Ok Reading and Leeds. We see you. After dividing fans with their shifting lineup year on year, it’s always the same cycle. The first line-up drops, the naysayers make their voices heard from every different genre demographic there is, and then R&L continue to add a steady stream of names until every single person creeps back with their tail between their legs for an unbeatable weekend of music. There’s a reason R&L have been icons in the scene for so long, and the names they’ve added really sweeten the deal for rock fans. Tickets might be sold out now, but here’s all the reasons you should be on the ball for resale.

Genre itself has started to blur, and R&L are on the cutting edge of it. Friday Reading/Saturday Leeds has an unmissable set of pit names – make sure you get the party going early on, because BSP favourites Bad Nerves will be making sure that we kick things off with a bang with their afternoon slot on the lock-up. Now don’t move – because we’ve also got sets from the broadest, hottest range of rock acts on the scene. Wargasm and Ashnikko’s opposite versions of sliding rock into electronica are set to cause a riot, Nova Twins, Yonaka and Boston Manor are ready to provide every kind of mosh-pit you can think of, and we’re headed up by the legendary Gallows. Frank Carter is one of the best performers to ever grace any festival with his presence, so this looks like it’s a guaranteed golden ending to a fantastic day of music.

Now, your legs will be tired, and your head will be pounding, but wake up, hydrate, and get ready to do it all over. Because Saturday Reading/Sunday Leeds is bringing the heavy, heavy, heavy. Ho99o9 and Bob Vylan practically leap off that lineup poster and claw their way into our stomach to start building the excitement for some utterly crushing mosh-pits, and when you cast your eyes over the rest of the Pit’s lineup, the sight of Creeper, Fever 333 and Badflower will certainly inspire similar feelings. Hang on a second, though – what’s going on? Fever 333 are also billed on Main Stage West! Looks like Jason Aalon Butler and co. will be pulling a Shikari on us – and, well. We all know how that went down. Also creeping in across the other stages are BSP favourites IDKHOW, so get that voice warmed up for the singalong of your life, and get your dancing shoes on for Oliver Tree’s sick beats too.

R&L have also announced the stage splits – which for those who’ve spent year on year loitering around The Pit all day waiting to discover their next favourite band (as we have many a time) will be a sore realisation. Yes, The Pit, The Lock-Up and the Festival Republic stage have become one. The festival’s upgrade to having two main stages definitely allows for more iconic names hitting the huge stages, but it comes at a loss – there’s a whole day (Sunday at Reading, and Friday at Leeds) WITH NO DEDICATED ROCK STAGE. But don’t let that trick you into thinking there’s nothing for you there – because Main Stage West has your back. R&L have done us one better with a rock main stage. The iconic Queens of the Stone Age have a delicious billing beneath them. Dream duo Yungblud and Machine Gun Kelly will play back to back sets, so catch your breath and get ready to jump around and scream your heart out – that is, if you’ve got any energy left from Neck Deep, who are bringing their world-class pop-punk along. And opening up the stage, it’s pop-punk royalty-in-waiting Hot Milk! Don’t mind if we do spend all day kicking it at this stage instead.

Oh R&L – we always know we can count on you.

On your marks, get set, resale.