Reading & Leads Festival Previews
- Karis Raeburn, Contributor
- Aug 2, 2018
- 3 min read
Reading Festival / Leeds Festival
Reading, UK / Leeds, UK
24-26 August 2018
As usual, the August bank holiday weekend plays host to the oldest continuing music festival in the world and this year’s Reading festival (along with it’s slightly younger sister Leeds Festival) promises to be the best way to finish your summer with a bang. Reading and Leeds share the same line-up, just on different days, so whether you will be enjoying the music and the mud in the north or the south, here is who to check out;
Main Stage
Fall Out Boy headline (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday) so remember to bring your angst and eyeliner for the kings of emo, but it’s The Wombats who should really be able to take the crowd with them, their latest album “Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life” could have been created for a live festival stage.
Skindred (Reading Saturday / Leeds Sunday) like to remind people that they are more than “just” a live band - but what a live band they are, mixing reggae, rock, metal and rap they will certainly get you jumping. Trash Boat have an early slot but will start your day on the right (loud) note.
The Vaccines and the Courteeners (Reading Sunday / Leeds Friday) should give you your indie fix but the highlight of the main stage for me will be Billy Talent, if you don’t know these Canadian rockers with a punk sensibility don’t miss the chance to see them, you’re in for a treat.
BBC Radio 1 Stage
Nothing but Thieves (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday) will please the crowds with their anthemic indie, and if you like The Ramones be sure to check out SWMRS.
Deaf Havana (Reading Saturday / Leeds Sunday) will suit you if you are in a group who can’t agree about which bands to see as their music has a broad appeal, but if what you really want is all guitars all the time then go for West Thebarton.
Let’s Eat Grandma (Reading Sunday / Leeds Friday) provide something completely different but have the potential to offer an awesome set with everything from synths to saxophones. If you need things a bit punky and political try Skinny Girl Diet.
The Pit / The Lock Up
Royal Republic (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday) will provide those willing to venture away from the big stages with a fast-paced and fun time and while Trophy Eyes are not exactly feel good, they will still get you dancing.
If you like your drumming as loud as your vocals Blood Youth (Reading Saturday / Leeds Sunday) are for you. The mysterious internet presence of I Don’t Know How But They Found Me should pique your interest whether or not you are into their synth pop sound, during their set anything could happen.
Hollywood Undead (Reading Sunday / Leeds Friday) will probably be the most polished outfit on this stage and at the opposite end of the spectrum are Lowlives for those looking for some grunge.
Festival Republic Stage
The Horrors (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday) will keep things interesting here as will Wild Front.
Starcrawler (Reading Saturday / Leeds Sunday) have a bit of an 80s glam rock vibe with some punk thrown in and Pretty Vicious will just rock you out.
Hippo Campus (Reading Sunday / Leeds Friday) are perfect if you need to calm down from the heavy rock in Reading or start things slowly in Leeds and Demob Happy will get you back up again.
If you are worn out from rocking there are some stellar stand-up comedy acts to be found on the Alternative Stage and there are also plenty of smaller dance based tents to enjoy across both festivals. There is certainly something for everyone here, so whatever you choose, enjoy the last weekend of the summer at Reading and Leeds.
Overall this is a genuinely helpful and enthusiastic preview that covers all four stages with real knowledge and personality. The writing makes you feel the excitement of the weekend rather than just listing names, and the practical tips about which acts suit which moods or group dynamics are exactly what a festival preview should offer. For fans who want to document their Reading or Leeds experience, a growth chart calculator tool could track personal festival milestones year on year. A mixed number calculator tool is useful for splitting costs fairly across a group. A cup converter tool and a grams to cups converter tool help with preparing food and drinks for the campsite. A Pythagorean theorem calculator tool could even help with tent placement geometry…
The mention of stand-up comedy on the Alternative Stage is a welcome reminder that Reading and Leeds are not purely music events. The comedy acts provide a genuine break from the sensory intensity of the main stages and give festival-goers a chance to sit down, laugh, and recharge before heading back into the crowd. That variety is part of what makes these festivals feel like complete cultural experiences rather than just concerts. For fans designing festival-themed creative projects, a square footage calculator tool could help plan a festival-inspired art installation or stage layout. A cubic feet calculator tool is useful for estimating storage space in a campervan or festival vehicle. A density calculator tool might help with practical packing decisions when weight limits…
The Festival Republic Stage lineup is a lovely counterpoint to the main stage heaviness. Hippo Campus being recommended as a way to calm down from the heavy rock or ease into the day slowly is exactly the kind of nuanced programming advice that makes this preview so useful. Starcrawler's 80s glam rock with punk energy sounds like exactly the kind of act that becomes a festival highlight for people who stumble across them without prior knowledge. For fans who enjoy exploring music from different countries and eras, a random country generator tool could inspire a listening challenge to discover festival-worthy bands from unexpected places. A moon sign calculator tool might appeal to festival-goers who enjoy connecting music moods with personal emotional cycles.…
Reading Festival being the oldest continuing music festival in the world is a fact that deserves more celebration than it usually gets. There is something genuinely special about an event that has been running continuously for decades, adapting its lineup and stages while keeping the core spirit of a community gathering around live music. The August bank holiday timing makes it feel like a proper send-off for the British summer. For music fans thinking about the economics of festival attendance, a markup calculator tool could help model the true cost of a festival weekend including tickets, travel, camping gear, and food. A pay raise calculator tool connects to the broader conversation about fair wages for festival workers, security staff, and the many…
The Pit and Lock Up stages are where Reading and Leeds often produce the most memorable moments, and this year's lineup there looks genuinely exciting. Hollywood Undead bringing polish to a stage that also features the grungy chaos of Lowlives is a great contrast, and I Don't Know How But They Found Me is exactly the kind of mysterious, internet-born act that thrives in a festival environment where anything can happen. For festival-goers staying active and healthy across the weekend, a strength training calculator tool could help plan pre-festival fitness preparation. A protein calculator for weight loss tool supports nutrition planning for those who want to keep energy levels high across three days of walking, dancing, and standing. A recipe calorie calculator…