Boasting what is arguably its best line-up to date (which might explain
why Reading weekend tickets have already sold out and Leeds not far
behind) the UK’s most loved festival is back and bigger than ever. With
headliners Eminem, Biffy Clyro and Green Day you cannot complain about
there being diversity between acts, but if these big names don’t really
float your boat then there’s still a whole host of other acts on offer
over what’s pushing close to 10 stages per site. Wireless will try and
summerize in 1000 words or less who you should not miss out on!
(Disclaimer; we won’t really be talking much about the headliners because
everyone who’s anyone knows about them!)
THURSDAY
 |
| Catch Dutch Uncles at the Dance To The Radio Stage, Leeds |
Although
R&L is technically a 3 day festival, those who’ve opted to go for
the entire weekend rather than just a day are treated to an extra night
of entertainment to make sure you are especially hyped for the weekend
ahead.
LEEDS attendees will have the choice of the Relentless
Energy Stage and the Dance To The Radio Stage which will see DJ
Yoda/Dutch Uncles headline respectively. Both stages also have a
plethora of other great acts to get you in that festival spirit whether
you’re more into upcoming indie rock or raving with the next big DJ’s.
READING
attendees unfortunately do not have either of these stages that Leeds
have but there is always bound to be a party just a stone’s throw away.
If there isn’t one, then the responsibility is on you to make one! And
hey, you get 2 silent discos rather than the singular one at Leeds so
quit your whining!
FRIDAY
 |
| Fall Out Boy will be rockin' the main stage at Leeds |
LEEDS sees festival
heavyweights Fall Out Boy (main stage), Azealia Banks (R1/NME stage) and
Knife Party (dance stage) take to Bramham Park but even if these
ginormous names don’t take your fancy then there’s still a whole array
of other talent on display. Student favourites Hadouken will make their
first ever main stage appearance, Enter Shikari’s spin-off Shikari Sound System will be bringing a whole load of noise over to
the Rock Stage and the day will also feature the highly anticipated
return of Nine Inch Nails (main stage).
 |
| Wireless favourites Bastille will be bitchslapping the NME/Radio One stage all over the place. |
READING sees dubstep
overlord Skrillex headline the R1/NME stage alongside mainstage
appearances from System Of A Down, Frank Turner and Deftones. Festival
favourites Bastille and Deap Vally will surely attract a big crowd over
on the R1/NME
stage. New Found Glory have announced that they
will play their famous Sticks & Stones album in full during their
slot (main stage) and Alkaline Trio return to the festival for their 7th
time, this time headline the Lock-Up stage.
MUST SEE ACTS:
Leeds:
Shikari Sound System – Rock Stage. Dog Is Dead – BBC Introducing Stage.
Disclosure – R1/NME stage. And So I Watch You From Afar – Rock Stage.
Reading: FIDLAR – R1/NME Stage. The Strypes – Festival Republic Stage.
Peace – R1/NME Stage.
POTENTIAL CLASHES:
Leeds: Biffy
Clyro vs Phoenix. Hadouken vs AlunaGeorge. Gallows vs Pure Love.
Reading: System Of A Down vs Major Lazer. Sub Focus vs Skrillex. Frank
Turner vs Bastille.
SATURDAY
 |
| The awesome Deap Vally make an appearance on the NME/Radio One Stage |
LEEDS today has the chance to
witness the man who brought dubstep to the masses as Skrillex comes
down to headline the R1/NME stage, along with mainstage appearances from
System Of A Down, Frank Turner and Deftones. Festival favourites
Bastille and Deap Vally will likely be wowing a huge crowd over on the
R1/NME stage. New Found Glory have announced that they will play their
famous Sticks & Stones album in full during their slot (main stage)
and keeping with a pop-punk theme, Alkaline Trio return to the festival
for their 7th time to headline the Lock-Up stage.
 |
| Everyones favourite singer/songwriter Jake Bugg will be getting the crowd going on NME/Radio 1 Stage |
READING is the
perfect place for you to be if you are on the lookout for new indie
bands to get into as the following take to the festival; Palma Violets,
Foals, White Lies, Swim Deep, Jake Bugg, The 1975, Alt-J, DIIV, Skaters, Darwin Deez, Splashh and many, many more. Ska-punk fans are also in for
a treat as King Prawn and Sonic Boom Six play back-to-back over on the
Lock-Up stage but if you love nothing better than a rave then you are
certainly in luck as acts like Flux Pavillion, Chase & Status and
Modestep play over a variety of stages.
MUST SEE ACTS:
Leeds:
FIDLAR – R1/NME Stage. The Strypes – Festival Republic Stage. Peace –
R1/NME Stage. Zane Lowe – Relentless Energy Stage.
Reading: King Prawn –
Lock Up Stage. Swim Deep – Festival Republic Stage. Chance The Rapper –
1xtra Stage. The Bronx – Lock Up Stage.
POTENTIAL CLASHES:
Leeds:
System Of A Down vs Major Lazer. Sub Focus vs Skrillex. Frank Turner vs
Bastille. Reading: Deaf Havana vs The Blackout. Chase & Status vs
Jake Bugg. Devlin vs Eminem.
SUNDAY
 |
| The incredible Chase and Status will be bursting eardrums on the mainstage at Leeds. |
LEEDS has the
privilege of hosting every modern day indie-rockers wet dream as the
following take to the festival; Jake Bugg, Foals, White Lies, Swim Deep,
The 1975, Darwin Deez, Palma Violets, Splashh, Alt-J, DIIV, Skaters and
many, many more. Ska fans are also in for a treat as King Prawn and
Sonic Boom Six play back-to-back over on the Lock-Up stage and if your
normal Sunday night consists of a rave (who’s doesn’t?) then you can
keep with tradition and see acts like Modestep, Chase & Status
and Flux Pavillion over a variety of stages.
 |
| Shikari Sound System will be headlining the Rock Stage on Sunday night at Reading. |
READING will see
crowd-pleasers Fall Out Boy (main stage), Knife Party (dance stage) and
Azealia Banks (R1/NME stage) take to Little Johns Farm, but even if
these mega names don’t wet your appetite then there’s still plenty of
other talent on display. Festival favourites Hadouken return to Leeds
once again, this time moving up the ranks to the main stage. The incredibly talented rock n roll monsters Heaven's Basement along with Enter
Shikari’s spin-off group ‘Shikari Sound System’ will also be bringing a
whole load of noise over to the Rock Stage and the closing day will also
feature the highly anticipated return of Nine Inch Nails.
MUST SEE ACTS:
Leeds:
King Prawn – Lock Up Stage. Swim Deep – Festival Republic Stage. The
Bronx – Lock Up Stage. Chance The Rapper – 1xtra Stage.
Reading: Shikari
Sound System – Rock Stage. Dog Is Dead – BBC Introducing Stage.
Disclosure – R1/NME stage. And So I Watch You From Afar – Rock Stage. Heaven's Basement - Rock Stage.
POTENTIAL CLASHES:
Leeds:
Chase & Status vs Jake Bugg. Deaf Havana vs The Blackout. Devlin vs
Eminem. Reading: Biffy Clyro vs Phoenix. Hadouken vs AlunaGeorge.
Gallows vs Pure Love.
There are also some fantastic comedians worth checking out across the weekend at both sites, with Judah Friedlander, Rob Delaney and Josh Widdicombe certainly good for a mid afternoon giggle.
Reading Festival is totally sold out, for last minute Leeds tickets head to www.leedsfestival.com/tickets/weekend-tickets
WORDS: NATHAN SIMM
