Reading and Leeds 2026 line-up and headliners announced

The first wave posters for the twin festivals are out now, topped by Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C. and RAYE

Pepsi MAX Present Reading & Leeds Festival has unveiled a formidable slate of headliners for 2026. Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + the Machine, Fontaines D.C. and RAYE will top the bill over the August bank holiday weekend, forming an all-British and Irish line-up not seen in a quarter of a century. Their appointment signals a confident statement from organisers keen to champion home-grown talent at a time when the UK and Ireland continue to punch above their weight.

In a further shake-up, Leeds will host performances on the Main Stage from Thursday for the first time. Kasabian will inaugurate the new slot, extending the weekend and giving Bramham Park a fresh four-day rhythm. Reading will maintain its traditional Friday start, though both sites will share the bulk of the bill across the long weekend.

Reading & Leeds are clearly betting on star power with range: Dave, now a defining voice in British rap; Florence Welch, who remains one of the country’s most commanding live forces; Charli xcx, fresh from a wave of critically acclaimed releases; and RAYE, whose reinvention has turned her into one of the UK’s most decorated contemporary songwriters. They are joined by Dublin’s Fontaines D.C., whose ascent from post-punk outsiders to Mercury-nominated heavyweights has been one of the best stories in music in recent years, and drum’n’bass titans Chase & Status.Beyond the top tier, Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, JADE, Josh Baker, Kneecap, Kettama and Geese are among those set to appear, with Chris Stussy performing an exclusive Reading set. Rising names Skye Newman, Adéla and Keo further extend a programme that blends established acts with emerging voices.

Reading 2026 line-up (A-Z)

Adéla
Charli xcx
Chase & Status
Dave
Florence + The Machine
Fontaines D.C.
Geese
JADE
Josh Baker
Keo
Kettama
Kneecap
RAYE
ROLE MODEL
Skepta
Skye Newman
sombr

Leeds 2026 line-up (A-Z)

Adéla
Charli xcx
Chase & Status
Dave
Florence + The Machine
Fontaines D.C.
Geese
JADE
Josh Baker
Kasabian
Keo
Kettama
Kneecap
RAYE
ROLE MODEL
Skepta
Skye Newman
sombr