Reading and Leeds 2011 Lineup in detail

We welcome MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE as first time headliners at their only English festival appearance of the year. They conquered the globe with their platinum-selling third album, the bombastic The Black Parade. But the band’s four members, Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Ray Toro and Frank Iero took a radical new direction for their current album Danger Days: The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys; an utterly outrageous, gleefully creative explosion of every quirk, kick and punch the band had been holding in for years. It’s the album My Chemical Romance have been building towards their entire, nearly decade-long career as it defies lazy labels and demolishes expectations. Beholden to no scene, credo or code it’s a rock ‘n’ roll album from the future aimed directly at the dead-hearted present. The band’s vision was rewarded with two NME Awards including the highly prestigious Best International Band. Expect a powerful and thrilling performance from a band at their peak.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION – www.mychemicalromance.com

THE STROKES are set to co-headline this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.  Having recently topped NME’s album of the decade list for debut ‘Is This It’ they can justifiably be described as one of the perennial rock bands of our generation. Their first three albums achieved critical acclaim and led to multimillion sales and headline festival appearances. With the band’s eagerly anticipated fourth album, ‘Angles’, due out 21^st March, these dates are sure to re-confirm their staggering live reputation.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION – www.thestrokes.com

 

PULP will co-headline this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival, the Leeds show being their only date in the North of England since they announced their return.  Quite simply one of the most popular and successful British groups of our times, the Mercury Music Prize winners have forever etched their way into the history of British music with anthems such as ‘Common People’, ‘Sorted For E’s & Wizz’ and ‘Do You Remember The First Time’ and these sets from the Sheffield band are sure to be one of the events of the weekend.

FOR MORE INFORMATION - www.pulppeople.com

* The bands will flip places at the festivals with The Strokes playing after Pulp at Reading and Pulp closing after The Strokes in Leeds.

 

One of the biggest, most impressive live bands in the world, and regularly voted the best, MUSEreturn to Reading and Leeds for what is sure to be a monumental performance and their Only European Shows of 2011. The band have sold over ten million albums since their formation in 1994 and the trio of Matt Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard have enthralled audiences globally with their incredible live shows.  Currently working on an amazing set list which will include all the massive tunes from their extraordinary back catalogue, the Teignmouth group are also putting plans in place to build a spectacular one off, never seen before, stage set which is sure to see the band live up to their tag as Britain’s most ambitious live act.  Having recently picked up a Grammy Award for their fifth studio album ‘The Resistance’ and named by the NME as the ‘Best Band’ for the second year running, the group are planning to record the follow up later this year.  This will be an un-missable highlight of the weekend to enjoy tens of thousands people singing, dancing and air-guitaring to one of the UK’s most celebrated rock acts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION – www.muse.mu 

From Los Angeles, Special Guests THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS have built a huge following since the release of their debut eponymous album in 2002.  Featuring Jared Leto (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter), Shannon Leto (drums, percussion) and Tomo Miličević (lead guitar, keyboards) the band have released three albums and collected countless awards and gold discs along the way.  Their latest release ‘This Is War’ was produced by Flood and Steve Lillywhite and has been described as their “strongest and most accomplished work to date.”  The band’s live performances have included ballet dancers, string quartets and opera singers in the past, all secondary to Leto’s enthralling showmanship so Reading & Leeds can expect a fabulous performance at this their Only UK Festival Appearance.

 

American punk rock at its very finest, THE OFFSPRING have enthralled audiences since they formed back in 1984.   They have sold an incredible 35 million albums worldwide and toured continually with an incredible live show.  Currently working on their ninth studio album, which vocalist Dexter Holland has hinted will be ”straight-up rockin'” this set is sure to feature hits such as UK Number. 1 ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’, ‘Original Prankster’ and ‘You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid’.  These are the bands Only UK Festival Appearances in 2011.

 

DEFTONES’ sixth and latest studio album ‘Diamond Eyes’ was named iTunes’ 2010 Rock Album of the Year and is recognised as one of their best to date.  The Californian band’s diverse and genre -bending sound has seen their career span over a decade and secured them global success.   Off the back of a mammoth tour of Europe and the US the band return to the main stage this summer and are sure to be firing on all cylinders at this their Only UK Festival Appearances.

 

Formed in 1999 and selling over 100,000 records in the UK alone, RISE AGAINST are set to make their Main Stage debut at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival. The punk rock four-piece from Chicago, Illinois graced us with their stage presence in 2009 when they headlined the Lock-up stage, now having released their sixth studio album ‘Endgame’ and touring once again, we can look forward to an explosive return.

 

We welcome BRING ME THE HORIZON, the Sheffield band who are defining the sound of modern metal. Their third full length album, ‘There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret’ was released to fantastic reviews last year and their live shows are legendary.  Since their formation in 2004 they have found fans around the world and a blistering performance is sure to be in store.

Energetic pop–punk icons NEW FOUND GLORY once described themselves as “five kids from the suburbs that knew some power chords”.  The band have certainly come a long way, with 2010 seeing the 10^th anniversary reissue of their groundbreaking self-titled album. Their fusion of emo, pop and heavy hardcore riffs will once again bring a lot of fans dancing to the main stage.

 

Recently signing a worldwide record deal with their new label Cooking Vinyl and releasing their third studio album ‘Hope’, 2011 is certainly moving quickly for six-piece Welsh rock-bruisers,THE BLACKOUT. Having played storming sets on numerous sell out headline tours, the band will once again be unleashing their wrath this summer.

 

Brighton based youngsters ARCHITECTS have certainly made an impact since their arrival on the UK metal scene, playing alongside acts such as Paramore, Jane’s Addiction and metal legends Faith No More. With the band opening proceedings on the main stage, you can guarantee an explosive start to the day.

Brooklyn-based alternative rock band THE NATIONAL return to Reading & Leeds Festival after a five year absence, and will no doubt do so to a huge warm welcome.  The release of their fifth album ‘High Violet’ last year saw them crack the top five in the UK and US and pick up a massive fan base along the way.  These were added to the supporters in the know who had been praising and proclaiming the greatness of this five piece since the release of their debut album in 2001.  A genuine hype-free success story they can only win-over more people with their classic Americana sounds this summer.

 

Festival favourites JIMMY EAT WORLD bring their unique brand of Arizona rock to Reading & Leeds this summer.   With recently released album ‘Invented’ heralding a return to the classic sound of their earlier albums, the band fronted by Jim Adkins since they formed in 1993, have continued to thrill crowds with their hard-edged yet melodic rock sounds and blistering live shows.

 

Don’t watch that, watch THIS as our Special Guests MADNESS, North London’s finest moonstompers rock up to the Reading & Leeds Festival with their unique brand of nutty boy ska/pop.  Expect a barn-storming greatest hits set comprising old favourites and tracks from the latest album 2009’s return to form ‘The Liberty of Norton Folgate’.   ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘House of Fun’, ‘My Girl’ – the hits are endless and Suggs and Co. are a formidable live act who will guarantee outbreaks of crazy dancing and sing-a-longs.

 

Since releasing their debut album ‘Tourist History’ – the 2010 Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the year in March 2010, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB have rapidly become one of the biggest new success stories in UK music. After selling out headline tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Japan and South America the band have deservedly earned both a devoted word-of-mouth live following and huge critical acclaim. The Times have called them “the band of the moment” and NME declared that they have “quietly become one of the UK’s best loved bands.”

 

Few artists at Reading & Leeds Festival this year will have recently celebrated their 70^thbirthday, but SEASICK STEVE – guitarist and bluesman extraordinaire is a truly unique individual.  He made his first UK television appearance on Jools Holland’s show in 2006 and was an instant hit – an overnight sensation after playing for over 50 years. Two Brit Award nominations followed in 2009 and 2010 and he’s just kept playing and startling fans with his incredible talent. A classic artist for the festival.

Late 2008 marked the end of a chapter in the life of Leeds’ THE PIGEON DETECTIVES, with a sold out headline show at London’s Alexandra Palace which, added to the 500,000 sales of their first two albums left the band with an impressive CV. Now, fresh from a self imposed two year hiatus they return recharged with a new album. ‘UP,GUARDS AND AT ‘EM!’, ever popular with the public, this year’s appearance at Reading & Leeds – particularly in Leeds , will once again remind us what an enviable live proposition The Pigeon Detectives are.

The past twelve months has seen Welsh trio THE JOY FORMIDABLE emerge as one of the acts to watch in 2011.   Having headlined the NME’s Radar Tour last year and playing a sold out UK tour early in 2011 live is where The Joy Formidable excel.  The gigs had the critics salivating with a breathless NME declaring them “a shockingly special band.” On stage they push themselves emotionally and sonically to create soundscapes that produce an intense, yet uplifting experience often resulting with singer Ritzy Bryan amongst the crowd.

The Reading & Leeds Festival play host to one of the UK’s most loved and influential bands this summer – ELBOW - one of only two UK festival appearances the band have confirmed this  year.   The immense success of the double platinum selling ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ brought with it the acclaim the band so richly merited, winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2008, a Brit Award for Best British Band, a South Bank Show prize for Best Album whilst also picking up a pair of Ivor Novello Awards for ‘One Day Like This’ and ‘Grounds For Divorce.   Since then the band have written and recently released their fifth studio album ‘Build A Rocket Boys’ entering the charts at Number 2 – the band’s highest ever chart position, and it seems another chapter is written in one of the most intriguing and heart-warming stories in British music.

With the release of INTERPOL’s eponymous fourth album last year, expectation was high and the band didn’t disappoint.  “…another album  of exquisitely anguished atmospherics…” exclaimed one critic whilst another stated; “…a stadium band in the making, if they choose to be.”   The grandiose cinematic beauty and often eerie intensity of Interpol’s catalogue lends itself to soaring climatic shows and as on previous occasions Interpol will plough where others merely follow.  A rabid and loyal fanbase will see a band at the top of the game, for those yet to join the ranks catch this stunning live act and be converted.

Since the release of FRIENDLY FIRES self-titled debut album in 2008, accolades have arrived thick and fast for this trio from St Albans. The album was a slow burning success which over the ensuing two years saw the band rack up sales in excess of 200,000 in the UK as well as picking a Mercury Music Prize nomination and two Brit Award nominations. The band draw inspiration as much from the electronic world as the guitar one and this is no more obvious  than when they hit the stage which has led them to be one the most exciting and critically feted new bands of the past few years. Currently holed up in the studio putting the finishing touches to their second album, this year’s appearance should be captivating.

The ever youthful post-hardcore quartet from St Albans ENTER SHIKARI are favourites at Reading & Leeds.   Irrespective of which stage they play, the mantra remains the same; have fun and the crowd go absolutely insane! The band have built a fearsome live reputation over the past few years whilst touring across the globe with appearances at Big Day Out In Australia and The Warped Tour in the US and with news that the band are looking to release new material later this year, fans and newcomers alike will again be drawn to what is a most exhilarating live experience.

 

Dundee’s THE VIEW bring their energetic and hit-packed live show to this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival. The band who with a Number 1 and Mercury Music Prize album ‘Hats Off To The Buskers’ under their belt first entertained the crowds here when they headlined the NME/Radio 1 stage way back in 2007.  This year will witness no less excitement when they appear playing old favourites along with new material from their third album ‘Bread And Circuses’ with no let up in their irrepressible live experience.

 

FRANK TURNER has developed from a fledgling artist armed with an acoustic guitar and an exceptional DIY work ethic and blossomed from an underground hero to a bona fide mainstream success story following the demise of his previous band Million Dead.   From supporting Green Day at Wembley last year and more recently being nominated for two NME Awards at this year’s Brats, the past twelve months has been a whirlwind success which shows no sign of slowing down.   A new album is imminent which will no doubt win this amazing artist more fans.

 

 

Dan Brown, Liam Cromby, Alfie Scully, Jack Spence and Tom Whittaker are WE ARE THE OCEAN. The band formed in 2007 and has since toured with the likes of The Used, Lostprophets, You Me At Six and Funeral For A Friend. If you have yet to experience We Are The Ocean then there is no better time than these sets, sure to be the talk of the site at the close of the weekend.

  

 

Reading & Leeds are thrilled to welcome BEADY EYE to headline the NME/Radio 1 Stage for their first ever appearance at the festival.  Formed after Oasis split in 2009, Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock released their debut album ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’ in February of this year and played their first live shows worldwide in March.  Having been voted the ‘greatest frontman of all time’, Gallagher and the band have already gained plaudits for their live performances with one newspaper declaring Gallagher to be “in the most commanding vocal form of his career”.  This should be an absolutely not to be missed highlight of the weekend.

Formed in 2007, West London trio WHITE LIES released their debut album ‘To Lose My Life’ in 2009 reaching number one on its release to a fanfare of both critical and commercial acclaim. With an 18 month world tour under their belts the band emerged as one of the bands of 2009. Recharged, excited and buoyed by a new found self- belief, this year has seen the follow-up ‘Ritual’ – their full-blooded big-booted tech-rock outing continue the band’s ascendancy both here in the UK and around the world.

 

The continued maturation of NOAH AND THE WHALE  has been a pleasing thing to follow – from the joyous burst of their debut ,’Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down’,  through the lovelorn sobriety of ‘The First Days Of Spring’, it now reaches a kind of fruition on the recent ‘Last Night on Earth’. Certainly the band seem to have come of age, as perceived leaders of the same British folk-rock scene that has spawned so many in recent times, with this album the band  have found their place and perhaps appear to stand a little taller and little broader than their peers. Theirs is a beautifully woven tapestry of richness, words and entertainment, be enthralled.

THE VACCINES are the quartet who have mopped up the superlatives when it comes to the next big thing over the past  six months  – including being shortlisted in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll and primed with their debut album ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines’ – look set to thrill on this, their first Reading & Leeds Festival showing.  The debut single ‘Wreckin’ Bar’ bore all the hallmarks of what The Vaccines were about, songs that wiggle their way into your consciousness and won’t let go. So, what can you expect from The Vaccines? Excitement, thrills, melody, power, romance?

 

About to release their third album ‘The English Riviera’, the follow up to 2008’s critically acclaimed ‘Nights Out’ – METRONOMY bring their vast sonic soundscapes to this year’s festival.  Although a lot of the newer material sees the band embrace warmer pop melodies they haven’t left the dancefloor behind and new tracks such as ‘The Look’ with it’s all conquering synth-riff will be a festival favourite come the end of the summer.

 

Having worked with a diverse range of artists including Florence Welch, Marianne Faithfull, Tilda Swinton and most recently Patti Smith, PATRICK WOLF’s iconoclastic music has seen him spread his prodigious talents into a number of fields. Following his previous album ‘The Bachelor’ in 2009, Wolf has been working on new material which arrives in the shape of new album ‘Lupercalia’.  Renowned for the spectacular, especially live, the new songs should propel him into the bigger arena that the scale and ambition of his new music already inhabits.

 

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS are already (naked and) famous in their native New Zealand, one of 2010’s genuine organic buzzes has seen a band lauded by the critics and now with Down Under virtually conquered look set to trailblaze likewise in the Northern hemisphere. This is a band set to blow a crater in 2011’s musical landscape with their  first international release ‘Passive Me, Aggressive You’, a young  group of warped sound merchants to invest your heart and soul in, catch ‘em early on their festival debut!

 

 

Headlining the NME/Radio 1 stage we are honored to welcome the incredible JANE’S ADDICTION. The flamboyant, outspoken frontman Perry Farrell is one of the most thrilling and electrifying artists of our generation and as anyone privileged to see the band will testify, they remain one of the world’s most accomplished live acts. ‘Jane Says’, ‘Been Caught Stealing’ and ‘Just Because’ are just some of the classic tracks the band have recorded over their eventful career. The group will also be featuring material from their upcoming new album set for August release. The new album was produced by Rich Costey (Muse, Rage Against The Machine etc) and TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek joined in to help write, program and play bass in what promises to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2011. Jane’s Addiction are a definite must-see for rock fans everywhere and are guaranteed to give Reading & Leeds a very special moment.

Fresh from headlining this year’s NME Awards tour, CRYSTAL CASTLES, a somewhat anti-social duo of drummer Ethan Kath and the ever enigmatic vocalist Alice Glass return to grace Reading & Leeds Festival.  Famed for their uncompromising style both on and off stage their performances are a wonderful cacophony of chaos and crowd participation. With two albums under their belt, sold out tours worldwide, Crystal Castles have created an unexpected and remarkable loyal cult following which is witnessed no more so than when they take to the stage. Miss this duo at your peril.

 

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB return to play this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival, their first appearance since 2009. The band have certainly not been idle in the intervening period having released their well received debut album ‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’ in 2009, picking up ‘Best New Band’ at last year’s NME Awards and releasing their stunning Top 10 acoustic album ‘Flaws’ last summer. 2011 sees the band plug back in and are currently recording their third album which is slated for release later this year.

 

From their festival debut last summer, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING appear to have gone from ‘ones to watch’ to THE ones to watch. Last year saw a nomination on the feted BBC Sound poll, a year later has seen them pick up The Times Breakthrough Award at this year’s Southbank Awards for their sensational debut album ‘Man Alive’. Described as a record “..of arresting unpredictability and melodic beauty and subtlety, melding art-rock and the dance floor”, everybody’s favourite new cerebral pop outfit look set to continue their breathtaking trail with a highly anticipated showing at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.

 

Armed with a new album ‘Blood Pressures’, THE KILLS – Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart – return to Reading & Leeds with their swagger and sass intact. Since their arrival in 2003 the duo have retained the searing guitars, driving rhythms and sexually charged lyrical savvy that has become their trademark. Mosshart, meanwhile as vocalist in The Dead Weather which has further enhanced her reputation and that of The Kills as one of the most vital, striking bands today, whose vividly unique ‘rock’ is at once effortless and timeless.

 

 

Stepping away from their day jobs in Soulwax, 2 MANY DJ’s will be this year’s co-headliners on the NME/Radio 1 Stage. Initially finding fame with their genre mashing mixes, the brothers went onto produce remixes for the likes of Gorillaz, The Klaxons, Kylie Minogue, Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem and many more. The 2 MANY DJ’s set is a guaranteed show stopping headline for this year’s festival and is not to be missed.

 

As Mike Skinner calls time on THE STREETS it’s hard to underestimate how important our co-headliners have been to the past decade of British music. The final album, ‘Computers and Blues’, crams everything Skinner has learnt in the course of his very personal five album odyssey into a package as irresistibly box-fresh as his game-changing 2002 debut ‘Original Pirate Material’. Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses for a farewell toast to The Streets.

 

After splitting in 2006, DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 are back and ready to plug in their instruments at Reading & Leeds for another blast of dance-rock mayhem. Formed in 2001, the band were a wakeup call for a stagnant guitar scene. Keeping things simple, the Canadian group had little more than drums, some skittering electronics and bone shuddering bass. With an awesome live reputation, these sets are sure to exceed their own very high standards and deliver a thrilling performance.

 

PANIC! AT THE DISCO are back and will be performing at Reading & Leeds in support of new album ‘Vices and Virtues’.  Just barely out of high school, the emo-pop outfit burst out of suburban Las Vegas in 2005 with their full-length debut, ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’. Crafting pop-influenced songs with theatrical touches, quirky techno beats, and perceptive lyrics the tents are sure to be packed out for these shows.

 

Highly rated London based five-piece CHAPEL CLUB follow their sold out UK tour with an appearance on the NME/Radio 1 stage. ‘Palace’, the band’s acclaimed debut album will play its part along with new tracks that  together encapsulate the band’s musical diversity – be it the Kraut rock drive of ‘After The Flood’, the seductive roller coaster of  ‘The Shore’ or the pop elegance of recent single ‘All The Eastern Girls’ – a song for every mood… Chapel Club are a remarkable band, join the congregation!

When CAGE THE ELEPHANT released their self-titled debut in 2009, they were heralded as saviors of slacker funk-punk thanks to their hit ‘Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked’. The album went on to sell over 500,000 copies worldwide, and remained on the Billboard 200 Chart for 73 consecutive weeks. The raucous Kentucky rockers are now back with new album ‘Thank You Happy Birthday’, so get ready for another ferocious kick of gut-grabbing rock ‘n’ roll.

 

THE HORRORS will take to the Festival Republic Stage as our headliners for what is sure to be two very special shows. After forming in the summer of 2005, the band quickly gained notoriety around London for their look, sound and brief but frantic live shows. Mixing shoegazing, post-punk and goth influences, expect The Horrors to deliver one of those iconic Festival Republic Stage moments.

 

 

After drawing one of the weekend’s biggest crowds last year, THE MIDNIGHT BEAST return as our Festival Republic Stage headliners. The internet sensations sent YouTube into meltdown last year with their cover of Ke$ha’s ‘Tik Tok’. If you haven’t seen them live yet, think of them as a musical version of the characters of The Inbetweeners, and be sure to catch them this summer at Reading & Leeds.

 

We are proud to welcome the quintessential rock star PETER DOHERTY as a Festival Republic Stage headliner. After last year’s incredible performances with The Libertines, one of the best British songwriters of our generation returns in what is sure to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

 

The return to the Reading & Leeds Festival of the multifaceted TIM MINCHIN is one of the highlights of this year’s Alternative Stage. Having won numerous awards since his rise from obscurity to celebrity in the mid–noughties, Tim has firmly established himself, both here, back home in Australia and America as one the most versatile performers  on the live circuit. Tim has performed sell out shows at The Sydney Opera House, Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Just for Laughs Festivals in Canada amongst others. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, written a pilot for Radio 2 and recently written the music and lyrics for the musical ‘Matilda’ with The Royal Shakespeare Company which opened late last year. 2010 also saw Tim embark on his first Arena Tour of the UK where he was joined by the 55 piece Heritage Orchestra and a band, which he then took on a sell out tour of Australia before its return to the UK culminating in two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Always one for the unexpected, this year is no exception and will feature Tim and a special rock ‘n’ roll set!

 

The Alternative stage welcomes the superb talent of LEE NELSON. The cheeky, happy-go-lucky loveable tearaway from South London has recently been a hit on the stage for other reasons than just stand-up, performing with best pal Omelette to Wham’s ‘Club Tropicana’ on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief. Lee is of course a character created by comedian Simon Brodkin whose successes include the hit BBC3 vehicle ‘Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show’. He has also written for and performed on ‘Al Murray’s Multiple Personality Disorder’. Brace yourselves for this one, it’s gonna be ‘Well Good’.

 

 

Award-winning stand-up, writer and performer RUSSELL KANE has firmly established himself as one of the best comics in the UK since exploding onto the scene in autumn 2003. This year saw Russell win the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award for his show ‘Smokescreens and Castles’ – the most prestigious award in Comedy – having been shortlisted for the award a total of three times including one nomination for Best Newcomer for his Edinburgh show, ‘The Theory of Pretension’. In a prolific few years for Russell, some of the highlights include writing a play called ‘The Great British Country Fete’ for the Bush Theatre, joining ITV2’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here Now’ presenting team and making an acclaimed appearance on BBC 1’s flagship comedy show ‘Live At The Apollo’. Described as ‘one of the finest young performers around’ by Time Out and an ‘inspiring and brilliant stand-up… perfect’ by Chortle, these shows are not to be missed.

 

In describing HENRY ROLLINS, the tendency is to try to squeeze as many labels as possible into a single sentence – but if he could be reduced to a single word, that word would undoubtedly be ‘workaholic’. For more than a quarter century, Rollins has toured the world as a spoken word artist and as front man for both the Rollins Band and Black Flag. When he’s not living out of a suitcase, Rollins is constantly working as an actor, radio DJ, author and publisher. Henry’s spoken word performances are a seamless mix of humour and political commentary. In 2010, he toured both hemispheres on the slogan ‘knowledge without mileage equals bullshit’ with his ‘Frequent Flyer Tour’, and the Reading & Leeds fans are sure to be in for a treat when he arrives in 2011.

 

One of Britain’s most acclaimed comics, MARK THOMAS has also been at the forefront as one of the country’s most recognised and influential activists. With a career on stage spanning 25 years, from his early days as a guest on Radio 1’s The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Channel 4’s numerous series of the cutting edge Mark Thomas Comedy Project / Mark Thomas Project to his well documented and life changing influence Dispatches programmes, he has continued to argue and investigate. In recent years, Thomas has undertaken several sold out tours of the UK, the latest, ‘Extreme Rambling’ (Walking The Wall) recounts his walking the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier crossing between the Israeli and Palestine side. “Moving and inspiring…as gripping as any live performance you will see.” said The Guardian. Passionate and emotive, catch this multi award winning comedian, author and activist and you cannot fail to be inspired.

 

Weekend tickets £192.50 plus booking fees • Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £82.50 plus booking fee • Early entry permits £15 • Weekend ticket prices include camping.

Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of four per household for those booking by telephone or online and two per person for personal callers to walk in stores.

Credit Card line: 0870 060 3775

Or online at: 

Selected HMV stores from 8am Tuesday 22^nd March. See websites for store listings.

 

Reading tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 22^nd March 8.00amwhen paid for in cash at the Reading Arts & Venues Box Office, The Hexagon.  

 

Leeds tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 22^nd March 8.00am when paid for in cash at Leeds Visitor Centre.

 

Also in person from Crash Records and Jumbo Records subject to booking fees.

 

Please note that picture ID/proof of address will be required at the time of booking. Tickets are subject to availability.

 

Limit of 2 per household/person for personal callers.

 

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children’s area at this event.

For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit www.readingfestival.comwww.leedsfestival.com