Music

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Reading and Leeds 2025 – line-up deep dive

The only guide you’ll need to the names playing the UK's biggest twin festivals this August bank holiday

Reading and Leeds returns at the end of August, bringing a staggering number of big names with it. From the headliners you never thought you’d get to see live to the new artists you’re debating checking out, there’s almost too many names to get to grips with. Luckily, we’ve scoured the line-up to bring you a breakdown of this year’s artists.

The headliners

Hozier

Hozier - Too Sweet (Official Video)

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier has entranced a generation with his soulful vocals and stirring lyricism. From his hugely successful debut single ‘Take Me To Church’ to his third album, Unreal Unearth, an evocative journey into the underworld, the musician will bring his powerful discography to the main stage.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club (Official Music Video)

Few pop stars have risen with the velocity of Chappell Roan. The Best New Artist winner is a musical force to be reckoned with, lauded by critics and fans alike, and shaking up the mainstream music scene with her drag-influence aesthetic and unapologetic honesty. Not one to miss.

Bring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart

Sheffield rockers Bring Me The Horizon are genre chameleons, but their ability to tackle huge, philosophical concepts endures across their discography. Releasing their seventh studio album, Post Human: Next Gen, last year, the band’s two decades in music have garnered them not only a large, devoted following, but a great deal of respect in the industry for their forward-thinking sound.

Travis Scott

Travis Scott - SICKO MODE ft. Drake

One of the most successful rappers of the 21st century, eight-time Grammy winner Travis Scott is ready to light up the main stage. A pioneer in his genre, he’s worked with most of the biggest names in rap – including SZA, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé – and boasts four consecutive No.1 albums. Expect all his biggest tracks from ‘Sicko Mode’ to ‘4x’.

The heavy set

Enter Shikari

Enter Shikari - Sorry You're Not A Winner (Official Music Video)

It’s hard to pin Enter Shikari down to one genre – the British rockers blend alt-rock, post-hardcore and metalcore to create their unique sound, and quiet it is not. Expect political lyricism, high energy and a raucous good time.

House of Protection

House of Protection - Pulling Teeth (Official Music Video)

The electronicore duo from LA are still near the beginning of their career, having only released their debut single ‘It’s Supposed To Hurt’ in April last year. That said, they’ve been tapped as ones to watch, and their Reading and Leeds sets are the perfect time to get familiar.

Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff (Official Music Video)

Floridian rap metal outfit Limp Bizkit have been performing for three decades now, beginning in the Jackonsville underground music scene and graduating to some of the biggest stages in the world. Known for their elaborate visuals and unpredictable antics onstage, they’ll definitely play a set to remember.

The rap talent

Lancey Foux

Lancey Foux - LANCEY OR LANCEY (Official Music Video)

Beginning by freestyling over YouTube beats, Lancey Foux very quickly turned his talents to a debut album, Pink, released in 2015. Always evolving his sound, he’s gone on to release seven studio albums and four mixtapes in less than a decade, and is rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the genre.

Songer

Songer - Toxic Freestyle (Official Video)

Reading rapper Songer is an emerging star in UK grime. At just 23, he’s already racked up 200 streams across his catalogue and toured around the world – now he’s returning to Reading and Leeds after appearing with Bru-C last year.

 The ones who’ll get you dancing

Becky Hill

Becky Hill, David Guetta - Remember (Official Video)

Having released her second studio album, Believe Me Now?, last year, Becky Hill is going from strength to strength. One of the foremost dance artists in the UK, she’s topped the UK dance charts multiple times and always knows how to show a festival crowd a good time.

Jazzy

Jazzy, KILIMANJARO - No Bad Vibes (Official Video)

Irish dance-pop artist Jazzy became the first Irish solo female artist to top the Irish Singles Chart in over a decade with her first solo single, ‘Giving Me’. Just two years into her career as a solo artist, she’s already got a discography packed with infectious, sunny dance pop hits.

D-Block Europe

D-Block Europe - Overseas ft. @CentralCee (Official Music Video)

Known to fans as DBE, the British hip hop collective have launched a huge number of tracks into the UK Top 100. Formed in the early 2010s, they spent a few years cutting their teeth before their first mixtape, Any Minute Now, put them on the map. Now the duo are a force to be reckoned with and an act you definitely won’t want to miss at this year’s festival.

Example

Example - 'Kickstarts' (Official Video)

The singer-songwriter and producer brings his forward-thinking, crossover sound to Reading and Leeds this year, with a history of hits under his belt. Eight studio albums into his career, he’s an old hand with a festival crowd, and his discography boasts a spread of unmissable hip house and Eurodance tunes.  

The pen game gang

Conan Gray

Conan Gray - Heather

Since he went viral for the relatable yearning of ‘Heather’ in lockdown, Conan Gray has continued to deliver considered, confessional pop projects packed with smart and moving observations. Releasing his third studio album, Found Heaven, last year, the singer-songwriter is poised to become a huge name in Gen Z pop.

Del Water Gap

Del Water Gap - All We Ever Do Is Talk (Official Video)

The indie pop project of songwriter Samuel Holden Jaffe, Del Water Gap broke out in 2020 with the hugely successful single ‘Ode To A Conversation Stuck In Your Throat’. He’s since supported artists like Halsey, girl in red and Maggie Rogers on tour and released two studio albums.

Matilda Mann

Matilda Mann - See You Later (Official Music Video)

Singer-songwriter Matilda Mann writes introspective indie folk with insight and dexterity. Having previously opened for Arlo Parks and beabadoobee, she released her debut album, Roxwell, earlier this year, and is a hugely promising voice in UK indie.

The indie rockers

Amyl and the Sniffers

Amyl and The Sniffers - "U Should Not Be Doing That" (Official Music Video)

Masters of Australian pub rock, Amyl and the Sniffers released their third studio album, Cartoon Darkness, late last year. The group’s particular brand of punk rock has allowed them to quickly grow an international audience, thanks to their recognisable sound and the sense of humour that runs through their work.

Wunderhorse

WUNDERHORSE - TEAL

Wunderhorse evolved from Jacob Slater’s solo project to a quartet of rockers in 2021. Since then, they’ve opened for artists such as Fontaines D.C., Foals and Sam Fender, and have received a good deal of attention from UK critics. Their set promises well-crafted and thoughtful rock with great storytelling set to a raucous 90s sound.

Royel Otis

Royel Otis - Oysters in My Pocket (Official Music Video)

The Australian duo’s melodic, guitar-driven indie rock was rewarded with four ARIAs last year – a year that also saw the release of their debut studio album, Pratts & Pain, and their US television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live. They’re a hotly tipped live act and demand for their most recent live tour has been immense – don’t miss them here.

Wallows

Wallows - Hide It Away (Official Video)

Fronted by actor Dylan Minnette, American alt-rock outfit Wallows fuse an array of their favourite genres to create their blend of indie, folk, post-punk and dance pop. The group released their third studio album, Model, last year, to praise from critics.

The viral sensations

Good Kid

Good Kid - Premier Inn (Official Video)

Good Kid first began experiencing popularity on a huge scale amongst the Fortnite community, with streamers on Twitch and YouTube playing the band’s music in their streams. The group went on to work with the game, before expanding their audience with tour dates across the US and Canada. They’ll now bring their indie rock sound to the UK.

Good Neighbours

Good Neighbours - Home (Live from the Neighbourhood)

Musical duo Good Neighbours saw viral success when their debut single ‘Home’ took over on TikTok. Releasing their debut EP in October last year, the group are still early in their journey, but they’ve already gained an eager online following.

The vibiest DJs

Sammy Virji

Sammy Virji | Boiler Room: Denver

London-born DJ and producer Sammy Virji is an exciting name in garage right now, bringing his experimental and ever-evolving sound to UKG in an attempt to pioneer the genre and take it to a wider audience. Expect a blend of bassline and garage with elements of old-school house.

Badger

Badger’s Brighton i360 PullUp PopUp | PullUp & Boundaries [Full Set]

Badger is unafraid to embrace nostalgia, creating a musical journey for his crowds that travels through old favourites and new, undiscovered gems. His audience has grown quickly, a testament to his ability to give them what they want. Stop by his set for a good time.

The ones to know before everyone else

Alessi Rose

alessi rose - oh my (official video)

Tapped by her fans as the next Gracie Abrams, Alessi Rose’s thoughtful lyricism and gentle vocals position her to be a big name in the UK singer-songwriter space. She’s able to lean into fun pop production in some instances and deliver a heartrending ballad in others, opening up to her audience about her struggles in love and with her OCD. You might be hearing her name a lot more in the years to come.

Issey Cross

Issey Cross - Bittersweet Goodbye (Official Visual)

Pop artist Issey Cross has already worked with Wilkinson, Moby, Bru-C and Nathan Dawe, with her solo single ‘Bittersweet Goodbye’ climbing into the Top 20. She’s also racked up 2.3 million listeners on Spotify. If you haven’t started hearing her name yet, you will.

SOFIA ISELLA

SOFIA ISELLA - Crowd Caffeine (Lyric Video)

Following opening slots on Melanie Martinez’s Trilogy Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, SOFIA ISELLA’s star has only continued to rise. Biting back at injustice and the patriarchy with sharp, confronting lyricism and a high-energy, hypnotic performance style, she’s already making waves in the industry.

The hidden gems

Been Stellar

Been Stellar - Sweet (Official Video)

On debut album, Scream From New York, NY, Been Stellar confront failed communication, disillusionment and the loss of tenderness. The group have already toured with Fontaines D.C. and Shame, and have thrown themselves into capturing a sound that characterises the city in which they were undergrads, in all its disconnected glory.

Girls Don’t Sync

Girls Don't Sync Live From DJ Mag HQ

It’s very much the beginning for Girls Don’t Sync, an all-female group of DJs and producers who have built a fantastic live reputation for themselves. Bringing fresh energy and originality to UKG and house, they’ve previously played Glastonbury, Boomtown, Parklife and Lost & Found, and are now bringing the Girls Don’t Sync experience to Reading and Leeds.

Jasmine.4.t

jasmine.4.t - Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation (Official Video)

The first UK act signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ label Saddest Factory, Jasmine.4.t boasts a debut single produced by Boygenius and an undeniable skill with a pen. Her debut studio album, You Are The Morning, explores the transfeminine experience from every angle, with searing honesty and refreshing self-awareness.

The ones you really can’t miss

Lola Young

Lola Young - Messy (Official Video)

It’s been a big year for Lola Young. The singer-songwriter’s 2024 single ‘Messy’ experienced the kind of viral success most artists dream of, becoming the biggest streaming hit from a UK artist globally. A back catalogue of powerful R&B and indie pop make her well worth seeing live, as do her extraordinary vocals.

Bakar

Bakar - Hell N Back (Official Video)

UK rapper Bakar is a powerhouse performer, writing thoughtfully and fluently and weaving indie, rock and punk influences into his work. Singles ‘The Mission’ and ‘Hell n Back’ show him at his best, with both picking up a lot of traction online. Definitely don’t miss him live.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse - On This Love (Official Video)

Suki Waterhouse knows how to tell a beautiful story. Her dreamy, lyrical indie pop betrays a real knack for cutting to the emotional core, knitting together Americana, folk and 90s alternative influences. She’s a treat to see live, so make sure you take the opportunity.

Reading and Leeds Festival takes place between 21 – 24 August – find tickets here