, We Are The Ocean and INME, among the 80 acts on four stages over three days.
Frank Turner added: “Xtra Mile has backed me since the start and it has a deep love of new and underground British music, which is shared by the great guys at 2000trees who also booked me as far back as 2007. So this is undoubtedly going to be one of the highlights of my year.”
Tickets for Thursday’s Early Entry night are almost sold out. It includes Future of the Left, The Xcerts, Gallops, Max Raptor, Freeze the Atlantic and EMPIRE, but tickets are almost sold out for this extra evening of fun and music.
Tickets are available from www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk
With even more artists yet to be announced across the NME/Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Dance, Lock Up/Rock, Festival Republic, BBC Radio 1Xtra Alternative and BBC Introducing Stages, the line-up just keeps getting bigger and better for 2013!
NEW NAMES ADDED TO THE MAIN STAGE
Already announced on the Main Stage are UK festival exclusive headliners Green Day, Eminem, and Biffy Clyro, plus UK festival exclusive performances from Fall Out Boy, System Of A Down andDeftones. Nine Inch Nails will return to Reading & Leeds for the first time since 2007 to perform a 2013 UK exclusive show.
Also playing the Main Stage are legends of UK drum and bass, Chase and Status, bringing a world-class live show to Reading & Leeds and Frank Turner, who returns to play the Festivals which “hold a special place in his heart” for the seventh consecutive year; his set will be a triumphant showstopper.
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The Main Stage will welcome the unique musical stylings of quintessentially British band Skindred, whose blend of heavy metal, dub, reggae and drum ‘n’ bass, or ‘ragga metal’, has landed them legions of fans and numerous awards.
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British punkrock band Lower Than Atlantis will be returning to the Festivals on the Main Stage after an incredible set on the Festival Republic Stage last year. Expect to hear the crowd singing along to hits from their entire catalogue, including current album ‘Changing Tune’.
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Joining the line-up are New York punk band We Are The In Crowd, currently touring the UK and Europe with their latest album ‘Best Intentions’, as well as Southampton based five-piece Bury Tomorrow who will be offering their unique blend of melodic metalcore and bringing songs from their anticipated second album ‘The Union of Crowns’.
NME/RADIO 1 STAGE LINE-UP EXPANDS
The NME/Radio 1 Stage gets even hotter with new names joining headliners Skrillex, Alt-J and Phoenix, plus others already announced including Jake Bugg, Imagine Dragons, Major Lazer,A$AP Rocky and Haim.
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Joining the line-up will be Scottish five-piece Frightened Rabbit, armed with songs from their critically acclaimed Top 10 album ‘Pedestrian Verse’, the band’s arena-rock arrangements promise a thrilling live show. Hedonistic punks FIDLAR, whose melodic twists and turns have earned them plaudits from critics on both sides of the Atlantic also take to the stage.
Tipped by the likes of Radio 1 and MTV, Dublin-based Kodaline will be making their Reading & Leeds debut. The alternative rock quartet will be playing the best from their new album ‘In A Perfect World’ and more.
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North London band Tribes are revered as breathing life back into guitar music. The band’s second album ‘Wish To Scream’ is out in May, preceded by the single ‘Dancehall’ on 20th May, which follows the instant anthem of first single ‘How The Other Half Live’. Released just 11 months after their well-received debut album ‘Baby’, the Festival crowds will see them flying the flag for British Indie.
Hotly tipped as ones to watch on the 'BBC Sound of 2013’ list, experimental electronic duo AlunaGeorge will be proving exactly why they’ve been enjoying chart success this year, with their unique brand of sensual vocals and pop sensibilities.
BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE ADDS A WHOLE HOST OF ARTISTS
Headliners Sub Focus Live, Magnetic Man and Knife Party, plusBaauer and Iggy Azalea, will be joined by a raft of amazing artists on the newly expanded three day BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage.
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British electro-pop comes courtesy of Fenech-Soler, signed to Warner Records and championed by Radio 1’s Annie Mac and Greg James, the four-piece have received attention from a legion of music bloggers. They will be joined on the line-up by Radio 1 DJ and drum‘n’bass multi-award winner Friction, for the heaviest bass on the Dance Stage. Also confirmed are London based collective Clean Bandit who work with a variety of vocalists to create their eccentric brand of electronica.
London electronic outfit Is Tropical rose to success after the release of their ‘Native To’ album, which also won ‘Best Animation Video’ and ‘Best Indie Rock Video’ at the UK Music Video Awards. Also joining will be Lancaster duo Bondax with their blend of garage-inspired electronica championed by the likes of Annie Mac and gaining increasing popularity in the blogosphere and LA polymath Robert DeLong, whose unique mash-up of indie and electronica has earned him nominations as a 2013 ‘Artist to Watch’ for MTV US, Billboard and Vibe Magazine.
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Trendsetting DJ, Fool's Gold label head and turntablist A-Trak graces the Dance Stage with a wealth of critical acclaim behind him. Performing at the Grammy’s, sharing a Billboard cover with Diplo and Skrillex and winning a ‘DMC World DJ Championship’ when he was just 15, his performance is sure to be an unforgettable one. Also added is one of the hottest commodities in dance music right now, dubstep heavyweight, Flux Pavillion.
Bristol DJ Redlight has been a staple in club culture for many years, mixing and taking on bass music from dubstep to drum ‘n’ bass and even grime, and it is with pleasure that he joins the Dance Stage this year. Searching out talent from across the hemisphere, Sydney-based duo Jagwar Ma will be acclimatising to the British festival season and warming up the crowds in the Dance Stage. Fresh from supporting The xx, and headlining the NME Awards show, they are gearing up to bring their brand of psychedelic electronica and sunshine bass lines to festival goers.
Also confirmed is rockabilly inspired Willy Moon, hailing from New Zealand, now based in London, Moon promises a mix of hip-hop and 50’s inspired dance music, plus there will be fantasy-laden electro from the former Mellowdrone frontman Big Black Delta and mysterious soulful R ‘n’ B from Night Works.
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Confirmed for this day is LA Moombahton Dillon Francis fusing the genres of reggaeton, moombahton and house music for a truly thrilling bass explosion, fresh from collaborating with Major Lazer, a slew of sell out shows and riotous praise, he will be offering up the best of his distinctive basslines and wobbles. 90’s garage and pop inspired electronica comes courtesy of futuristic pop princess Charli XCX.
Joining them will be drum‘n’bass titans Fred V & Grafix as they gear up for a set that promises bone thudding bass and the best in contemporary and classic drum ‘n’ bass, plus high-octane dance music from Jacob Plant ft. Majestic.
THE LINE-UP FOR THE LOCK UP STAGE GROWS
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The Lock Up Stage this year welcomes Alkaline Trio as headliners for this day. The renowned Illinois punk band will be playing the best of their music, from the punk beginnings of their first albums to the more pop-punk offerings seen on their most recent album ‘My Shame Is True’. Promising to excite their legions of fans, expect an electrifying atmosphere and more than a little bit of moshing.
Joining the Stage will be Australian punk rock/psychobilly band The Living End and Californian metaphoric rock group RX Bandits. For a ferocious dose of post hardcore stylings, catch legendary special guests, New York four-piece Quicksand, one of the most influential bands of their genre in the early to mid-90’s.
Also on the bill are Exeter based rock n rollers The Computers who are about to embark on their highly anticipated UK tour, warming up for our festival crowd!
New York punk rockers Cerebral Ballzy return to Reading & Leeds Festivals after an amazing set on the Festival Republic Stage in 2011; the 80’s punk-inspired skater boys are sure to deliver a memorable live show for the Lock Up crowds.
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Joining Tomahawk on this day will be legendary New York hardcore band Sick Of It All with a punk offering, and for a heavy dose of volume, Reading & Leeds favourites, LA hardcore punk band The Bronx will be on hand. Legendary British ska/punk band King Prawn are back after a 10 year hiatus. The band will bring their unique blend of reggae and hardcore to the Festivals for an unforgettable show.
FIRST NAMES FOR THE NEW ROCK STAGE ANNOUNCED
With the expanded Dance line-up covering three whole days, Reading & Leeds are adding a Rock Stage day to each site, with the first names just announced.
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Enter Shikari unveil..Shikari Sound System. At this year's Reading & Leeds Festivals, Shikari Sound System will make its world debut headlining the Rock Stage.
Shikari Sound System is the electronic alter-ego of the British band Enter Shikari, famous for blurring the lines between musical genres across three (thus far) UK chart Top 5 albums since they hit the wider public consciousness in 2006. Having DJ’d and produced in various side projects over the years they finally decided to fully elope with live dance music, and so was born the Shikari Sound System.
For further explanation, let's hear it from the horse's mouth: "Expect re-worked Enter Shikari tracks along with classic remixes and new surprises. Expect eerie live electronics and tent-peg-dislodging baselines. Expect a tour through many dance tempos and electronic genres that have been a constant inspiration to our band's sound. Combining both live instruments and percussion with dub-plate wizardry, this is one for the skankers, the steppers, the movers and the shakers."
Enter Shikari have a deep history with the Reading & Leeds Festivals – attending as teenagers, and having played the festival five times in the past seven years – and so embraced the opportunity to return once again, albeit in 'disguise'. The band's latest single, a 1min16sec blast of a track, has this week been added to the BBC Radio 1 playlist.
Described as "one of the best British bands of the last decade" by Zane Lowe, Welsh hardcore band Funeral For A Friend will also be playing the Rock Stage this year. The award-winning band are veterans of rock performances, playing alongside Guns N’ Roses, supporting Linkin Park and countless others for over a decade. Hardcore Punk band Gallows return to Reading & Leeds for their seventh consecutive year, bringing their electric live show and guaranteed carnage to the Rock Stage, plus Northern Irish band And So I Watch You From Afar will be playing following on from their recently sold out UK shows and release of their critically acclaimed album.
Japanese metalcore band Crossfaith will be bringing their blend of industrial metal and electronica from Osaka to Reading & Leeds’ very own Rock Stage, as well as alternative rockers Arcane Roots, the three-piece from Surrey are influenced by progressive, experimental and pop-tinged rock which can be heard in their music. For a dose of hard rock, don’t miss British four-piece Heaven’s Basement who have gone from strength to strength since they formed over four years ago and have played alongside the likes of Papa Roach and Black Stone Cherry.
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE WELCOMES NEW ADDITIONS
The Festival Republic Stage showcases the hottest upcoming bands as well as established names, with the first bands for 2013 already confirmed including The Strypes, The 1975, Temples and Swim Deep, Reading & Leeds can now announce many more artists.
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Crystal Fighters take to the headline position with their distinctive mix of acoustic guitar and percussive electronica, as the celebrated British/Spanish dance outfit gear up to release their new album ‘Cave Rave’, with current single ‘You & I’ featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record this week.
Glasgow's Chvrches come fresh from a stellar run at SXSW that saw them collect the festival's inauguaral Grulke Prize for ‘Best International Newcomers’. The prize is just the latest in an ever-increasing list of plaudits for a band championed by Pitchfork and NME, and who came fifth in the BBC ‘Sound of 2013’. Their accessible yet ambitious synth angles, pitched somewhere between Robyn and The Knife, mean Chvrches are equally at home atop the Hypemachine blog chart as supporting Depeche Mode in European arenas.
US alternative rock outfit Surfer Blood join the line-up, the band have been gaining momentum since their appearance on ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’ back in January. Kate Nash is back, after a hiatus, with her new punk direction. Her musical stylings have taken a shift in direction this year with the release of her feminist punk-influenced album ‘Girl Talk’ and recent sold out tour. Also confirmed is soulful Scandinavian electronica courtesy of Karen Marie Ørsted, or MØ. Her sultry vocals have been likened to Grimes and Lou Rhodes and have made her a critics’ favourite.
New York duo MS MR are set to capitalize on their ‘No. 1 on Hype Machine’ status and are tipped to be the first superstars of Chill Wave. This boy/girl duo's singles caused a huge buzz on all the coolest music blogs last year and their debut album ‘Secondhand Rapture’ is set for release in May.
For a dose of Canadian indie, Half Moon Run will be performing for the first time at the festival, after a period opening for Mumford and Sons, the band has been slowly creeping on the radar of Indie fans. The stage also sees talent from Mancunian newcomer Findlay, whose stylish mix of glam-blues vocals and pop production have put her firmly on the critics’ radar this year and Oxford four-piece MMX, who have been hotly tipped after their debut release ‘Cold World’ last year, will be first on.
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Headlining the Festival Republic stage this year is one of Britain's most enigmatic bands, British Sea Power. It's been 10 years since their debut album; expect to hear old favourites as well as tracks from recently released masterpiece ‘Machineries of Joy’. Their sweeping, epic, angular guitar pop has established British Sea Power as a classic alternative act and this headline set will be a euphoric affair.
Post-folk funk groover Lucy Rose made her name as a vocalist in Bombay Bicycle Club before branching out on her own. The singer-songwriter from Warwickshire will be returning to the Festivals after a show-stopping full band set last year and now in receipt of a critically acclaimed debut album ‘Like I Used To’, Lucy will bring her haunting vocal talents to the Festival Republic Stage.
Reading & Leeds are thrilled to announce Tim Burgess, it’s been 10 years since the lead singer of The Charlatans released a solo album, and his blend of Northern soul and Americana will be one of many highlights across the weekend. The Charlatans previously headlined Reading & Leeds in 1999, the first year that Leeds Festival ever took place.
Tampa, Florida trio Merchandise have transcended the punk and hardcore scene and now carry a more thrilling post-punk menace taking their cue from early 90's alternative acts such as Dinosaur JR and the Jesus and Mary Chain. Fuzzy four-piece London based psychedelic band Splashh have been steadily building momentum since last year with rave reviews from The Guardian, NME and a slew of underground blogs. Also on the line-up is punky blues-rock from Drenge, a duo from the Peak District who serve up catchy percussive guitar songs, NY punk garage rockers SKATERS with their unique pop-punk offerings and Belgian pop/rock band Balthazar who have received international acclaim after winning ‘Best Album’ at the Music Industry awards last year with ‘Rats’.
Also added are British folk/rock band To Kill A King who will be playing their unique brand of folk melodies and melancholic indie.
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Headlining the Festival Republic Stage this day are five-piece Indie rockers Spector who have enjoyed rave reviews from the likes of NME, The Guardian and Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, and have gone on to achieve mammoth musical success since their performance at the Reading & Leeds BBC Introducing Stage back in 2011. They return to top the Festival Republic Stage bill with their synth laden guitar riffs and contagious tracks including ‘Chevy Thunder’ for fans to sing-along to.
Ferocious English/American rock band Pure Love, featuring former Gallows frontman Frank Carter and ex-The Hope Conspiracy guitarist Jim Carroll, will perform and expect guitar shredding from UK garage rock The Jim Jones Revue, as they play their distorted blend of bluesy rock. Responsible for one of the year’s most talked-about guitar albums, Parquet Courts will be joining the Festival Republic Stage. The New York punk rockers are hailed for their witty brand of super sharp lyrics and fresh indie sonics and will be bringing the energy to Reading & Leeds this summer.
Excitingly, punk rock garage outfit California X will be making their debut UK performance at the Festivals, English synth-pop outfit Chapel Club return with their distinctive moody indie electronica and US indie electronica duo twenty one pilots join the growing bill. The Family Rain's full on live shows are high octane affairs and these three siblings’ unique brand of hip-hop inspired, dirty blues infused rock 'n' roll has marked them out a band to watch in 2013.
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.
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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 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.
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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.
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 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
Joining the ultra-impressive line-up which already boasts Main Stage headliners Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and The Killers, plus electronic pioneers Kraftwerkalongside The Script, Richie Hawtin, alt-J, Azealia Banks and more are: Adam Beyer, Bastille, Ben Klock & Marcel Dettmann (b2b), British Sea Power, Chase and Status, CHVRCHES, Claude VonStroke, The Courteeners, Deacon Blue, Disclosure, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter & Mark Farina (b2b), Eats Everything, Editors, Emeli Sandé, Everything Everything, Frank Turner, The Fratellis, Frightened Rabbit, The Heavy, Hot Natured, Imagine Dragons, Jackmaster, Jake Bugg, Joy Orbison, Labrinth, The Lumineers, Miles Kane, Modest Mouse, Modestep, Nina Kraviz, Nina Nesbitt, Noah and the Whale, Ocean Colour Scene, Of Monsters and Men, The Original Rudeboys, Palma Violets, Paloma Faith, Peace, The Proclaimers, Rudimental, Seth Troxler, Silicone Soul, Slam, Stereophonics, The Strypes, Tom Odell, Twin Atlantic, Two Door Cinema Club, The View, Villagers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The 1975.
With a back catalogue packed with epic festival anthems, Stereophonics are big T in the Parkfavourites. Having played to massive crowds world-wide and chalking up five UK number one albums along the way, their Best Of compilation A Decade In the Sun sold over a million copies in 2008. With a brand new album Graffiti on the Train on the way in March, they’ll return to T in the Park ready to showcase new material as well as their greatest hits – cue mass singalongs from the Kinross crowd.
The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Frank Turner, Miles Kane, The Horrors and Maverick Sabre are also amongst the first wave of acts to be announced. Festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager will unveil the two Main Stage headline acts that will join The Stone Roses as well as other top acts on Thursday 23rd February.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, House of Pain play Kendal Calling as part of their reunion tour. The act behind one of the most memorable tracks in hip hop history “Jump Around”; multi platinum selling duo House of Pain are in town with a raucous rap show and our Kendal crowd are raring bounce!
With the Glow Dance Stage bursting with world-class beats, Derrick Carter leads the charge. One of the pinnacles of Chicago house music’s 90’s wave, DJ and producer Derrick Carter has a career spanning two decades and will keep the tent pumping with his legendary sound late into the night.