An Alternative Reading & Leeds Festival Preview Part 1

Words: Neil Cole

Additional reporting by Richard Cobb

The main stage understandably takes most of the limelight at Reading and Leeds, but as it has become increasingly commercial over the years, it has left many music fans disillusioned. People have even been suggesting the famous rock-centred festival is now going the way of V Festival, with a small pool of high-profile acts on loop as perennial headliners.

However, thankfully the organisers at Reading and Leeds haven't neglected their roots, but have instead moved most of the less-established indie/rock/ guitar bands (however you want to pigeon hole them) to the smaller stages. This is an unfortunate reflection of the tastes of the majority of people who go to the big summer festivals in the UK these days… but on the plus side it means you can still see some great new music on smaller stages with a more intimate crowd.

This preview deliberately avoids the main stage, and picks out some of the fantastic bands you can see in the tents across the three days of Reading & Leeds.


FRIDAY (Reading) / SATURDAY (Leeds)

Open your festival with some blues-tinted rock from BARNS COURTNEY (Festival Republic Stage, 12:00) with the hardcore few who get into the festival as soon as the gates open. Then head over to the newest stage on the site to see ANTEROS (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 12:40) who have now been touring their set for so long they are too slick to be on this early. This is a band who opened the enormous Other Stage at Glastonbury in 2016!



Our pick of the day is THE AMAZONS (Festival Republic Stage, 14:10) who are from Reading and are sure to pull a huge crowd in the tiniest tent on site. Over the last 12 months they have become a ferocious live band, and with a debut album under their belts now they have no shortage of material to fill out what could be the most memorable set of the weekend.



Next it's the chart friendly guitar-pop of DECLAN MCKENNA (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 15:20), another act making waves with a debut album out this year. For something completely different head over to catch THE SHIMMER BAND (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 18:05), who have really developed their live set since playing the BBC Introducing Stage here in 2016. Although yet to really break out, they are a band with some epic tunes under their belt, including the glorious 'Sunkick' which is destined to make it to the bigger stages in future years.



For those keen to avoid the chart friendly noise of Bastille on the main stage, the best place to be is the Festival Republic Stage for a great double header. THE DISTRICTS (Festival Republic Stage, 20:00) have been around for what seems like ages now, and have developed a unique raw, grungey sound to their set. Then it's a change of tack as JAGWAR MA (Festival Republic Stage, 20:50) make their Reading & Leeds return with a new album but the same bass-heavy, uplifting dance vibe as always.



There are rumours of a high profile secret set, and the Reading schedule suggests this may be at about 21:15 on the NME / Radio 1 Stage… as always keep checking social media to see if it's happening! Alternatively, check out ASYLUMS (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 21:40) for what is sure to be an entertaining, manic rock 'n roll show.



For those avoiding Kasabian, my choice of headliner is BEAR'S DEN (Festival Republic Stage, 22:00) who led some of the loudest sing-alongs of the year at Reading three years ago. Their newer stuff is slightly more melancholy than their debut so may not be great for a 'festival buzz' but their live show certainly provides a total contrast from tonight's main stage headliners.

Richard Cobb: If you’ve not managed to squeeze into the tent of your choice, or see the band you'd hoped to, don’t be too disheartened. Birmingham’s garage punk rock outfit THE COSMICS (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 12:00*) kick things off early and are well worth a shot. Self-proclaimed council pop-rockers THE ASSIST followed by London’s THE WHOLLS both grace the Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 14:05* and are certain to ramp up the energy.



After you’ve polished off some fine Pan-Asian cuisine, you can catch the fresh sounding MINT at a stage which should now feel like your second home (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 19:40*).

*Reading only.