With Glastonbury out of the way, Drake‘s Wireless takeover in the rearview mirror, and Download feeling like ancient history, all attention turns to the August bank holiday – which means Reading & Leeds festivals.
With their daring and innovative line-ups that always pack some surprises, the twin festivals continue to reshape their identity year after year. Crucially, they maintain a sense of their roots, giving a home to alternative artists while simultaneously pulling in the household names of today.
Take Travis Scott, whose headline slots at Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park mark his only shows in Europe. Or Sheffield rock gods Bring Me The Horizon, who will finally close the festival after climbing up the ranks and co-headlining with Steel City pals Arctic Monkeys in 2022. Then there’s the small matter of global megastars Chappell Roan and Hozier, who will respectively bring their world-beating 2024 hits ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ and ‘Too Sweet’ to R+L.
Below this current Mount Rushmore of musicality are some of the most exciting fresh blood – spanning rock, pop, rap, electronic and much more. If you were lucky enough to once catch Sam Fender at the Festival Republic stage or The 1975 on the BBC Introducing stage, 2025 will undoubtedly have plenty more ‘I was there’ moments.
From summery indie to harsh rave-punk and liquid drum ‘n’ bass, we’ve picked out 12 essential names to add to your Reading & Leeds schedule.
Ashley Singh
Who: Spellbinding singer-songwriter from London who tugs at the heartstrings
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Chappell Roan might be headlining the main stage, but BBC Introducing have hand-picked an absolute gem to go up against her. His nuanced, wispy songs about heartbreak and affection move with the minimalism of Bon Iver but also the flair of Lewis Capaldi. With debut album ‘Where Are You Tonight?’ on the way this autumn, the raw, immersive combination of Singh and his acoustic guitar could propel him towards stardom.
Key track: ‘10 Summers’
Where to catch them: BBC Introducing Stage. Reading: Friday, 7:20pm / Leeds: Saturday, 7:20pm
Balu Brigada
Who: Super-slick indie siblings on The Cover of NME this week
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Now based in NYC, the New Zealand natives mould their addictive indie-rock sound with sound palettes from all across the globe, be it The Strokes or Gorillaz. Arguably the biggest guitar band you’ve not yet heard of, 4million Spotify monthly listeners speaks for itself. If you’re planning to catch Wunderhorse or Royel Otis, give brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley a chance too – they’re next in line to become global guitar icons.
Key track: ‘So Cold’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Sunday, 1:45pm / Leeds: Friday, 1:30pm
Bilmuri
Who: Recent Sleep Token support act fusing country-tinged pop with metalcore
Why they’re perfect for R+L: For a festival that simultaneously hosted Dasha and Spiritbox on last year’s main stage, Bilmuri operate at the crossroads between the two that we didn’t know existed. There’s sax, radio-ready chorus hooks and chunky riffs, somehow coexisting under the same sonic umbrella. Having grafted for nearly a decade, the Ohio-born Johnny Franck is finally getting his flowers – partially thanks to last December’s UK arena run with Sleep Token.
Key track: ‘Better Hell (Thicc Boi)’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Saturday, 7:20pm / Leeds: Sunday, 6:50pm
Charlotte Plank
Who: Prolific Rudimental collaborator climbing up the drum ‘n’ bass ranks
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Since the London-based artist was named on 2023’s NME 100, she’s become one of DnB’s most in-demand vocalists, working with Hybrid Minds, Turno and Skepsis. In her own right, there are plenty more strings to her bow, whether it’s referencing Groove Armada (‘Nightshift’) or channelling her love for guitar music (‘Lost Boys’). With the daunting Chevron stage at her disposal, this set will be a glimpse of the megastar Plank is about to become.
Key track: ‘Rage’
Where to catch them: Chevron Stage. Reading: Friday, 1:00pm / Leeds: Saturday, 12:35pm
Cliffords
Who: Cork storytellers whipping up cathartic indie magic
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Moody, passionate and, at times, larger-than-life, Cliffords’ steadily-growing catalogue is a sprawling megamix of emotions. Told through the bewitching, masterful voice of Iona Lynch, the Cork quartet’s tales originate from close to home while still carrying that feathery sense of universality. Like fellow Irish acts Inhaler and Fontaines D.C. in years before them, this set could be the first marker in a long-standing relationship between Cliffords and this festival.
Key track: ‘My Favourite Monster’
Where to catch them: BBC Introducing Stage. Reading: Sunday, 12:55pm / Leeds: Friday, 12:55pm
Girl Group
Who: Bullish bubblegum pop that celebrates girlhood
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Often feeling unwelcome at male-dominated studio sessions while studying in Liverpool, Girl Group took matters into their own hands. The gleeful five-piece celebrate sisterhood through an entrancing mix of hyperpop, indie and all-round euphoria that keeps you on your toes. If you need a cure for your hangover, Girl Group’s midday set will have you ready for another pint by the end.
Key track: ‘Your Fantasy’
Where to catch them: BBC Introducing Stage. Reading: Friday, 12:00pm / Leeds: Saturday, 12:00pm
Jasmine.4.t
Who: Galvanising indie-folk signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ own label
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Seven years on from a “life-changing” support slot with Lucy Dacus in 2018, Jasmine Cruickshank’s delicate songwriting is finally getting the love it deserves. From queer joy to self-betterment, Cruickshank’s music evokes memories of Wilco and Boygenius (who co-produced her debut album), while her artist name is a playful nod to trans-4-trans love. From gnarly guitar work to confessional tearjerkers, Cruickshank has the full package for a festival set.
Key track: ‘Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Friday, 2:05pm / Leeds: Saturday, 1:40pm
Mouth Culture
Who: Charming and fiery Leicester pop-punks who wear their emotions on their sleeve
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Before they broke up, You Me At Six were a staple at this festival – and there’s no better band to fill that void than Mouth Culture. In their short discography, this trio of housemates already have stadium-rock ballads, sharp commentary on masculinity, and mosh pit mayhem. R+L has always platformed the next torchbearers of British rock, and on that front, Mouth Culture have all the necessary charisma and attitude to succeed.
Key track: ‘Ratbag’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Saturday, 2:05pm / Leeds: Sunday, 1:40pm
Nemzzz
Who: Manchester drill hotshot personally approved by Drake
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Memorable performances from Dave, Little Simz and Knucks have helped solidify UK rap as a force of nature on the R+L line-up in recent years, and now it’s time for Nemzzz to have his turn. Crash landing onto The Cover of NME last April, the Mancunian grafter has a reflective, vivid edge to his lyricism, while remaining fundamentally self-assured and independent. April mixtape ‘Rent’s Due’ gatecrashed the UK Top 10, so don’t be surprised to see Nemzzz soon follow his collaborators Central Cee and D-Block Europe up the R+L ranks.
Key track: ‘Cold’
Where to catch them: Chevron Stage. Reading: Friday, 2:45pm / Leeds: Saturday, 2:15pm
Nxdia
Who: Bilingual alt-pop prodigy responsible for viral TikTok hit ‘She Likes A Boy’
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Born and raised in Cairo but now Manchester-based, Nxdia’s brand of playful yet gutsy alt-pop slots straight into the lineage of Olivia Rodrigo and Paramore. Their lovestruck, expressive storytelling has made them a vital voice for queer Arabs, seamlessly told through both English and Arabic. With a debut mixtape under their belt, this well-deserved BBC Introducing Stage headline slot will prove why Nxdia has the live show to match.
Key track: ‘Jennifer’s Body’
Where to catch them: BBC Introducing Stage. Reading: Saturday, 8:15pm / Leeds: Sunday, 8:15pm
Snayx
Who: Raucous Brighton punks building a dedicated cult following
Why they’re perfect for R+L: It’s an excruciating clash, but choosing Snayx over Soft Play will be a decision you won’t regret. The trio have shedloads of fun in between sneery, political commentary via turbocharged, bass-driven punk. Beneath the ruckus, they’ve all got hearts of gold and steadfast morals. Royal Blood and Frank Carter are huge fans – so get involved.
Key track: ‘Sink Or Swim’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Friday, 4:35pm / Leeds: Saturday, 4:10pm
Vlure
Who: Euphoric rave-rock from Glasgow with unstoppable intensity
Why they’re perfect for R+L: Vlure are for the thrill-seekers and dreamers. Imminent debut album ‘Escalate’ pays tribute to this ethos of transcendence and their beloved Glasgow, all narrated by Hamish Hutcheson’s thick, fortified accent. Armed with the brute force of The Prodigy and a limitless ceiling of bliss, the beating heart of Vlure is that convergence of the core genres that now define R+L.
Key track: ‘Feels Like Heaven’
Where to catch them: Festival Republic Stage. Reading: Saturday, 4:35pm / Leeds: Sunday, 4:10pm
Reading & Leeds will return for the August Bank Holiday weekend. Visit here for any remaining tickets.