A Brief History of Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals stand as twin pillars of the UK festival landscape, boasting a rich history that spans decades and encompasses a vast spectrum of musical genres. Their origins lie in the National Jazz and Blues Festival, first held in 1961 at Richmond Athletic Ground. This early incarnation focused primarily on jazz and blues acts, but as musical tastes evolved, so too did the festival.
By the mid-1960s, the festival had shifted its focus towards rock and progressive rock, attracting major acts like Pink Floyd, The Who, and Cream. In 1971, the festival relocated to Reading, Berkshire, establishing its long-term home at Little John’s Farm. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Reading became synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal, hosting legendary performances from bands like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and AC/DC.
The 1990s saw a diversification of the lineup, embracing grunge, indie rock, and alternative music. Nirvana’s iconic 1992 performance is often cited as a defining moment for the festival. However, this period also saw controversies, particularly regarding crowd violence and clashes between different music subcultures.
In 1999, the festival expanded to a second site in Leeds, at Temple Newsam, creating the twin-site format that continues to this day. This allowed the festival to cater to a wider audience and book a more diverse range of acts. The early 2000s saw a rise in popularity of indie and alternative rock, with bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Franz Ferdinand headlining.
In recent years, Reading and Leeds have continued to evolve, embracing a wider range of genres, including hip-hop, grime, and electronic music. This shift has attracted a younger audience and cemented the festival’s status as a leading force in the UK music scene. While the festival has faced challenges and criticisms over the years, its enduring popularity and influence on British music culture are undeniable. It remains a rite of passage for many music fans, offering a platform for both established legends and emerging talent.
Band Descriptions
Friday (Leeds) / Sunday (Reading):
- Travis Scott: A highly influential and controversial American rapper known for his energetic live performances and trap-infused sound.
- Sammy Virji: A UK DJ and producer known for his high-energy sets blending UK garage, bassline, and other electronic genres.
- Trippie Redd: An American rapper known for his eclectic style, blending elements of hip-hop, rock, and emo.
- Amyl and The Sniffers: An Australian punk rock band known for their raw energy and high-octane live shows.
- Suki Waterhouse: An English actress, model, and singer-songwriter with a dreamy, indie-pop sound.
- Antony Szmierek: A UK artist blending spoken word, hip-hop, and electronic music.
- The Dare: A UK band with a blend of electronic and indie influences.
- Del Water Gap: The project of American singer-songwriter S. Holden Jaffe, creating indie-pop with introspective lyrics.
- DJ EZ: A legendary UK garage DJ known for his fast-paced mixing and technical skills.
- Girls Don’t Sync: An all-female DJ collective known for their high-energy sets spanning various electronic genres.
- Good Kid: A Canadian indie rock band known for their catchy melodies and energetic performances.
- Lancey Foux: A UK rapper known for his experimental and genre-bending sound.
- Luvcat: A UK artist with a blend of electronic and pop influences.
- Nieve Ella: A UK singer-songwriter with a soulful and introspective sound.
- Sea Girls: A UK indie rock band known for their anthemic songs and energetic live shows.
- Songer: A UK rapper known for his fast-paced flow and intricate lyricism.
Saturday (Leeds) / Friday (Reading):
- Hozier: An Irish singer-songwriter known for his soulful vocals and blues-infused rock sound.
- Chappell Roan: An American pop singer known for her theatrical performances and catchy songs.
- The Kooks: A UK indie rock band known for their catchy melodies and Britpop influences.
- Bloc Party: A UK indie rock band known for their angular guitar riffs and energetic live shows.
- AJ Tracey: A UK rapper and grime artist known for his versatile flow and catchy hooks.
- Rudimental: A UK drum and bass collective known for their high-energy live shows and collaborations with various vocalists.
- Wallows: An American indie rock band featuring Dylan Minnette known for their catchy melodies and youthful energy.
- Soft Play: A UK punk rock duo (formerly Slaves) known for their raw energy and confrontational lyrics.
- Alessi Rose: A UK singer-songwriter with a soulful and R&B-influenced sound.
- The Chats: An Australian punk rock band known for their short, fast, and energetic songs.
- High Vis: A UK hardcore punk band known for their intense live shows and socially conscious lyrics.
- The Linda Lindas: An American punk rock band featuring young female musicians known for their raw energy and catchy songs.
- Lola Young: A UK singer-songwriter with a soulful and introspective sound.
- Mannequin Pussy: An American punk rock band known for their raw energy and confrontational lyrics.
- Sofia Isella: A UK artist with a blend of pop and electronic influences.
Sunday (Leeds) / Saturday (Reading):
- Bring Me The Horizon: A UK rock band known for their diverse sound, blending metalcore, electronic, and pop influences.
- Becky Hill: A UK singer known for her powerful vocals and dance-pop hits.
- Enter Shikari: A UK rock band known for their energetic live shows and blend of post-hardcore, electronic, and other genres.
- Conan Gray: An American singer-songwriter known for his introspective lyrics and pop-influenced sound.
- Wunderhorse: A UK rock band fronted by former Dead Pretties frontman Jacob Slater.
- Royel Otis: An Australian indie rock band known for their catchy melodies and energetic live shows.
- Balming Tiger: A South Korean alternative hip-hop collective known for their experimental sound and diverse lineup.
- Bilmuri: The solo project of Johnny Franck, blending pop-punk, electronic, and other influences.
- Blanco: A UK rapper known for his drill-influenced sound.
- Issey Cross: A UK singer-songwriter with a pop-influenced sound.
- Lambrini Girls: A UK punk rock band known for their raw energy and feminist lyrics.
- Pale Waves: A UK indie rock band known for their 80s-inspired sound and catchy melodies.
- Snow Strippers: A UK band with a blend of electronic and rock influences.
- South Arcade: A UK indie rock band.
