Reading and Leeds Festival has come under fire in recent years for catering to a more mass audience than they did at their conception. Many rock fans have even sworn off the event completely, choosing to give their custom to Download, Slam Dunk, and a whole host of other worthy festivals. But this year, no matter how you feel about the acts who aren’t as rock-oriented as you might wish, there’s no doubt about it: there are only two places to be this August Bank Holiday, and either will be a highlight of your year.
With a bill that was already packed with icons new and old, R&L was irresistible right from the off – Twenty One Pilots‘ first headline slot, PVRIS’s shimmering rawness, the unfailing fun brought by punk-rockers The Distillers and pop-punk veterans Bowling For Soup, and the youthful edginess of newcomer Yungblud. We don’t even need to say more than ‘Foo Fightersheadlining’ to get you jumping to buy your tickets – what more could you want?
Prepare to be wowed: we’ve got drum and bass (no, not that kind of drum’n’bass) two piece Royal Blood set to draw immense crowds, second to headline on the main stage – up one step from their last slot, could this be the last time they don’t headline? We’ve got anthemic singalongs brought to us by the likes of Twin Atlantic and You Me At Six, and the guarantee of some killer moshpits thanks to A Day To Remember, The Story So Far and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes. We’ve got Bittersweet Press favourites Against The Current! We’ve got Enter Shikari! We’ve Got Enter Shikari! No, we didn’t just repeat ourselves – Enter Shikari really have announced they’re playing not one, but two full sets, across two stages, with two completely different setlists. After how special their last tour was, Rou Reynolds and co. have us convinced to come to R&L with this promise alone!!
So if you didn’t already get your ticket within seconds of seeing the line-up, there’s not a moment to lose. R&L is always massive fun, and it’s getting even more massive with every band they announce.
Tickets are available here.