Photo Credit: Thibault Trillet

Summer is right around the corner, which means so is the UK’s longest running festival – Reading and Leeds.

With the seemingly ‘full’ line-up announced back in December, the buzz is yet to falter as the list only appears to get longer, with more names getting announced frequently, as festival-goers of the UK, and beyond, flock to buy their tickets.

Reading and Leeds has been seen as a staple – not just here in the UK, but also internationally – for decades now, and it’s easy to see why. With almost 200,000 in attendance across the two sites, over 10 stages, ranging from the iconic Main stage, revolutionary Chevron stage, exciting Introducing stage, and many more, ranging in size; features; and twists, it’s sure to guarantee something for everyone. And, as it’s a multi-city festival, you can’t miss out, whether you live nearer to Leeds, or Reading, both cities have the same line-up, just on different days.

Topping the bill on Friday at Reading, and on Saturday at Leeds, are two artists currently taking the world by storm – miss Chappell Roan, and Hozier.

Following her viral debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Roan has been sweeping the floor in awards and accolades, winning both the Brit Award for International Artist and International Song of the Year, and the esteemed Grammy’s Best New Artist award.

Chappell Roan
By Justin Higuchi, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150939050

It’s not just the awards that are impressive, but her immense voice, energy, and incredible stage presence – just look at Roan’s extraordinary set at Lollapalooza last year!

(which – by the way – broke records for the largest crowd ever in Lolla history)

It’s safe to say she’ll be a fan favourite for the weekend, and with Reading and Leeds receiving the honour of her only UK summer appearance this year, and as a first-time headliner for the festival, tickets are sure to sell fast, only sped up by the simple mention of the name Hozier.

He’ll be putting his Unreal Earth tour in America on pause, to come across the pond, and perform a surreal set, with an incredible mix of his greatest hits and newest songs.

When checking Hozier’s discography, it’s unheard of to have so many chart-topping tracks, but not surprising at the least, with vocals as phenomenal as his. He’s a headliner I’m personally beyond excited to see!

Hozier
By Kayla Johnson, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46825860

Headlining Saturday at Reading, and Sunday at Leeds, are two huge names – Bring Me The Horizon, and Limp Bizkit. The only way to describe this pairing is absolutely mega. Fans were excited enough when Bring Me The Horizon were announced, but when Limp Bizkit were announced in the second wave? That takes the cake. First appearing at the Dual Festival back in 2008, the 2022 NME Best British Band, Bring Me The Horizon, clearly left a lasting impression, becoming festival regulars, and quite obviously, festival favourites. With an absolutely insane discography, their set is bound to be chaos; a sight to behold, and one all attendees will remember forever.

Bring Me The Horizon
By: Stefan Brending, CC BY-SA 4.0, [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135870819]

We’ve already seen a sneak peek last month of what’s to come with Limp Bizkit, as they embarked on their sold-out European Loserville arena tour, and it’s safe to say that Fred Durst has definitely still got it. To go from scenes of Pink Pony Club to Break Stuff really encapsulates the vibe of Reading and Leeds Fest. It’s gonna be one hell of a weekend!

Limp Bizkit
By ECarterSterling, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107644994

By this point in the bank holiday, the crowds of Reading will have already witnessed greatness, but then we reach Sunday, and things don’t slow down. Or, at Leeds – things only get started, as Travis Scott and D-Block Europe are confirmed as the final headliners of the weekend. Those that were lucky enough to experience the immense Circus Maximus tour in 2024 can appreciate what’s to come, but for those that haven’t – there’s only one apt word to describe a Travis Scott set… mental.

The festival has outdone themselves this year by securing Travis, with the songs of Astroworld and Utopia getting the party started, or, wrapping things up for a genuinely ineffable weekend.

Travis Scott
By Frank Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80621912

It’d be hard to forget D-Block Europe alongside Travis Scott, and whilst it’s an acquired taste, when their music takes over the fields of Bramham Park, and Little John’s Farm, into the night, they are bound to put on a show.

D-Block Europe
By ZekSnaps/Press

Based on the headliners alone, Reading and Leeds are the places to be this Summer Bank Holiday.

Such a range in musical variety – but certainly not in talent, with the best of the best ready to take the stages by storm, and certainly the crowd along with them.

There’s so much more to delve into with this immense lineup, with several supporting bands taking my heart as personal favourites for the weekend.

Keep an eye out for more from us in the build up to what looks to be the best three days of the year.

Photography has been used under Creative Commons licences, CC BY 2.0 & CC BY 4.0. No changes or adaptations were made to the imagery.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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