Reading/Leeds festivals preview

Gigs

23 Aug

*Reading Festival main stage, by* *Seemann*

We’re nearing the August bank holiday, and for alt-music fans that means only one thing - it’s time for the Reading and Leeds festivals.

Widely known as the oldest music festival, Reading has been pulling some of the biggest names in music since the early 60s. In recent years, these annual festivals have cemented their place in British culture as the go-to post-GCSE results party. As a knock on, the lineup has shifted to feature more mainstream pop artists.

But digging a little deeper in the lineup we can still see the alt roots of the festivals are strong with the likes of Wet Leg, KennyHoopla, and Hot Milk on this year’s bill. Sharing the same lineup split over different days, here’s our roundup of what not to miss.

Friday (Reading) / Saturday (Leeds)

*BBC Introducing Stage headliners ALT BLK ERA.*

The Friday (Reading) / Saturday (Leeds) lineup is probably the strongest for alt fans. Wet Leg and Yard Act are on Main Stage East while Main Stage West has Foals, You Me At Six, and Frank Turner.

Outside of the main stages, things get really spicy. The Festival Republic Stage has a super strong line up including pop-punk sensations Magnolia Park, Knocked Loose, Pinkshift, Games We Play, The Last Dinner Party, Himalayas, Lauran Hibberd, and Bilk.

ALT BLK ERA headline the BBC Introducing Stage while further down the line up we see Frozemode, Lexie Carroll, Cole Bleu.

And if you want to see a band with a sound destined for much higher future billing, we’re obsessed with Haunt The Woods.

Saturday (Reading) / Sunday (Leeds)

There are only slim pickings on the Saturday (Reading) / Sunday (Leeds) bill on the main two stages. With the only artists of note being Nothing but Thieves over on East and Easy Life and Arlo Parks on West.

Again the Festival Republic stage comes up trumps with the mysterious Sleep Token, KennyHoopla, Mothica, Zand, Scowl, High Vis, Graphic Nature, Fat Dog, Anchor Lane, plus a not-so-secret set from Soft Play.

Down on the BBC Introducing Stage where punk powerhouse Hotwax headline, we also get hometown heroes (for Reading) Only The Poets, Lucia & The Best Boys, L’objectif, Pixey, and Chalk.

*Zand can be found on the Festival Republic stage.*

Sunday (Reading) / Friday (Leeds)

*Main Stage West openers Hot Milk by Frank Fieber*

The main two stages have a sprinkling of alt artists on Sunday (Reading) / Friday (Leeds). On East we get Muna and The Amazons. While on West we get Don Broco, The Snuts, and the brilliant Hot Milk will be celebrating the release of their debut album A CALL TO THE VOID as they open the bill.

Over on the Festival Republic Stage don’t miss TV Girl, Vistas, Coin, Giant Rooks, Ethel Cain, The Royston Club, and English Teacher.

Despite having a reduced lineup for the day, the BBC Introducing Stage features Brsitol’s brilliant Grandmas House. The reduced lineup could mean that there might be space for some special guests.

Listen to our festival playlist: