Reading And Leeds

Reading and Leeds Festival add more names to the lineup

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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.

Frank Turner

READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH

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.

READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH

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’.

READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD

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.

READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH

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.

READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD

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.

alunageorge

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.

READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH

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.

READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH

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.

A Trak

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.

READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD

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

READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH

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.

READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH

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.

READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD

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.

READING FRIDAY 23RD / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH

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.

READING SATURDAY 24TH / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH

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.

Lucy Rose

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.

READING SUNDAY 25TH / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD

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.

 

Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 lineup!

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Also on the Reading and Leeds lineup is none other than the following:

Main Stage

Thirty Seconds to Mars, Pulp, Elbow, The Offspring, The National, Interpol, Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, Friendly Fires, Rise Against, Madness, Enter Shikari, Bring Me The Horizon, Two Door Cinema Club, The View, New Found Glory, Seasick Steve, Frank Turner, The Blackout, The Pigeon Detectives, Taking Back Sunday, Architects, The Joy Formiable, We Are The Ocean

NME / BBC Radio One Stage

Beady Eye, Janes Addiction, 2manydjs, White Lies, Crystal Castles, The Streets, Noah & The Whale, Bombay Bicycle Club, Death From Above 1979, The Vaccines, Special Guests, Panic! At The Disco, Metronomy, Patrick Wolf, Everything Everything, The Kills, Warpaint, Chapel Club, The Naked and Famous, Ofwgkta, Cage The Elephant

Festival Republic Stage

The Horrors, The Midnight Beast, Peter Doherty

The Alternative Stage

Mark Thomas, Russell Kane, Tim Minchin, Henery Rollins, Lee Nelson

reading and leeds festival lineup 2011

Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 Pre-sale tomorrow morning!

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World famous Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 will go on sale from 9am Friday 3rd December.

A limited number of tickets will be available and festival fans will not be hit by the VAT increase in the new year. 

With a suspected massive lineup to be announced for both Reading and Leeds, this is the perfect Xmas present for any discering music lover.

Lineup and General tickets will be available in Spring 2011.

Visit www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com for tickets!

Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 Ticket Pre-Sale!

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It’s the biggest and the best rock show on the planet. And it’s back next year. Where else would you want to be on the August Bank Holiday weekend?!

Pre-sale adult weekend tickets to the world famous Reading & Leeds Festival will be available to buy from 9am Friday 3rd December at 2010 prices.

Purchasing tickets in the pre-sale means festival fans won’t be hit by the VAT increase in the New Year or the rise in ticket prices for 2011 – a saving of at least £10 per ticket!

With the biggest names in music set to play at both sites, this is the perfect Christmas gift for any discerning music lover.

The all-important line-up and general sale tickets will be released in the Spring.

For more details visit www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com

Weather Forecast – Reading and Leeds Festival

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We have used the Met Office weather widget to continually update the weather as it comes to hand, please keep checking back here to see the latest updates.

At this moment, Reading is looking at good weather for Friday and Saturday, Leeds looks like there will be a small amount of rain on Friday and fine on Saturday.

 

 

Alternative Stage for Reading and Leeds Festival finalised

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Keep an eye out for our comperes at both sites, Huw Stephens will man the main stage at Reading and Colin Murray (Fri/Sat) and Gill Mills (Sunday) at Leeds. At Reading Bethan Elfin and the Vinyl Vendettas will be on the NME/Radio 1 stage and Mike Davies on the Lock Up. Gazz Snowden will be keeping the Lock Up Stage in check at Leeds where Cerebral Ballzy and Random Hand have been added to the bill (Reading Sat/Leeds Fri) replacing RX Bandits and Crime In Stereo.
 
Festival Republic are also proud to announce a FREE downloadable programme for the festivals will be available from 23rd August from www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestivals.com .
 
The line up for all stages has now been announced (Main, NME/Radio 1, Lock Up/Dance, Festival Republic, BBC Introducing and Alternative) and there’s not long to go. The READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL is held on 27th – 29th August 2010 at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets for this event are now sold out.   The full line up and further information can be found at www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com .
 
Continuing its commitment to reflect the most significant live music cultural events, the BBC will once again be broadcasting from Reading Festival. From Friday 27 August – Sunday 29 August, the BBC will bring audiences closer to the festival through the best music, including headliner sets, artist interviews, exclusive acoustics and special performances, across programming on BBC Three, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Online.
 
SILENTARENA at Reading and Leeds: Coming to Reading and Leeds for the first time SilentArena present the world’s largest concurrent silent disco featuring a total capacity of 9000 people across the festival.  Having travelled around the world this summer visiting some of the biggest festivals and events they plan to end the summer in style. The party will on go on into the small hours long after the headline acts have finished, featuring some of the UK’s top DJs competing head-to-head for the crowds attention. Don’t miss your chance to be part an unforgettable experience for you and thousands of others. Leeds will run from 11pm – 5am. Reading will be over two sites from 10.30pm – 4am with Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Bethan Elfyn and the Vinyl Vendettas, My Ex Boyfriends Records and more names to be confirmed.
http://www.silentarena.com
 
The Salvation Army: If anybody has any problems, are worried about anything or just need a friendly chat the Salvation Army marquee is close to its usual location in Reading on G4 road, near the Green camping area and between the river and the main area and will also be in Leeds.   They will be serving hot drinks and can even help with blankets if anything gets lost.   Last year in Reading they initiated a ‘Food Drive’ where they collected any non perishable food they have left after the weekend.   This resulted in over a tonne of food being collected from the recycling areas and at the marquee which was then distributed for those in need in the Reading area. Save yourself from having to carry heavy tins home and drop them off here.
 
Free Tunes from Dance To The Radio: On Thursday night the lucky people at Leeds are treated to a night of entertainment from local label Dance To The Radio – and have now kindly made a free album download available for people wanting to check out the bands they’ll see on site. Visit:
http://dancetotheradio.bandcamp.com/album/dance-to-the-radio-stage-2010-digital-e-p
 
Get Fresh For The Weekend with SEAT:   While at this world famous festival make sure you check out the SEAT Human Car Wash.  Whether you’re mucky from the mosh-pit or just feel like a freshen-up, this free-to-use service will lather you up, hose you down and give you a thorough air drying – just like a real carwash! Check it out in the Village at each site.
 
One Water: One Water is the official water supplier for Reading and Leeds festivals and will be onsite to give away One Festival survival packs which can be won by entering the competition detailed on the One water bottles sold on site. 
 
Relentless Energy Stage at Leeds: This action kicks in between 10pm and 3am each night with DJs and live music. Check out Plastic Thumbs, Crystal Fighters (Live) Quemist Soundsystem, Goldierocks, Drums of Death (live) Dekker, Punks Jump up and the thrillingly titled Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
 
Gaymers – Lost In The Orchard at Leeds: Gaymers Cider will be hosting their own area at Leeds with live music, DJs and entertainment.   Lewis Floyd Henry, Connan Mockasin and Skinny Lister will all perform during the days and Cosmic Truth (DJs), Broken Hearts (DJs) and DJ Kobayashi (DJ) will be spinning the tunes. The ever popular Rockeoke encourages people up to sing their heart out, there will be a music quiz and a Gaymers Jukebox where everybody can be the superstar DJ until 3am each night.
 
ActionAid at Reading: ActionAid will be returning to Reading festival with their infamous tent just outside the main arena. With comfy seating, giant games and table football by day and feel good DJs until 3am, the friendly crew will keep you smiling all weekend. This year ActionAid are asking you to say Bollocks to Poverty by putting hunger back in the headlines. It’s outrageous that one billion people are hungry and politicians could end it if they put their minds to it, so the Reading crowd can help out by making hunger front page news. You and your mates will be able to put yourself on the cover of specially created magazine NMH by posing with hunger-busting headlines. Dress up, strike a rock star pose, and say bollocks to poverty by demanding a HungerFREE world.

ALTERNATIVE STAGE
 
Comedy on the Alternative Stage:
 
Best know for his hysterical appearances as burger van owner ANGELOS EPITHEMIOU on the TV series Shooting Stars; this is actually just one creation of the talented comedian Renton Skinner. He has appeared on radio, TV and film as a comedian and actor, performed stand up and written for various shows. We can only pray he brings along his ‘bag’ to show us what’s in it.
 
Described as the bad boy of comedy and nominated for Chortle’s Best Headliner category at this year’s awards, ANDREW LAWRENCE brings his sick and twisted humour to the festival. With previous shows titled “How to Butcher your Loved Ones” and “Social Leprosy For Beginners & Improvers”, don’t expect gentle humour, it would be gross if he wasn’t so funny.
 
As seen on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week, TOM STADE brings his magnetic stage presence and distinctive laid back style to Reading and Leeds Festivals. In demand around the globe, this clever and controversial Canadian is not to be missed.
 
“King of the surreal one liners” MILTON JONES is a former Perrier Award winner at Edinburgh and constantly touring around the UK and had his own show on Radio 4. Don’t miss this respected and raved about set.
www.thebigfatcat.co.uk/MJ/(Reading only)
 
Recognisable as the face of BBC’s Switch, TOM DEACON is one of comedy’s bright new hopes. The 24 year old host of  a regular Radio 1 show on Sunday evenings made his solo debut at last year’s Edinburgh Festival having previously stared in the Fringe’s longest running group comedy show ‘The Comedy Zone’ and, despite his relative youth is already an award-winning stand up.
www.myspace.com/tomdeaconcomedy
 
Described as the “comedian’s comedian”, MARTIN MOR has been entertaining for years, first as multi talented performer in the circus until injury curtailed that path. Since when he has written and warmed up for anyone you’d care to mention. Oh, and his picture has adorned the Trivial Pursuit board game (!)
 
Nominated for last year’s Chortle Awards, heavy metal fan ANDREW O’NEILL has brought his own unique brand of occult comedy to the Edinburgh festival over the past six years and is a vegan to boot. He is not a Goth!
 
Famed as one half of the Eighties comedy duo Skint Video, STEVE GRIBBIN has established himself as one of the stalwarts on the comedy circuit and since going solo in the early nineties has performed almost annually at Reading/Leeds festivals.
www.stevegribbin.com/
 
Bristol based comedian MARK OLVER has not updated his website for a while as he’s too busy doing stand up around the country and his warm up acts on TV (including Deal or No Deal, so be sure to ask him to show you his box). When he’s not doing that he’s catching up on The Wire. 
http://markolver.com
 
Time Out Magazine once described STEPHEN GRANT as “Britain’s best comedy compere and odd job man” and he’s also been said to be the hardest working comedian in the country. A regular at the infamous Komedia clubs he’s been gaining fans wherever he goes for over a decade now.
 
Despite only being on the scene for just two years JOSH WIDDICOMBE has already made quite a name for himself and picked up some tasty reviews, award nominations and written for some cool TV such as 8 out of 10 Cats and Mock The Week.
www.offthekerb.co.uk/josh-widdicombe  (Leeds only)
 
Only a few years ago BRIAN GITTINS owned “the best roadside cafe in a 12-mile radius of Pyecombe” but he was determined to make it to the London Palladium. He’s luckily stopped off at Reading (or rather creator David Earl has) to bring his quirky and giggle-some set to us at the festival.
 
Comedian, actor and writer BARRY CASTAGNOLA has firmly established himself as an accomplished comic performer.   His easy-going (yet very physical) style, mixing personal anecdotes with some sharp topical and political comment has tickled fans all over the world and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Reading.
 
Music on the Alternative Stage:
 
MATT ABBOTT used to be better known as Skint and Demoralised but is now goes by his real name.   He is a spoken word/lyricist from Yorkshire who garnered great reviews and lots of national radio when he first broke through in 2009. His latest album is called ‘Love and Other Catastrophes’, make sure you catch him performing at Leeds this year.

www.myspace.com/iammattabbott   (Leeds only)

BBC Introducing Stage lineup announced for Reading and Leeds

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The bands that play are chosen through a combination of the BBC’s countrywide Introducing shows, Leeds promoters Futuresound and festival promoters Festival Republic.   In the past the likes of Everything Everything, General Fiasco, Pulled Apart My Horses and Goldheart Assembly have made their debuts at Reading and Leeds on this stage and gone onto great things.
 
Several bands have gained their place at the festival through winning highly fought competitions including local boys Kasiuss who bring their intelligent modern rock to the Festival Republic Stage (Saturday 28th Leeds, Sunday 29th Reading). Kvelertak won their spot via a national TV search in their native Norway and Penguin were worthy champions of the Martin House Children’s Hospice battle of the bands – the Centre Stage competition.
 
We are very proud to also welcome the return of the DANCE TO THE RADIO STAGE which acts as the official warm up for the crowds at Leeds on the Thursday night.   Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Chickenhawk, Bear In Heaven, Spectrals and The Neat (another act who started out on the BBC Introducing Stage last year) will kick things off at the greatest rock and roll event of the year.
 
With all stages now announced (Main, NME/Radio 1, Lock Up/Dance, Festival Republic and Alternative) the countdown begins with less than a month to go.   The READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL is held on 27th – 29th August 2010 at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets for this event are now sold out.   The full line up and further information can be found at www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com. 
 
BBC INTRODUCING STAGE
 
Friday 27th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 29th August at Leeds Festival
LITTLE FISH (headliners) www.myspace.com/littlefishmusic
ARCS AND TRAUMAwww.myspace.com/arcsandtrauma
END OF LEVEL BADDIEwww.myspace.com/eolb
MR FOGGwww.myspace.com/mrfoggisapopstar
STAGECOACHwww.myspace.com/stagecoachuk
THE MIGHTY STEFwww.myspace.com/themightystefband
SKETCHES
www.myspace.com/sketchesband
WILDERwww.myspace.com/wearewilder
WE’RE ONLY AFRAID OF NYCwww.myspace.com/wereonlyafraidofnyc
G.A.N.G.
www.myspace.com/growthandnotglory
AMYS GHOSTwww.myspace.com/amysghost
OUR FOLDwww.myspace.com/ourfold
WOT GORILLAwww.myspace.com/wotgorillaband

                                                                                  

Saturday 28th August at Reading Festival / Friday 27th August at Leeds Festival
 
THE LAW (headliners)
www.myspace.com/upthelaw
SHOCKPARADE
www.myspace.com/shockparadeuk
MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACKwww.myspace.com/mps
LOVE ENDS DISASTERwww.myspace.com/loveendsdisaster
MIDI MIDIS

www.myspace.com/midimidis
THE INVASION OF www.myspace.com/theinvasionof
MY FOREVERwww.myspace.com.myforeverofficial
LADY FORTUNEwww.myspace.com/ladyfortune
ROTATING LESLIE
www.myspace.com/rotatingleslie
PENGUINwww.myspace.com/3penguinsuk
SOUL CIRCUSwww.myspace.com/soulcircusmusic
CLUB SMITHwww.myspace.com/joinclubsmith

       

                                          Sunday 29th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 28th August at Leeds Festival
           
GALLOPS       (headliners) 
www.myspace.com/thegallopsband
REDTRACKwww.myspace.com/redtracktheband
LAFAROwww.myspace.com/lafaro
EXIT INTERNATIONAL
www.myspace.com/exitinternationalmusic
REAPER IN SICILY
www.myspace.com/reaperinsicily
THE BRILLIANT THINGSwww.myspace.com/thebrilliantthings
NERVESwww.myspace.com/nervessevren
PEERS
www.myspace.com/wearepeers
RUNAROUND KIDS
www.myspace.com/runaroundkids
KVERLERTAKwww.myspace.com/kvelertak
BLACKLISTERS
www.myspace.com/blacklisters
 
DANCE TO THE RADIO STAGE
(Leeds Only: 7pm – 11pm)
 
Leeds’ finest independent label are constantly seeking out the hottest bands around. They’ve brought
us names such as The Pigeon Detectives and Forward Russia and their Thursday night opening slot
at Leeds is the place to be for early birds.
 
Sam Duckworth is GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY, the Southend-born troubadour who named his solo project after a solution from an old Batman adventure game. He’s sure to be previewing tracks from his eagerly awaited eponymous 3rd album which is inspired by a new love for hip-hop and a rediscovered passion for drum’n’bass as well as playing tunes from debut ‘The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager’ and 2008’s ‘Searching For The Hows And Whys’.
 
BEAR IN HEAVEN’s new album ‘Beast Rest Forth Mouth’ is a celebration of wide open spaces and not-quite-sounding-like-anyone-in-particular, it comes close to prog rock although frontman Jon Philpot insists, “We’re bigger fans of Krautrock”. An exceptional live act.
 
Leeds based CHICKENHAWK have been together since 2008, and have unleashed their unique brand of experimental metal with releases on Brew Records and Dance to the Radio. Definitely rock not to be missed. 
 
SPECTRALS is the creation of one young lad “L” from the north of England who decided to start something combining his love of doo wop, girl groups and then adding a little bit of rat pack flair with a punk rock vibe.
http://www.myspace.com/spectralspectral
 
Artrocker described THE NEAT as “Obscenely brilliant” and we agree. This Hull trio have whipped up a storm with their recent single and uk shows gaining lots of radio play in all the right places.

www.myspace.com/uptheneat

 

Reading & Leeds Festival – Alternative Stage Lineup announced

by
ALTERNATIVE STAGE
 
Comedy on the Alternative Stage:
 
The surreal yet super funny EMO PHILIPS is warmly welcomed at Reading & Leeds Festival to play this headline set.   Having won over fans in the UK for over 20 years this Chicago born comedian has travelled the world with his quirky observations and hilarious child-like one-liners like “I’m not Catholic, but I gave up picking my belly button for lint”.    This is his first visit to the festival which is eagerly awaited.
www.emophilips.com     (Reading Friday 27th/Leeds Saturday 28th)
 
JASON BYRNE’s inspired, original brand of high-energy lunacy ensures that there is no other comedian presently like him. His fast, free-wheeling style, fused with an array of offbeat props, makes his act a helter-skelter of a show. The Irish funny man has appeared on radio and tv with his own shows, and all over the world with his awards winning stand up performances. Making a dash to Reading and Leeds from his 14th Edinburgh Festival shows we are thrilled to have him as one of our headliners in 2010.
www.jasonbyrne.ie     (Reading Saturday 28th/Leeds Sunday 29th)
 
A regular on UK tv shows, STEPHEN K AMOS is one of our funniest UK comedians. Having appeared on Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo amongst others he released his debut DVD last year. Another of our headliners making the trip from Edinburgh, who appeared their first in 2001. appearing there first in 2001.    
www.myspace.com/85665609     (Reading Friday 27th/Leeds Sunday 29th)
 
You may have first heard of RUSSELL KANE when he popped up on TV for the launch of channel Five Live when he appeared in several funny travelogues, however he won his first award for comedy in 2004 and worked all over the world since. A stint on Big Brothers Big Mouth followed alongside lots more tv and radio.
www.russellkane.co.uk     (Reading Sunday 29th/Leeds Friday 27th)
 
Glaswegian KEVIN BRIDGES was only 17 years old when he started out as a stand up comedian, however within a few short years he was being nominated for awards and this year made his debut on Michael MciIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow on BBC1. This saw him elevated to playing the SECC Arena in Glasgow and win the 2010 Breakthrough prize at the Chortle Awards.
www.kevinbridges.co.uk     (Reading Saturday 28th/Leeds Friday 27th)
 
RUFUS HOUND is not only a gifted presenter, stand up comic and actor, he’s also cultivated some of the finest facial hair in the business! Best known for being the blue team captain on the TV series ‘Argumental’ or for dressing up as Cheryl Cole for 2010’s Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, his wit has recently been described as ‘sharp, sarcastic and at times a little sick!’
(Reading Sunday 29th/Leeds Friday 27th)
 
A regular at Edinburgh’s fringe, ROBIN INCE has appeared regularly on both Radio 4 and TV including BB2, Channel 4 and Sky – both as a writer and a performer. Most recently he has been seen touring his Robin Ince vs. the moral majority throughout the UK whilst series 2 of the science/comedy show he presents with Brian Cox – The Infinite Monkey Cage has just aired on Radio 4.
www.myspace.com/robinnce
 
The popular comedy night POPCORN COMEDY comes to the festival this year and is hosted by Jon Petrie + Holly Walsh with guests Cardinal Burns and Stephen Grant. They show some of the strongest, sharpest and funniest videos online and also feature the country’s best stand up and character comedians as they showcase their own short comedy films. The Sun called it “ … a joy to behold’, don’t miss this excellent way to start the day.
 
ABANDOMAN are an Irish improvising hip-hop trio, led by Rob Broderick, who won the 2010 Hackney Empire New Act Competition and the 2010 Musical Comedy Awards. They create hilarious musical sketches at lightning speed live – no two gigs are ever the same.
 
MIDNIGHT BEAST are most noted for their parady version of Ke$ha’s ‘Tik Tok’ which has drawn tweets from the lady herself…”Holy. Shit. This is better than my version.” The trio needless to say have a huge following via facebook, twitter and youtube, watch the videos, hear the songs, but catch ‘em live this summer at Reading and Leeds.
A near veteran of the Edinburgh festival and one of the best comedians on the International circuit, ADAM BLOOM with his sporadically silly, profound and thought-provoking routines has been described as comic genius. His brand of manic humour has bridged the gap from stage to both TV and radio with acclaimed results moving one critic to say of his stand-up; “…no puns, no ersatz nostalgia, Just Adam-Bloomness”. www.adam-bloom.com
 ‘A pocket sized dynamo’ so said one critic of this young comedian. MATT KIRSCHEN’s precision wit and impish style shot through with an intelligent and skilful talent has already merited an impressive reputation on the UK comedy circuit. He has played most of the major comedy venues, done the University tours and picked up an array of awards and this summer sees a welcome return to Reading and Leeds festivals. www.myspace.com/mattkirshen
Currently riding high on the UK comedy scene, MC DAVE TWENTYMAN is one of the most affable and naturally gifted comedians you’ll see this year. Hailing from the town of St Helens, his tales of home, work and the universe are delivered in a stream of consciousness both mesmerising and friendly.
www.dave-twentyman.co.uk/
 
JJ WHITEHEAD (or Jason John to his family) will bring intricately woven anecdotes and sharply crafted gags with an edge. Having performed all over the world the Canadian makes his first appearance at Leeds.
www.jasonjohnwhitehead.com     (Leeds Only)
 
Sunderland comedian MATT REED has gained a reputation as an amazing comedian and compere for the best part of the last decade. Described as a ‘cheeky, smutty little chappy’ he will bring his enthusiasm and energy to Leeds this year.
(Leeds only)
 
If you haven’t yet, it’s probably time to start getting excited about JAMIE KILSTEIN. The stand-up comedian co-hosts the online radio podcast Citizen Radio with Alison Kilkenny and those who like their comedy passionate, political and delivered like machine gun-fire are in for a treat.
www.myspace.com/jamiekilstein      (Leeds Only)
 
Inventive Canadian stand-up GLENN WOOL has made a name for himself with his wide ranging comedy which veers between sagely political and gleefully silly. Described by The Independent on Sunday as a ‘cross between Jack Black and Meat Loaf’ and hailed by The Guardian as ‘effortlessly funny with an affability that other comics can only dream of’.
 
A member of Rich Hall’s Perrier Award winning team the Black Liars, CHRISTIAN REILLY is a stand-up comic who is also a guitar hero. From indie rock to rocked out hippy, Christian can play and please them all. With his unique take on life and skilled improvisations, his comic songs, sharp wit and youthful energy delights audiences wherever he performs.
 
CHARLIE BAKER is a versatile talent, not only a much in demand stand-up comedian, but also an accomplished, highly acclaimed jazz singer and musician. Recently, Charlie won the prestigious Mervyn Stutter ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award for his debut Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Charlie Baker – The World’s Greatest Show Off’ and has performed warm up slots for ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ and ‘Friday Night With Jonathan Ross’.
 
Music and Performance on the Alternative Stage:
 
BEARDYMAN, the former UK beatbox champion incorporates a lot of humour into his innovative set which sees his mind boggling skill of producing scratches, clicks and musical acrobatics with his voice.   Flagged up by the BBC as the “King of Sound and Ruler of Beats’, Beardyman has collaborated with like-minded individuals with the resultant multi-media shows proving a totally unique experience.        www.beardyman.co.uk
Now resident in South East London but originally from Nigeria, the grime/afrobeat MC AFRIKAN BOY came to prominence when he guested on M.I.A’s Kala’ album. Currently juggling university studies with his musical career, Shola as he likes to be known is preparing several new releases and these shows will see an artist finding his own path through words and rhyme.
 
With work well underway on the new Art Brut album, EDDIE ARGOS takes time out from the studio for a very special stripped down acoustic set at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival. Playing re-workings of Art Brut, Everybody Was In The French Resistance, Glam Chops and Art Goblins songs, this show is not to be missed.
 
4Talent award winner LUKE WRIGHT might just be the hardest working man in poetry. He has four solo poetry stage shows, all of which played to sold out audiences at The Edinburgh Fringe and got five star reviews. Described by The Observer as ‘the best young performance poet around’ while Metro hailed him as ‘performance poetry’s key revivalist’.
 
Poet, illustrator, novelist, spoken word artist, Brit School graduate and chum of Kate Nash LAURA DOCKRILL is only 23 but has already made her name on the poetry scene with her stories of modern life. 
 
Having come the unlikely route of via Scotland, Nigeria, Trinidad and London, rapper RINSE arrives at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. He will be performing alongside Nottingham Grime MC WARIKO
 
INSTIGATE DEBATE (artists and speakers tbc)
 
Instigate Debate is the counterculture project formed by a collective of musicians and journalists including Carl Barat, and Jon ‘The Reverend’ McClure. They have argued all over the UK including at the Oxford Union, expect a diverse panel of guests will discuss political points from across the spectrum, expect passion and forthright debate 
 
Clubbing at the Alternative Stage:
 
Trangressive Club Night – a message from the label …
 
2010 marks the fourth year of label/promoters/publishers/managers Transgressive’s presence at Leeds Festival.  
 
The format is the same each year – audio-visual treats and the best new emerging acts performing intimate shows on the closing night of the festival, from a mixture of Transgressive acts and our friends… We’re trying to make it a proper closing night hurrah for those that still have the will and spirit to party very, very hard, carrying long into the night after the headliners have finished on the other stages.
 
Prior acts to have graced our stage in recent years include Leeds’ own hometown heroes Pulled Apart by Horses, Two Door Cinema Club, Future of the Left, Young Knives, Noah & The Whale, Laura Marling, and many more besides.   This time, however, we reckon we’ve got our best line-up yet – the evening is headlined by an exclusive, centrepiece performance from Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, with other acts including manic electronic duo Chew Lips, youthful wizard pop from Egyptian Hip Hop, uplifting soulful pop gems courtesy of Slow Club, and, of course, a 22-piece-all-girl-dubstep-pop-choir in Gaggle. 
 
In between all the live action, Transgressive and Rockfeedback DJs will play big and cool tunes in equal measure, whilst we welcome back both Two Door Cinema Club and Pulled Apart by Horses this year to take part in a ‘versus’ dual on the decks. Who the hell will win? Stay up late with us and find out.
Leeds Only – Sunday Night
 
A Reading and Leeds Festival legendary experience from the first time they appeared, SWAP-A-RAMA is a simple idea, yet executed in stunning style. The Concept: Every time the klaxon sounds each reveller must swap an item of clothing with someone next to them. Attendees are advised to wear clothes they don’t mind never seeing again. God knows what they’ll be going home in! Expect ridiculous clothes, dancing on the bar, confusion, elation, grown men fighting over frocks, sweating, a hangover…soundtracked by an unpredictably intoxicating mix of Rock & Roll, Soul, R&B, Sixties Shakers, Ska, Boogaloo, Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Pop Music & Party Classics.
www.swap-a-rama.co.uk
 
‘How Can You Go Wrong When Every Song’s A Love Song’ is the manifesto for the DJ’s at SMASH N GRAB. The Queenz of Noise have made this London club into the must be spot in town for ‘kissing and dancing’ and they bring their inimatible fun and tunes to Reading and Leeds. Expect music from the last 50 years and expect to dance till you fall down.
www.smashandgrabclub.com
 
REBEL BINGO is dangerous and addictive, the authorities are after them!   It started after finding a bingo kit at a party in a church, these people soon became addicted and now it’s out of control, and coming to Leeds (only). They are joined by electro/indie DJ GOLDIEROCKS who’s invaded parties and aftershows all over the world and is becoming a festival favourite for anybody willing to dance till they drop.
 
Movies showing at the Alternative Stage:
 
Forget Twilight, SUCK is a rock and roll vampire thriller directed by Rob Stefaniuk and filmed in Toronto. It follows the tale of hapless rock band The Winners who tour the US and Canada chased by a Vampire Hunter who is afraid of the dark. Featuring rock legends Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Henry Rollins and, er, Moby – this will hopefully not scare you too much so you can make it back to the campsite …
 
THE DOORS, WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE reveals an intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison — four brilliant artists who made The Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between the band’s 1965 formation and Morrison’s 1971 death, the film follows the band from the corridors of UCLA’s film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.   The film is written and directed by Tom DiCillo (‘Johnny Suede’, ‘Living in Oblivion’) and narrated by Johnny Depp.
 

The delightfully titled TRASH HUMPERS follows a small gang of sinister ‘elderly’ peeping toms through the shadows of a nightmarishly familiar suburban landscape. Their shocking and sociopathic behaviour makes for unbearably compelling viewing that scorches itself onto the mind’s eye. Written and directed by Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo), The Guardian described the film as the “cinematic equivalent of listening to black metal”