August Bank Holiday, also known as Reading & Leeds Festival weekend, is just around the corner and, as always, the line-up in 2019 proves to be one of the most strong and diverse out there. Booking a plethora of big names, as well as championing some of the most exciting up-and-coming names, there is plenty to choose from – so the big question is, who do you choose to see? Here are our ones to watch at Reading & Leeds Festival to help you decide!
The LaFontaines
BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
Known for their energetic live shows, Scottish trio The LaFontaines are going to be perfectly at home on the Radio 1 Dance Stage. Expect to witness a lot of crowd participation, singalongs, and their intriguing combination of hip-hop and pop-rock performed live in all its glory, including singles All In and Body. Following on from the release of third album Junior earlier this year, The LaFontaines will be playing the festival ahead of an extensive run of UK and European shows, details of which you can find HERE.
No Rome
Festival Republic Stage
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
Having collaborated with festival headliners The 1975 on his track Narcissist, No Rome is bringing a dose of pop to Reading & Leeds Festival. Earlier this year he released his new EP Crying in the Prettiest Places, which saw lead track Cashmoney premiered via Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show. If you’re looking for something different during your festival weekend, then No Rome is going to bring some R&B, pop and Dirty Hit goodness.
You Me At Six
Main Stage
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
Photo Credit: Katy Cummings
Weybridge quintet You Me At Six are no strangers to Reading & Leeds Festival, and this weekend will be taking on the Main Stage. Ahead of the festival, the band have released their first new music since 2018’s VI album, in the form of new single What’s It Like. Unafraid to constantly shake up their sound, expect to hear a varied setlist from their extensive discography, as the band warm-up for their headlining slot at Gunnersville next month.
Marsicans
BBC Music Introducing Stage
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
Photo Credit: Jake Haseldine
We recently spoke to Marsicans drummer Matthew ‘Cale’ McHale, who told us that the quartet have been attending Leeds Festival since they were sixteen, so their headline set on the BBC Music Introducing stage at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival is going to be a special one. The band describe themselves as “upbeat indie meets dirty pop,” and their quirky sound will be the perfect festival soundtrack whatever the weather. Marsicans have released a series of singles over the last couple of years, including the most recent Little Things, so expect a vibrant set-list of well known favourites this weekend.
The Maine
The Pit/The Lock Up
Reading – Friday // Leeds – Saturday
If you want to be reminded that You Are Ok, then The Maine are here to do this when they take to The Pit/The Lock Up this weekend. We have a feeling they’ll be providing plenty of singalong moments during their slot, with festival-friendly tracks such as Another Night On Mars and Numb Without You looking set to become memorable moments. The Maine will be staying over in the UK to perform at Gunnersville: You Me At Six on 8th September, head HERE for more details.
Against The Current
Main Stage
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
Against The Current return to Reading & Leeds Festival, following their Main Stage appearance in 2017. Since then the band have released their album Past Lives, so expect their 2019 Main Stage appearance to be revamped with more new material, as well as favourites from their 2016 debut full-length In Our Bones. If you love electronic-tinged pop rock then make sure Against The Current are firmly marked on your schedule, you may even leave their set with a new favourite band.
Boston Manor
BBC Radio 1 Stage
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
When Boston Manor released their second album Welcome To The Neighbourhood in September 2018 their sound evolution was apparent, but since then it has seen the quintet go from strength to strength. We can’t only hope their set will feature additional new material, following the release of their single Liquid in June, which features John Floreani of Trophy Eyes. Later this year Boston Manor are set to head out on a two month-long run of shows, which includes a UK/European tour and their debut North America headline tour, which gives you no excuse – catch their impressive live show at the festival or at one of their dates later this year.
Blood Youth
The Pit/The Lock Up
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
Photo Credit: Olli Appleyard
If you like your music dark and heavy then make your way over to The Pit/The Lock Up stage to see rising metalcore quartet Blood Youth. The band released their sophomore album Starve earlier this year, which pleased critics and fans alike, surpassing three million streams on Spotify since February. Their success has seen them support Prophets Of Rage, Stone Sour, While She Sleeps and Bury Tomorrow, impressing crowds throughout the UK and Europe with their hard-hitting live show – see for yourself as they return to the festival for a second year running and prepare to be blown away.
Night Riots
Festival Republic Stage
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
California alt-rock outfit Night Riots are going to provide the summery, wind in your hair vibes at Reading & Leeds Festival with their electro-infused sound. Earlier this year the quintet released their third album New State Of Mind through Sumerian Records, so now is the perfect chance to witness Travis Hawley‘s captivating stage presence in all its glory. Night Riots are a band destined to summon the sun, with their feel-good sound and catchy, inspiring choruses which are made to be sang loud and proud. If you don’t believe us, check out recent single Tokyo Diamond Eyes and try not to singalong.
Of Mice & Men
The Pit/The Lock Up
Reading – Saturday // Leeds – Sunday
Of Mice & Men are well known favourites amongst the metalcore scene and it’s no surprise, with their mosh pit inducing riffs and huge choruses which translate perfectly in a live atmosphere. The quartet recently announced their sixth full-length Earth And Sky and gave us a taste with the album’s title-track, which we hope will crop up on their setlist alongside fan favourites from their discography. August has been a busy month for the band, who have played headline shows among European festival slots, so they’ll be on their A game when they appear on The Pit/The Lock Up stage this weekend.
Mantra
BBC Radio 1 Stage
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Whether they’re the introduction to your festival on Friday in Leeds or helping you get through your final day at Reading, London alt-rock trio Mantra will kick off proceedings in style. The band released their debut album Dreamland earlier this year so expect to be treated to plenty of new material this weekend, including their dreamy single Russian Roulette. Since their formation in 2016 the band have performed alongside Jane’s Addition, Radkey and Little Matador, and appeared at SXSW, Reading & Leeds and 2000trees. Making their return to the festival this weekend, make sure you catch them on the BBC Radio 1 Stage for an energy-fuelled set that will set you up for the rest of the day.
Stand Atlantic
The Pit/The Lock Up
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Photo Credit: Brandon Lung
Australian pop-punks Stand Atlantic have been turning heads on UK soil, and deservedly so with the release of their album Skinny Dipping in late 2018. Earlier this year half of the dates on their headline run sold out, and now they return from down under to take on The Pit/The Lock Up stage. Expect to hear plenty of favourites from Skinny Dipping, the perfect festival soundtrack that will brighten your day and wash away any lurking hangovers.
Enter Shikari
Main Stage & The Pit/The Lock Up
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Photo Credit: Tom Pullen
If you’re a regular reader of our festival features you’ll have noticed Enter Shikari‘s name crop up more than once, but y’know what? If they’re on a festival line-up you’d be a fool to miss them. This year’s Reading & Leeds is a special one for the quartet, who will be performing two sets each day, featuring on the Main Stage and The Pit/The Lock Up stage. In the run up to the festival Shikari have released brand new single Stop The Clocks, their first original material since 2017’s album The Spark, which has been a firm favourite in their live setlist for some time. Expect to hear that amongst a whole host of tracks from their back catalogue, and prepare to party with one of the world’s most important and exciting bands.
Valeras
Festival Republic Stage
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Valeras have had a busy 2019, releasing a series of successful singles, touring with Yonaka and appearing at a plethora of festivals, gearing up for their set on the Festival Republic stage at Reading & Leeds. It’s easy to see why the quintet have been so in demand this year, their groove-infused indie is captivating and they have fun with it, you only have to listen to the likes of Playing With A Gun and Intentions to see for yourself. Whether you catch them in Leeds or their hometown of Reading, Valeras are guaranteed to put on a great show, and one you should definitely be a part of this weekend.
Kid Kapichi
BBC Music Introducing Stage
Reading – Sunday // Leeds – Friday
Punk-rockers Kid Kapichi have built a name for themselves on the live circuit, thanks to their chaotic shows filled with explosive riffs, plenty of crowd participation and powerful, straight talking lyrics. When they released their EP Sugar Tax earlier this year, their exciting, fresh take on world issues gained the attention of Radio 1, Kerrang! and Radio X. Punk definitely isn’t dead and bands like Kid Kapichi are proving this, and with it bringing a fresh lease of life.
Reading & Leeds Festival takes place between 23rd – 25th August, at Richfield Avenue (Reading) and Bramham Park (Leeds). For more information, the full line-up and remaining tickets head to the festival website.
Written by: Nicola Craig and Hannah Gillicker
