We’re inundated with festival announcements this time of year – from small to medium to huge, we’ve been eagerly spying for the best, Bittersweetest bands whether they’re headlining or at the bottom of the undercard. But finally, the big one, the one everyone’s been waiting for has dropped, and it’s safe to say that Reading and Leeds has come through with some gems.

If you’re anything like us, your eyes will have zoomed straight down the page, regardless of the rock royalty on the main stage, for the clear highlights of the weekend – The Pit. The headliners come in the form of teen-emo icons Sleeping With Sirens, the absolutely riotous Fever 333, and hardcore royalty Gallows – three huge clues that we’re in for a treat. Reading on, The Pit covers every brand of rock there is – Dune Rats providing a delicious taste of Australian sun and skate-punk fun, Bladee’s contemporary, edgy rap-rock, The Bronx and Cancer Bats providing a double-billing of non-stop viciousness, Bittersweet faves Creeper’s theatrical marvelousness following straight on from yet more Bittersweet faves in the form of the incomparable HO99O9. You name it, The Pit provides!

Yet as soon as you’re finished examining the lineup for R+L’s greatest stage, you’re struck with horror – the main stage is also absolutely providing the goods, how could we have overlooked it? Because, gracing the headline spot on Sunday night (Friday night in Leeds), is absolute pinnacles of rock Rage Against The Machine – whether you’ve been a diehard fan for ever or just bopped along to Killing In The Name at your local alt club, every fan in the world is in agreement: this set is going to be unmissable.

Also hitting the main stage are the unfailingly enjoyable All Time Low, so get ready to relive your youth in the bright sunshine of the August Bank Holiday weekend. There’s rock bands representing the scene with fantastically festival-ready vibes scattered all through the lineup, with Waterparks taking to the BBC Radio 1 Stage, IDLES following them later, absolutely ready to tear it up, and The Maine wowing us on the Main Stage too.

Even hiding in bands that you might not straight away think are Bittersweet’s scene, there’s golden performances sure to be found. Joining RATM in headline slots are the undeniably iconic Liam Gallagher, and the incredible, powerful Stormzy, and tucked away further down the lineup are acts from all genres that bring the energy and the bangers we love Reading and Leeds for. FONTAINES D.C.’s electrifying post-punk, Sea Girls’ compelling singalongability, Declan Mckenna and Sam Fender’s charismatic, guaranteed-to-get-you-moving songwriting, Inhaler’s stadium sized indie-rock, Sports Team’s tongue-in-cheek delivery and unrelenting crowds, to name but a few! Even branching beyond indie and indie-rock, if you want a mosh, look no further than acts like Slowthai and AJ Tracey – there’s a big big reason that they had some of the biggest crowd draws of last year’s Reading and Leeds, so make sure you’re there to see them this time.

Convinced yet? You must be. Don’t miss out on tickets and find yourself panicking with a week to go realising you’re on the brink of missing what’s always one of the best weekends of the year! If this is only the first announcement, imagine how much better it’s going to get.

Click here to get tickets! If you need reminding of how good Reading can be, here’s what we thought of highlights Enter Shikari and FIDLAR last year!