It only feels like yesterday that we were walking away from a crazy year at Reading Festival and wishing that we could relive every moment, and here we are twelve months down the line with our bags packed and eager as ever to get back into the field. It goes without saying that Reading & Leeds is one of the best weekends of the year, consistently providing a stellar line-up of worldwide talent. With so much to choose from we thought we’d help you out with some of our top picks for the festival – we’ll see you down the front!
Counterfeit
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
With 2017 seeing the release of their debut album Together We Are Stronger, Counterfeit are ready and raring to go for their set on The Pit/Lock Up Stage. New single You Can’t Rely is released on the day of the performance, signing a chance to hear it live in all its glory. Having spent most of their summer performing at festivals across Europe, expect a high-octane performance and a lot of punk-rock attitude to get your weekend off to a rowdy start.
Listen to: Enough
Boston Manor
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
If you fancy a dose of pop-punk with some emo undertones then Boston Manor are the ones for you. With an impressive live history behind them after shows across the world with artists including Moose Blood, Creeper, and Citizen the Blackpool outfit will have you hooked. Be Nothing was released via Pure Noise Records last year and showcases their talent of meaningful lyrics with catchy melodies and fiery guitar lines, which excel in a live atmosphere. With a mere few weeks off from touring since May, Reading and Leeds rounds up their biggest summer to date – be part of it and catch their set.
Listen to: Trapped Nerve
Mallory Knox
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
After performing on main stage back in 2015, Mallory Knox are making their return to it accompanied by their new album Wired. Touring the album is smaller venues means the transition to a festival stage is one we’re eagerly anticipating, hearing tracks such as Better Off Without You and California whilst standing in a huge crowd. Since last performing here they’ve adopted a new, grown-up sound with lyrics to match, yet retain their upbeat and exciting live shows.
Listen to: Better Off Without You
Get Inuit
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
Something a little different to the bands we’ve already mentioned; Get Inuit will be gracing the Radio 1 Dance Stage, a band who were previously named as one of Annie Mac’s ‘Ones to Watch’. Delivering a dose of feel good pop the Kent quartet have performed shows with the likes of VANT, Slaves and The Magic Gang. Unafraid to speak out over issues and emotions we all face it’s their DIY punk vibe combined with poppy tones that draws everyone in.
Listen to: All My Friends
Marmozets
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
Yes, you’re reading this right. Marmozets are back and we couldn’t be more excited to see them performing on the NME/Radio 1 Stage this year. It’s been full speed ahead recently, selling out their August tour and announcing further dates for Autumn, as well as premiering their new single Play on the Radio 1 Rock Show. We’re expecting a captivating performance with frantic on stage energy, along with a setlist of both new material and hits taken from debut album The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets. Get excited, we are!
Listen to: Play
Charli XCX
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
If you need something to bring the party to your festival, Charli XCX is the girl for you. One of the fiercest and feistiest females on the scene, her career to date has seen her playing her first big show in 2012 with Coldplay before performing with artists including Paramore and Ellie Goulding, no big deal…With two albums under her belt you most likely know her for her infectious upbeat vocals on tracks including Icona Pop’s I Love It, Iggy Azalea’s Fancy and her own material from Boom Clap to sassy new single Boys. We can’t wait to have a party in the Dance Tent, we’ll definitely love it!
Listen to: After The Afterparty
Saint PHNX
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Glaswegian duo Saint PHNX are one of the lesser known acts mentioned in this list, but potentially one of the most exciting. Their unique sound takes hip-hop edges and combines it with bold guitar lines and motivational lyrics. You only have to listen to King to feel that vibe. Arguably the band’s biggest track, an unreleased version of it was used for ITV’s Europa League Final coverage, this exposure set them on track to success. We love bands with a reputation for their live shows and Saint PHNX won’t let you down, with infectious energy, great indie rock vibes and their sibling relationship making them even more in sync with each other.
Listen to: King
Fickle Friends
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
NME/Radio 1 Stage has the pleasure of Brighton indie pop outfit Fickle Friends gracing it on Sunday. You might know this five piece as the band who played 53 festivals across two years, impressive right? They’ve also received substantial airplay on Radio 1 with single Glue and fans include Zane Lowe, Billboard and BBC Introducing. Now signed to Polydor they’ve been beavering away in the studio to work on their debut album with Mike Crossey which will be shown off during their synth-pop infused set which will make you feel like you’re at a house party, what’s not to love?
Listen to: Glue
Written by: Nicola Craig
