Red Hot Chili Peppers to headline Reading and Leeds 2016

Reading & Leeds Festivals are excited to announce RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS as the first headliners for 2016.

Taking to the main stage for what promises to be a phenomenal headline set as a FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE, Red Hot Chili Peppers are; Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer. Returning to Reading and Leeds Festival nine years after their last performance there, it’s fair to say their live return is highly anticipated. When the band were asked which UK Festival they would like to play next summer, Chad Smith commented “the simultaneous answer was ‘Reading and Leeds’”

Melvin Benn commented:

“I’m thrilled to be able to announce Red Hot Chili Peppers as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2016, as a festival exclusive. Their incredible live show will be an unforgettable headline performance at the UK's biggest music festival. We’ve still got some really exciting names to announce and I can’t wait to reveal the rest of the line up. It’s going to be our best year yet.”

The 1975 will be making a huge appearance at next year’s festival following the release of their highly anticipated second album. With a gargantuan new stage set up and a fiercely dedicated fan base, their appearance is going to be undeniably special.

Mancunian festival favourites Courteeners will also be returning in majestic fashion in 2016, following the release of ‘Concrete Love’ and a huge show in Heaton Park earlier this summer, priming them for a massive performance.

With a famously visceral live show, Twenty One Pilots appearance at Reading & Leeds 2016 looks set to be nothing short of mind blowing, especially in the wake of their November sold-out UK tour and their recent album Blurryface, which topped the Billboard Charts. 2015 has been a huge year for the guys and with another sold out tour under their belts in February and two nights at Madison Square Garden in the summer, 2016 is set to be another incredible year for this band and their performance at Reading & Leeds will definitely cement them as the most exciting band around right now.

Slaves embody some of the emerging talent on offer at the festival, moving into a bigger slot after storming their performance this year, not to mention their Mercury Prize nomination earlier this month.

Slaves commented: 

“It's always a pleasure to play at Reading and Leeds and it's an honour to be invited back to play again in 2016. The crowds have been good to us and we are always very grateful. The line up is always a gooden and we're looking forward to being part of it and taking things up another level this time. See you there xxx”

Another group known for their raucous live shows, HINDS have undoubtedly proved themselves as one of the finest new bands to surface this year, winning crowds over across Europe with their delightfully ramshackle performance, fans will need to look out for their debut Reading and Leeds performance. RAT BOY is also joining the line up – fresh after a summer of huge shows, including last month’s inaugural Community Festival and a recent tour supporting The 1975, hit singles such as ‘Sign On’ and ‘Fake ID’ will no doubt draw huge sing-alongs.

Rat Boy commented:

“It’s gonna be lit!”

Reading & Leeds favourites Crossfaith will no doubt see a crowd of thousands descend on the legendary Japanese rave-metal group’s performance.

Crossfaith commented:

“It is an absolute honour to be invited to legendary rock festival ‘Reading & Leeds’ three years in a row. We are always feeling your big love for us! Can't wait to party and rock with you guys! See you in da pit! Let's make history!”

Kicking off a huge dance line up, the iconic DJ EZ has also been revealed to perform. A master of his craft, EZ has played to crowds all over the world over the last decade, making him the perfect candidate to get the Reading & Leeds crowd moving.

DJ EZ commented:

"I can't wait for these festivals! Looking forward to seeing you there."

Reading and Leeds Festival announce BBC Introducing Stage for 2015

Forever championing up and coming talent, the BBC Introducing Stage is back once again this year offering one of the biggest launch platforms for new music from the UK, having last year offered up sets from the likes of Jack Garratt, Rae Morris, and Prides. Over the years BBC Introducing stage has also hosted R&L debut slots from Jake Bugg, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Spector, the stage is a must visit for anyone wishing to catch future stars’ formative moments.

Headlining the Friday at Reading and the Saturday at Leeds will be hotly tipped genre-masher Georgia whose debut, self-titled album is sure to be one of the alternative hits of the summer. She’ll be joined by Warrington based indie poppers Viola Beach, Bristol grunge-rock quartet The Jacques, Reading locals The Amazons, singer-songwriter Martin Luke Brown, electronic trio Moon Tourists, Hull alternative four piece LIFE and metalcore heavyweights Return To Rome.

Saturday at Reading and Sunday at Leeds will see the stage headlined by hotly-tipped, freshly signed Liverpool band Clean Cut Kid whose whip-smart pop is surely destined for the festival’s bigger stages! Also appearing on the stage that day are Leeds genre-spanners Clay, NME-tipped rock ’n’ rollers Demob Happy, Glasgow art-pop quintet White, indie-rock songwriter John Joseph Brill, folk punk band Ducking Punches, the psychedelic garage of Crosa Rosa as well as Reading rockers Area 52.

Closing the weekend at Reading on the Sunday and headlining the first night on Friday at Leeds will be the massively up and coming, high energy band Childcare. Their playful debut EP Flush has garnered a huge amount of attention and with good reason; they are not to be missed. Joining them are moody London alt-rockersThe Big Moon, Telford newcomers Hyena, 60s beat influenced group Hidden Charms, DIY surf-rock songwriterWillie J Healey, blues-rock duo Kit Trigg, Leeds electronic pop artist Skinner and brooding dream-pop bandR51.

The stage also plays host to Irish grunge-pop band Otherkin, the infectious pop of Vitamin, experimental duoMalpas and Paul Weller championed Brighton five piece White Room alongside Centre Stage Competition winners The Mallrats as well as Futuresound Competition runners up Treason KingsSamuel S. ParkesHappy DaggersWhere Fires Are and NARCS.

With something for everyone and the cream of the UK’s upcoming talent on display, the BBC Introducing Stage is the place to be for any discerning new music fan.

Dance lineup confirmed for Relentless Stage at Leeds Festival

Known as the latest and loudest stage at Leeds Festival, the Relentless Stage returns for 2015 with another mega party line-up. Headlining each night are leading names in dance and electronic music, including Bondax, Mau5trap Presents Special Guests, DJ EZ and Modestep (DJ set).
 
The Relentless Stage continues the party vibe as it has done in previous years, with music kicking off from 8pm every night going straight through until 3am. The eponymous 3-d image mapped stage is back in the same location, nestled amongst the trees, between the Orange and Red campsites.
 
Kicking off the first night of the festival in style is none other than electronic duo Bondax, backed by Fono, and Relentless’s Here to be Heard DJ competition 2014 winner, Luke Hassan.
 
Ravers should get to the Relentless Stage early on Friday night for an incredible line-up presented by Mau5trap featuring some very special guest appearances. Watch this space…
 
Saturday night will be a showcase of London talent, with garage legend, DJ EZ, showing us why he’s still king of the festival party. He will be supported by Rinse FM regular, Oneman, and NTS’s record maker, player and mixer, Martelo.
 
There's no let up on Sunday, the final night, as London-based dubstep and electronic rock band Modestep take to the stage with a late-night DJ set. He will be backed by electronic / dubstep favourite Culprate as well as this year’s Relentless’s yet-to-be-decided Here to be Heard DJ competition winner – check out http://relentlesshtbh.com/ for the latest news on the competition. 

Reading & Leeds 2015 Announce Alternative Stage And Transgressive Takeover

With eight weeks to go until the Festival gates open, the line-up for the Alternative Stage at Reading & Leeds has been announced. With tickets for both sites still available there’s never been a better time to buy a ticket. On top of the already huge line-up including headlinersMumford and Sons, Metallica and The Libertines comes a host of the best in comedy and alternative talent from the UK and beyond plus the annual after-hours takeover from Transgressive Records.
 
Heading up proceedings on the comedy front is TV favourite Milton Jones, whose regular appearances on ‘Mock The Week’ along withmultiple Radio 4 shows has made him the leader of the pack when it comes to deadpan comedy. With sidesplitting one-liners aplenty, his Reading & Leeds performance is not to be missed. Bringing the jokes outside of the 140 character limit, Rob Delaney will also be making appearances at Reading & Leeds, proving his worth as an acclaimed stand up comedian after finding fame through making jokes on Twitter. Also heading for Leeds will be Adam Buxton of BBC6 Music fame who will perform his BFI London show BUG. TV joker Russell Kane will also be bringing his hugely popular brand of comedy to the festival, offering a rare chance to see the funnyman outside of the huge venues he’s already playing around the country.
 
With a line-up also including the brilliant ‘Stand Up For The Week’ regular and star of BBC’s Twenty Twelve Sara Pascoe and Canadian Comedy star Katherine Ryan who was a breakout star on Live At The Apollo both of whom who you’ll have seen on Never Mind The BuzzcocksQIHave I Got News For You and Mock The Week. They are joined by wild haired standup and Virtually Famous TV star Seann Walsh, fast rising UK star Daniel Sloss and ‘Show Me The Funny’ finalist Tiffany Stevenson, The Alternative Stage is truly one of the must see parts of the festival.
 
The comedy bill expands even further with the delightfully cutting Stephen K Amos, the hugely inventive Abandoman, Radio 1 star Tom Deacon, the man from TV’s Uncle and Heavy Entertainment; Nick Helm, panel-show favourite the hilarious Holly Walsh, the fearlessly funnySuzi Ruffell, metalhead Andrew O’Neill, comedian and captain of ITV’s Reality Bites Joel Dommett, online superstar, fantastic comic and Beyoncé enthusiast Luisa Omielan, impractical joker Paul McCaffrey,Viral Tap and Xtra Factor star Matt Richardson, Edinburgh 2014 Best Newcomer Award winner Alex Edelman, BBC regular and break out star Dane Baptiste, Magician and Comic just returned from dazzling Las Vegas the side-splittingly funny Piff The Magic Dragon, sketch icons Wit Tank, fast-rising star David Morgan the newly announced co-host of ITV’s SafeWord, and finally everyone’s favourite from Channel 4’s Mr Drew’s School for Boys teacher and rapper, Mark Grist.
 
The famous Alternative Stage is far more than just another festival comedy tent though, as it bills some of the best in forward thinking music and spoken word. Fast gaining a name as one of the UK’s most vital talents after appearing on the BBC Sound of 2015 longlist, George The Poet will be bringing his incredible, realistic, unafraid hybrid of spoken word and hip hop to the festival, which is sure to be an unforgettable moment of the weekend. Another huge name joining the bill is Jaguar Skills who will be spinning some of his most notable, eclectic, multi-genre mixes, alongside London-based electronica and Techno producer Max Cooper who is making his Leeds Festival debut. 
 
On top of this, Transgressive’s annual takeover brings together another hotly anticipated late-night line-up to Reading & Leeds. Fresh after celebrating their 10th anniversary at the festival last year, the independent label is bringing another specially curated bill that is their biggest yet. Hi-jacking the Saturday and Sunday nights in Leeds, the stage will run from 9.30pm until late, featuring a host of emerging and established talent throughout the weekend. Grime hero Wiley will be bringing his fantastic and ferocious live show to the tent in the wake of his critically acclaimed album Snakes and Ladders, released at the end of 2014 to huge fanfare. Looking to the future stars of the genre, Novelist will be also be making an appearance, while the likes of JackmasterMadame X and DJ Target will get crowds moving throughout the weekend.
 
Transgressive will be taking over Reading by bringing Dj-ing talent to a Silent Disco in the Alternative Stage courtesy of Alt JPalma Violets,Peace and BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens and Jen Long, which looks set to be nothing short of spectacular.
 
All of this sits alongside parties from Buttoned Down Disco and a series of extra special DJ sets from The Libertines’ Gary Powell and The Kooks’ Hugh Harris for Propaganda.

Reading and Leeds Festival add more acts to their lineup for 2015

With a huge bill topped by festival headliners MetallicaMumford & Sons and The Libertines plus a supporting cast of some of the world’s biggest names in music including Kendrick LamarAlt J and Bring Me The Horizon, the already bursting Reading & Leeds Festival lineup is now bolstered by even more incredible names.

MAIN STAGE

With the Main Stage lineup already providing a huge number of must-see acts across this summer’s bank holiday weekend,Mariachi El Bronx return to the prestigious opening slot to bring festival crowds their signature brand of traditional mariachi and feel good pop for a set that is sure to bring the sunshine. The LA punks, The Bronx, will also play The Lock up Stage.

NME/BBC RADIO 1 STAGE

Taking the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage on the Friday at Reading and Saturday at Leeds, The Struts will be making their R&L debut this year; treating crowds to their potent mix of indie and glam rock as found on last years ‘Everybody Wants’ LP. Having played support to The Rolling Stones last year, they are truly a world-class rock act.

Since forming in 2009 Chicago, Illinois natives Twin Peaks have continued to build on the buzz surrounding their furious brand of garage punk. Heading for Reading on the Saturday and Sunday at Leeds, theirs is a set not to be missed. 

To say that British songwriter and producer Shura has a bright future ahead of her would be a complete understatement. With standout headline shows under her belt and armed with tracks like the smooth electro-pop of recent Radio 1 championed single ‘2Shy’, expect huge crowds on Sunday at Reading and Friday at Leeds. 

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Dance music enthusiasts can once again rejoice as the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage once again brings only the finest acts from across the world together under one roof.

Joining this year’s lineup are Australian hitmaker Hayden James, German deep-house wizard Ferdinand Weber, a very special live set from DJ Fresh, Irish favourites Riptide Movement, live electronic duo Maribou State, pop starlet Petite Meller and The Six

THE LOCK UP/PIT STAGE

A host of exciting new names have been announced for The Lock Up/Pit stage, including The Bronx and Progressive metal legends Baroness. Japanese noise-mongers Bo Ningen will bring their visceral, undeniably unique sound to a mid-afternoon slot on Friday Reading / Saturday Leeds. Earlier in the day the gloriously destructive God Damn will be proving why so much hype has surrounded them in recent months. Vant will also be opening proceedings with Skinny Lister.Elsewhere throughout the weekend, No Devotion and As It Is join a mammoth lineup on Saturday Reading / Sunday Leeds, further proving why The Lock Up / Pit Stage is one of the festival’s most exciting, diverse areas on site.

FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE

The Festival Republic Stage remains the area of the festivals with a focus on both emerging and established alternative talent. Having appeared on the BBC Sound of 2015 longlist earlier this year, Sunset Sons‘ fresh brand of beachside indie has built a huge fan base who will no doubt pack out the tent Friday Reading / Saturday Leeds. Scottish synth-poppersNeon Waltz play Saturday Reading / Sunday Leeds having drawn critical acclaim from blogs around the world whilst Spring King fuse visceral indie with modern pop charm.

Seether and The Last Internationale complete the current announcement, rounding off an incredible stage lineup that features the best alternative talent the world has to offer.

BBC 1XTRA STAGE

Further proving the vital place of Hip Hop and Urban music at R&L, more names have also been added to the hugely popular BBC 1XTRA Stage. Bringing together 80’s pop hooks with a 60’s aesthetic, Brighton’s Remi Miles will open the stage Saturday Reading / Sunday Leeds.

Fresh after collaborating with Jamie XX, unlikely rap hero Young Thug will also be making a rare appearance Friday Leeds / Saturday Reading, bringing a barrage of hits that prove impossible not to shout along to.

Sibling production / DJ duo Star.One also join the lineup, perfectly encapsulating the diverse and groundbreaking nature of both the BBC 1xtra Stage, and Reading and Leeds as a whole.

Alexisonfire come together at Reading and Leeds Festival

ALEXISONFIRE have announced they will come together for a series of summer festivals. They have made Reading and Leeds their exclusive European performance.

The classic lineup of George Pettit, Chris Steele, Wade MacNeil, Dallas Green and Jordan ‘Ratbeard’ Hastings will come back to British soil for the first time since they briefly reunited for a worldwide 10th anniversary tour in 2012.

One of the biggest bands to come out of Canada’s underground music scene, Alexisonfire released four successful albums internationally, and amassed a legion of fans all over the world.

ALEXISONFIRE play the Main Stage on Saturday at Reading and Sunday at Leeds, joining headliners Metallica alongside Bring Me The Horizon, Royal Blood, Pierce The Veil and Marmozets.

Mumford & Sons and The Libertines will also headline the Festivals this August Bank Holiday

The Libertines will headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2015

Reading & Leeds Festivals are thrilled to announce The Libertines as the final of this year’s Main Stage headliners!  The indie-rockers will bring the good ship Albion to the Festivals this summer, cementing a Reading & Leeds legacy which dates back to 2002.  

Rising up through the Festivals’ billing, the legendary troubadours Peter Doherty, Carl Barât, Gary Powell and John Hassall made their Main Stage debut in 2003 and returned in 2004. The band blew the crowds away in 2010 when they famously reunited at the Festivals and now, for the first time, they will take their rightful place as Reading & Leeds headliners. With their long awaited new record in the works, their set will undoubtedly be one of the defining moments of Reading & Leeds 2015.

In an exclusive video message, Peter Doherty said

I’ve just woken up and I can’t stop thinking about playing at Reading & Leeds.”

John Hassall said

"Really excited to be playing Reading and Leeds this year. There is a great vibe in the band and we should be doing some new songs too. So it'll be the best Reading and Leeds ever!”

Gary Powell said

"We are all extremely happy to be playing Reading and Leeds this year.  As Reading and Leeds was the festival that graciously allowed us to perform back in 2010 at our first attempt at reforming, and the audience were amazing in their reception of us, it seems only right that we go back to the scene of the crime and do our best to not only replicate what we did back then – but do better, for the fans and friends we have met along the way. Here’s wishing 'us all' luck come R&L. We’ve all got a lot of work to do!!!!I for one am excited for the challenge and looking forward to seeing everybody!"

Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:

“What a band to announce as our third headliner. The Libertines are part of the Reading & Leeds family and I can’t wait for the boys to walk on to our Main Stages in their rightful place at the top of the bill.

“I’m excited to announce over 50 other phenomenally talented acts today who will bring amazing performances for our fans. I really think we’ve got the ultimate line-up this year. Where else can you see Kendrick Lamar on the same day as Deadmau5 and Years & Years, or Marmozets on the same day as Azealia Banks or Metallica, or All Time Low on the same day as Knife Party or Mumford & Sons!

“It’s almost exactly six months to the Festivals and I already can’t wait until August Bank Holiday weekend.

"Having spent some time reviewing the ticket price and talking to people about it I felt that where we had got to with the day price was too high and once I really examined it decided to go the whole hog and reduce it to £59.50. However, anyone thinking it’s a way to get the weekend including camping cheaper will be disappointed. It will not give access to the campsite as I'm creating new entrances for day ticket holders. It’s still great though for those that don't want to camp." 

 Over fifty further names are also revealed today, joining artists already announced for the Festivals including Main Stage headliners Mumford & Sons and Metallica, proving that Reading & Leeds is the Festival for true music fans.

MAIN STAGE

On the Friday at Reading and Saturday at Leeds, pop-punkers All Time Low will return to the Festival for the first time since 2012 with eagerly anticipated new album ‘Future Hearts’ in tow.

Sheffield’s Bring Me The Horizon have established themselves as the UK’s biggest and best metal crossover act, and will follow up their all-conquering sold out Wembley Arena headline show last year with a set immediately before Metallica on the Main Stage on Saturday at Reading / Sunday at Leeds. Their performance at the Festivals this summer is a European exclusive.

Grammy nominated rapper Kendrick Lamar will showcase his unparalleled ability and powerful wordplay in his debut performance at the Festivals, creative indie rock heroes The Maccabees will take the Main Stage and will play some tracks from their forthcoming album, Wakefield rock band and NME Outstanding Contribution to Music Winners The Cribs whose hotly anticipated new album ‘For All My Sisters’ will be released this March.

Panic! At The Disco will bring their incredible grown up pop-rock and infectious hooks back to the Main Stage, along with anthemic rock quintet Lonely The Brave, who return following their hugely successful set in 2014.

Pop Punk’s most exciting new band Neck Deep have set course for Reading & Leeds this summer to demonstrate exactly why they were named ‘Best Newcomer’ at last year’s Kerrang! Awards and West Yorkshire Festival favourites Marmozets will bring their incendiary live set back to Reading & Leeds as they graduate to Main Stage billing.

NME/BBC RADIO 1 STAGE

Following the release of their debut studio album ‘Abandon Ship’ late last year, electronic dance duo Knife Party return to the Festivals this summer for an extra special closing set on the Friday at Reading and Saturday at Leeds.

American rock band Limp Bizkit and rap prodigy Tyler, The Creator also join the bill, along with Birmingham indie poppers Swim Deep, inventive British art rock band Everything Everything, indie rock quartet Peace and North London production duo Gorgon City.Also revealed today are Math rock legends American Football, Liverpudlian band of the moment Circa Waves, beat-maker and prolificproducer Jamie XX, leftfield pop musicians Glass Animals, emotionally charged Pennsylvania four-piece The Districts and Punk duo Slaves.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Boy Better Know featuring JME, Skepta, Wiley, Shorty, Solo 45, Maximum, Jammer & Frisco will be headlining the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage on the Sunday at Reading and the Friday at Leeds.  Headed up by JME, brother Skepta and Wiley, they are the leading collective in Grime. 

 Also performing across the weekend are drum & bass duo Camo & Krooked, producer and techno artist Brodinski, Scottish production wizard Hudson Mohawke, mysterious R ’n’ B maestro Ben Kahn and My Nu Leng, who will bring their big bounding beats to the Festival. London based feel-good House duo Toyboy & Robin, New York electric pop duo Cardiknox, geek-step Midlander FTSE, electronic producer Porter Robinson presents his incredible Worlds live show, LA DJ Dillon Francis, and self-proclaimed ‘sad dance’ musician Tourist will also be performing.

THE LOCK UP/PIT STAGE

As one of the most influential pop punk bands of all time, and with a rich history at Reading & Leeds, New Found Glory return to headline The Lock Up on Friday at Reading / Saturday at Leeds. Three-time Grammy nominated titans of metal Mastodon will take top billing on Saturday at Reading / Sunday at Leeds.

Canadian hardcore heavyweights Cancer Bats also join the line-up, along with ex-My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero, who brings his new project FrnkIero Andthe Cellabration. Swedish theatrical metallers Ghost, technical death metal band Gojira and reunited hardcore legends Modern Life Is War will rock the stage across the weekend. Anthemic punkers The Menzingers, Sheffield’s top metal band While She Sleeps, Southampton five piece Bury Tomorrow and rockers Simple Plan are also revealed for the Festival bill.

FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE

All three Festival Republic Stage headliners are revealed in today’s announcement, with a very special set from Django Django closing the stage on Friday at Reading / Saturday at Leeds. Indie rock veterans The Wombats will headline the stage on Saturday at Reading / Sunday at Leeds and fan favourite Frank Turner will bring a special solo set to Reading on Sunday / Leeds on Friday.

Legendary Irish rockers Ash will make a welcome return to Reading & Leeds, building on a rich history with the Festivals dating back to their first performance at Reading in 1995. Having recently announced their new album, their set will be yet another classic performance providing the soundtrack to the summer.

Also performing on the stage will be Canadian indie-pop quintet Alvvays, fast rising rockers Coasts, grunge revivalists Darlia and Australian indie sensation DMA’s. The soaring melodies of Jake Isaac, folky Sydney trio Little May, the socially observant hip-hop/rock of Ratboy, American baroque pop band San Fermin, young South Londoners The Bulletproof Bomb, the soaring rock of We Are The Ocean, irish rock-pop five piece Walking On Cars and Missouri garage punk brothers Radkey make the Festival Republic Stage the one-stop shop for all things on the rise, alongside some of the biggest names in music.

BBC 1XTRA STAGE

Now a well-established feature of Reading & Leeds, the BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage will bring the absolute best in urban music across the three days of the Festival. Co-headlining on the Friday at Reading and the Saturday at Leeds are Harlem trap lord A$AP Ferg and hazy Brooklyn hip hop crew Flatbush Zombies, providing an incredible East coast double header of real rap music. Having finally dropped her long awaited debut album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’ late last year, Azealia Banks returns to Reading & Leeds for one of her characteristically high octane live sets to headline the 1Xtra Stage on Saturday at Reading and Sunday at Leeds.

With one final headliner still to be revealed for the stage, the tent will host sets from Miami bass turntablist Craze, South London hip hop duo Krept & Konan, grime hero and UK trailblazer Lethal Bizzle and the fresh sounds of Essex rapper Nick Brewer. The line-up grows even further with the addition of genre-blurring urban DJ Oneman and the unique dream-rap of Pell. New York natives Ratking are one of the purest voices of modern underground rap music and this year marks their debut R&L performance alongside MOBO Award ‘Best Grime Act’ and BBC Sound Of runner up Stormzy. Brotherly hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd are also announced today.

Newly announced today:

The Libertines (Headliner)

 A$AP Ferg

All Time Low

Alvvays

American Football

Ash

Azealia Banks

Ben Kahn

Boy Better Know

Bring Me The Horizon (European Festival Exclusive)

Brodinski

Bury Tomorrow

Camo & Krooked

Cancer Bats

Cardiknox

Circa Waves

Coasts

Craze

Darlia

Dillon Francis

Django Django

DMA’s

Everything Everything

Flatbush Zombies

Frank Turner (solo)

Frnkiero Andthe Cellabration
 

FTSE

Ghost

Glass Animals

Gojira

Gorgon City

Hudson Mohawke

Jake Isaac

Jamie XX

Kendrick Lamar

Knife Party

Krept & Konan

Lethal Bizzle

Limp Bizkit

Little May

Lonely The Brave

Marmozets

Mastodon

Modern Life Is War

My Nu Leng

Neck Deep

New Found Glory

Nick Brewer

Oneman

Panic! At the Disco

Peace

Pell

Porter Robinson

Radkey

Rae Sremmurd

Rat Boy

Ratking

San Fermin

Simple Plan

Slaves

Stormzy

Swim Deep

The Bulletproof Bomb

The Districts

The Maccabees

The Menzingers

The Wombats

Toyboy & Robin

Tourist

Tyler, The Creator

Walking On Cars

We Are The Ocean

While She Sleeps

 

Already announced:

Metallica (Headliner and UK Festival Exclusive)

Mumford & Sons (Headliner and England & Wales Festival Exclusive)

Bastille (England & Wales Festival Exclusive)

Catfish and The Bottlemen

Deadmau5

Hannah Wants

Jack Garratt

Jamie T

Manchester Orchestra

Pierce The Veil

Pretty Vicious

Rebel Sound

Refused

Royal Blood (UK Summer Festival Exclusive)

Run The Jewels

Wilkinson (Live)

Wolf Alice

Years & Years

Mumford and Sons to headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2015

Reading & Leeds Festivals are very excited to announce Mumford & Sons as Main Stage headliners!  The British rock band last appeared at Reading & Leeds in 2010 when they performed a triumphant set to a packed NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage. The band return to Reading & Leeds just four years later as Festival headliners.  

Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:

“I’m delighted to have secured Mumford & Sons for Main Stage headliners this summer and can’t wait to see them return to the Festivals for their first UK performance in over two years. With today’s announcement of a further eight great acts joining the bill, the Reading & Leeds line-up is already shaping up to be one of the best ever and I’m looking forward to revealing the third headliner and even more great artists soon.”

Reading & Leeds continue to tear-up the festival season by securing performances from some of the biggest bands around.

Royal Blood bring what the NME memorably described as an “absolute turbo bastard of a rock record” to Reading & Leeds exclusively this summer; the duo’s unique take on drums and bass has seen their self-titled debut sell almost a million copies worldwide to date.

Bastille are no strangers to the Festivals, having debuted on the Festival Republic Stage in 2012 then returned to storm the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage in 2013.

As one of the biggest progressive-house producers in the world, deadmau5 promises to use incredible live production to give Reading & Leeds fans one of the biggest dance sets of the weekend.

Supergroup Rebel Sound formed of Chase & StatusRageDavid Rodigan and Shy FX combine reggae and dancehall beats through to drum ‘n’ bass and jungle – Chase & Status gave Reading & Leeds ‘crowd destroying’ sets in 2013; fans won’t know what is going hit them this summer.

Chase & Status said: "The last time we played Reading & Leeds, the crowd were insane and we had to stop the set four times – there was so much energy. This year, we’re coming back as Rebel Sound, Culture Clash Champions 2014 – ourselves and Rage, David Rodigan and Shy FX. We’ve only performed together once and it’s safe to say that night was incredible. We’re already preparing the new dubs…can’t wait to see what the Reading & Leeds crowd will bring this summer.”

Having spent years on the road honing their craft Catfish and The Bottlemen’s debut LP ‘The Balcony’ saw them catapulted into the public consciousness. With a sold out tour on the horizon including two nights at the legendary Brixton Academy, Reading & Leeds is the perfect place to catch tunes like their irrepressible single ‘Cocoon’.

The band said: "Made up to announce that we'll be back at this year’s Reading and Leeds! Last year really was a gamechanger for us and one of, if not the best shows we've ever done! This year's gonna blow it away…"

After recently topping the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, London’s Years & Years will be making their Reading & Leeds debut. Bringing their expertly considered pop melodies to the Festival to perform singles, ‘Desire’ ‘Take Shelter’ and ‘King,’ they'll show why they've been deservedly crowned stars.

The band said: "Wooooo we are so excited to be playing Reading and Leeds Festival! We'll be bringing three times as many synths as Metallica – can't wait to party with you all."

Lead by the beautiful, melancholy vocals of lead singer Ellie Rowsell, North London’s Wolf Alice craft skuzzy grunge-pop of a quality that has seen them championed by media and fans who have pushed them up through the ranks of Reading & Leeds.

Youthful indie-punk four piece hailing from Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh Valleys, Pretty Vicious have already received daytime BBC Radio 1 support from the likes of Fearne Cotton and Greg James. The band’s set is sure to turn heads at the Festivals this summer.

Mesmerising singer and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt will be returning to Reading & Leeds this summer with his spellbinding vocals, triggered samples and amazing guitar solos.

Hannah Wants began the year named as Mixmag’s breakthrough DJ of 2014 and will make her Reading & Leeds debut with her hard-hitting, heavy bass sound. Hannah’s bound to put her mark on the Festivals when she drops her hit ‘Rhymes’.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL

Newly announced today:

Mumford & Sons (Headliner: England and Wales Festival Exclusive)

Royal Blood (UK Summer Festival Exclusive)

Bastille (England and Wales Festival Exclusive)

Deadmau5

Rebel Sound feat. Chase & Status and Rage, David Rodigan and Shy FX

Catfish and The Bottlemen

Years & Years

Wolf Alice

Pretty Vicious

Jack Garratt

Hannah Wants

Previously announced:

Metallica (Headliner and UK Festival Exclusive)

Jamie T

Pierce The Veil

Wilkinson (Live)

Run The Jewels

Refused

Manchester Orchestra

Metallica to headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2015

Reading & Leeds Festivals are excited to announce undisputed global superstars Metallica as the first headliners for 2015 in a UK Festival Exclusive performance. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Rob Trujillo will take to the Main Stage next August Bank Holiday Weekend to provide a defining moment of the 2015 festival season.

Returning to the prestigious headline spot for a record fourth time in 2015, the band have a rich history at the Festivals, having first headlined Reading Festival 18 years ago. With a career spanning over three decades and more than 110 million records sold across the world, Metallica are undoubtedly one of the biggest and best live acts on the planet. Their critically acclaimed film ‘Some Kind of Monster’ will be re-released on December 15th, available for the first time digitally and on Blu-ray, and including ‘Metallica: This Monster Lives’, a brand new 25-minute feature following up on the last decade with the band.

Lars Ulrich from Metallica says:

We are obviously beyond thrilled to be returning to headline the magnificent and mighty double shot at Reading & Leeds for the fourth time. We are practically the house band. Bring it!”

Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:

“I’m excited to be able to announce Metallica as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2015. Their amazing live show promises to be a favourite with rock, metal and genuine music fans at the UK's most important music festival, perfectly topping a bill of brilliant acts from across the genres. I’m looking forward to revealing the rest of the Festival line up, which will feature the absolute best of rock, indie, dance and hip hop and will only add to the amazing atmosphere that make Reading & Leeds so special.”

Following this year’s explosive secret set at Reading, Jamie T will make the trip to both Festival sites in 2015. Fresh from a hugely successful sold out UK tour and the release of third album ‘Carry On The Grudge’ this autumn, Jamie T is one of the hottest acts of the moment and an exciting addition to the Festival line-up.

Fresh from their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Californian post-hardcore favourites Pierce The Veil will be making their long-awaited Reading & Leeds debut in 2015.

Vic Fuentes from the band comments:

"We've been dying to do these Festivals ever since we started touring in the UK!  It's such an honour to be a part of something that people wait all year round to see.”

With his set this year proving to be one of the defining moments on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, drum ‘n’ bass maestro Wilkinson is no stranger to Reading & Leeds. Stepping up his live show yet another notch following his ‘Lazers Not Included’ tour, he will be returning to the Festival in 2015.

Headlining The Pit Stage, Refused have become one of the most influential heavy bands of a generation. The Swedish punk band’s now legendary album ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come’ fused noisy hardcore, post-punk, techno and jazz to create an entirely original sound. Since reforming for shows in 2012, the band have returned stronger than ever with a live set that shows the true scope of their musical legacy.

With two critically acclaimed albums released in the last two years, Run The Jewels are arguably the hottest hip-hop act on the planet. Making their Reading & Leeds debut next year, rap veterans Killer Mike and El-P’s performance will be essential Festival viewing.

Manchester Orchestra will make their third trip to Reading & Leeds in 2015. Following the release of fourth album ‘Cope’ and this year’s stripped down alternate version ‘Hope’, their appearances at the Festivals will be a summer highlight for indie-rock fans.

Leeds Festival 2014 Weekend Review

Leeds Fest 2014 began with an extra-early bang, with the introduction of bands and comedians on the Thursday night.

I myself plumped for the madcap comedic stylings of Adam Buxton, the bearded half of 90's comedy duo Adam & Joe, as a result of the tirade of rain which unleashed itself on the site on Thursday evening. Whilst the comedy tent itself offered shelter from the elements, Buxton's wacky style of humour failed to warm many of the on-lookers, although his unique blend of using his laptop to show us all strange goings-on from the internet, to his own home videos was a great idea for a comedy show- I can imagine if it wasn't the precursor to a weekend of music and camping, it would be pretty enjoyable. 

As it was, once the rain had cleared, it was over to the Relentless Stage, situated in a tree-lined strip inbetween the thriving campsites of Red and Orange, following the closure of the stage during 2013's torrential weather. DJ's like Zane Lowe, DJ Fresh and Klaxons were due for the three days, but we had fun nonetheless as the riotous atmosphere was a great set-up for the upcoming weekend.

With a few bleary eyes and banging heads (althoughI like to blame that on camping just a tad too close to the campsite DJ!), Friday was kicked off for me with a slice of the ultra-cool Jungle. A mysterious act made up of an array of vocalists, guitarists, keyboardists and drummers, many of whom do some serious multi-tasking, the West London band were pretty excellent. Sure extensive falsetto vocals can wane on even the most hardened of fans after a while, but when the beats were as fresh and bouncy as they were in the NME/Radio tent, you don’t mind. After an excellent LP and summer festival shows, they have proven there worth, even getting a pre-Clean Bandit crowd to loosen up and lose themselves in the sultry grooves.

Band of the moment, Clean Bandit were next up, and showed surprisingly that there is more to them than mega-hit ‘Rather Be’. No, their live show was assured, confident and FUN! Their unique twist on the genre is intriguing, throwing in classical music influences alongside the bass beats we’re more accustomed too, aswell as the familiarity of guest vocalists peppering the majority of tracks. They weren’t mind-bending, but packed out the tent and offered heaps of fun and innocent pop music for those who wanted it.

The Kooks are another band that bring back memories of adolescence for those of a certain age, and their new wave of sound, with increased R&B influences did certainly not disappoint. Infact, whilst they didn’t match solid favourites ‘Naïve’ and ‘Seaside’ for the sing-a-long aspect, it’s arguable that new singles ‘Down’ and ‘About Town’ were the best performances of their set. The new album releases this week, and it’ll be very interesting to see whether it can revive what many thought to be another band lost to the ages. Based on this performance, the Kooks could stay with us for while.

To many Macklemore & Ryan Lewis seem wildly out of place on a Reading & Leeds bill, their chart-friendly beats and raps surely not acceptable at such a venue? Such things are simply not true though, as Macklemore proved with a friendly, yet humoured stage presence and half a set of gold. That is the one issue I had with this set, it was far too long for the one album rapper, who actually, rather embarrassingly, played the same song twice. But that aside, his song introductions may have been to mask the extended set length, but he made it work- just.

Man-children, Blink-182 made it three times they had headlined both Reading and Leeds sites, the first for four years and ahead of a new album rumoured to be released to the world by the turn of 2014.

Kicking off with ‘Feeling This’, the US rockers breezed through their set, peppering song breaks with some genuinely crude, hilarious humour and entertaining the masses excellently with their extensive back catalogue.The crowd of course reacted magnificently to all-time hit ‘All The Small Things’, but then this was Friday night of Leeds 2014, it was heaving and pits were breaking out all over the inside barrier.

The trio of songs that made up the encore summed up the evening for the Americans; ‘Violence’ a breath-taking tune that allows every band member to step up to the plate, ‘Dammit’ a veritable classic that the first strokes of the guitar riff sent everyone into a fit of excitement, and ‘Family Reunion’, a 40 second tune that manages to pack in all of the band’s trademark crude humour in an expletive-ridden blast.

One way to blast out any morning cobwebs are Derbyshire duo, Drenge. The much-hyped two are loud and fast, known for thrashing away at their instruments and barely stopping to acknowledge their audience. This mid-afternoon slot was not dissimilar to the expectations, they were impressive if straightforward, more new tunes alongside those from their self-titled LP would’ve been nice, but after a year of touring, I’d expect them to hit the studio and get more content to take their live show truly to the next level.

Firm R&L festival favourites, Enter Shikari appeared for their sixth straight festival (in more than one guise!), with circle hits in abundance as frontman Rou Reynolds took time to sprint across the Main Stage, kick out at amps and generally cause a bit of a racket- but a good racket nonetheless! Shikari have grown at this festival, as has their sound, but they know how to work their crowd and how to entertain the masses, even if they’ve never truly broken out into the mainstream, but you know what…I think they prefer things that way!

Vampire Weekend were a band I had been waiting to see ever since their inception as an act, a trio of album in and the NYC collective were incredible. They hit every right note, from Exra Koening having the nerve to play the set in a full grey tracksuit, to the imperious moods they created, from the heart-melding ‘Walcott’ the riotous ‘A-Punk’, to an exclusive track never played live before, ‘California English’, they were exceptional. The start of the set saw one of the day’s torrential downpours, but by its crescendo, the sun was beating down on a magnificent performance.

Josh Homme and Queens of the Stone Age were up first, having closed the previous night at Reading. The band put on a simply brilliant rock show, with thrills in the shape of some impressive laser-shows and some mind-melting guitar-driven beasts of songs. The energy from the band was subtle, growing and growing with each tune. ‘No One Knows’ as song number two was a daring choice, but paid off handsomely as newbies ‘My God Is The Sun’ and ‘Smooth Sailing’ more than benefitted from the buzz generated. Classics like ‘Feel Good Hit of The Summer’ and ‘Make It Wit Chu’ ensured that ardent fans were catered for too, although personally I felt that the fresher songs from 2013’s ‘…Like Clockwork’ were those more warmly received and those better performed generally.

The last coupling of ‘Go With The Flow’ and ‘A Song For The Dead’ were awesome. The latter allowed drummer Jon Theodore to take centre stage, with a sizzling drum solo, it was a song that the band performed with such intensity and vigour, it was hard to take your eyes away from it. And that was that from Queens, a band who managed to surpass my sky-high expectations.

Hoping to shake off the electrical problems which had plagued them the previous night at Reading, Hayley Williams and Paramore, started off by complimenting QOTSA and brought out an extensive light show as they closed the night. The first half of the show was full of the old fan favourites, with a big sing-a-long for ‘The Only Exception’. As a result, the second lacked the punch of the first, with many of the recent self-titled record, which featured a distinct change of sound, making it up. I felt Williams was as good a leader as a band could hope for, fully of charisma and energy, but the performance didn’t connect with myself as much as it did with the ravenous crowd, who screamed and applauded for Williams and co in their droves.

Closing off the night the co-headliners rocked with a stint in the Silent Disco was a good choice. The tent, which had to be closed in 2013 due to high winds, was packed to the brim and offered great variety of current and past pop hits on one channel, with the other devoted to the rock the Reading & Leeds fanbase are more accustomed too. However, it was nice mixing it up every now and then, the atmosphere crackling into life every time a sing-song came on, with each DJ encouraging their sides to make some noise, always a great experience.

The last day of Leeds Fest 2014 saw the much-anticipated Royal Blood finally play, ahead of their just released debut LP. It was a fast, frenetic set which saw the bass and drum duo tear apart the Radio 1/NME tent, packing it out and then some at two in the afternoon, a pretty decent achievement at the end of a weekend chocced full of live music. I can certainly see them making their way up the R&L bill in the future.

Another band I’ve kept my eye on for a while are Brummie starlets, Peace. Possibly the most popular of the current crop of B-town talent, the indie rock outfit made their maiden Main Stage appearance and had a sizeable crowd, their fans amongst the most passionate of the modern day indie era. It was nice for new single ‘Money’ to get an outing, and their new material may swing towards a more poppy sound, but if the UK is to re-start its Britpop scene, look no further than these guys.

Next up was a guaranteed party with the madcap antics of The Hives. Sure they’d released no new material since last appearing at the festival in 2012, but they really didn’t need to, as they performed a masterful set dripping full of favourites like ‘Main Offender’ and ‘Walk Idiot Walk’, beginning with the customary ‘Come On!’, descending into a crowd sit-in and ending with the front section losing it to ‘Hate To Say I Told You So’. Sure, I heard some complaints about frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist’s extended crowd interaction…but I loved it!

I caught only the backend of Foster the People’s Main Stage set, but from what I saw I regretted not seeing the previous half-an-hour. A more mellow version of ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ was pretty memorable, but more than anything they were a band full of confidence and had some good crowd interaction, you got the feeling they were genuinely excited and ecstatic to be with thousands of us in a field in Yorkshire.

One band who’ve had an incredible 12 months are Imagine Dragons, going from a smallish spot on the NME tent last year, just before they made it big, to collaborating with Kendrick Lamar, selling bucketloads of their debut record and making it up to third on the bill on the Main Stage. Again, frontman Dan Reynolds was immensely likeable and thankful for being up there, complimenting R&L for believing in them when no one else would and taking a chance on them. Crowd favourites, ‘Demons’ and ‘Amsterdam’ peppered the set, before a cover of Blur’s ‘Song 2’ paved the way for the rendition of ‘Radioactive’ Leeds had been waiting for. Album number two should bring more exciting times ahead for the Las Vegas act.

Bombay Bicycle Club were as charming as ever as they headlined the NME/Radio 1 Tent, packing it to the rafters, as slices were taken from 2014 album ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’, most notably ‘Feel’, ‘It’s Alright Now’ and ‘Luna’. I’d seen the polished show around the time of the album’s release, but it was nice to see it having been developed and smoothed out for a festival crowd. Collaborators Rae Morris and Liz Lawrence added that little bit extra to one of the most satisfying hour the weekend had to offer.

From the NME tent, it was a mad dash to see the band most had been waiting for the entire weekend; Arctic Monkeys. The Main Stage field was packed as far as the eye could see, as the Yorkshire quartet cemented their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world, even if their set wasn’t entirely perfect.

One look at the setlist would tell you the Arctics dusted off all the favourites, alongside extended coverage of latest record ‘AM’, but the performance was rather erratic, as frontman Alex Turner was occasionally slurry in his delivery and a bit out of it, plus the performances of songs like ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ lacked their usual rapid rhythm, for whatever reason. But come the end of the set, it was hard to come away having not enjoyed at least a portion of the set, whether you were an old or a new fan, there was something for everyone in this intriguing 90 minutes.

And that was that for Leeds 2014, another grand Bank Holiday weekend with stacks of memorable moments and top performances by some of the most exciting acts on the planet, Leeds '15 can't come quickly enough!

 


Photos by Gary Mather