This year, we’re covering Leeds Festival, just a few miles from our base of York. In this article, Alex West and Mariella Bevan look forward to a weekend of sun, unfortunate band clashes, plus lots of great music, and aim to provide you with the perfect guide to the four days.
Thursday
Thursdays are often completely overlooked at Reading and Leeds — perceived more as a classic campfire night rather than a musical highlight. But this year at Leeds is slightly different: the Festival Republic Stage is the place to be, as local musicians Far Caspian and then Tallsaint take to the stage at 7pm and 7:45pm respectively, before Boy Azooga arrives at 8:30pm.
Boy Azooga
The Cardiff-based artist (real name Davey Newington) is creating one of the most exciting alternative British sounds. After a support tour for The Magic Gang and an appearance on Jools Holland, he follows that up with his debut at Reading and Leeds this year amongst a string of other Festival appearances. Expect a dynamic and entertaining set as he plays songs from his first LP, 1, 2, Kung Fu!, out in June earlier this year.
Anteros
Having released their initial self-titled EP back in 2014, Laura Hayden and Joshua Rumble were then joined in 2016 by Jackson Couzens and Harry Balazs, who complete the line-up of this dream pop four-piece. The good news is, you won’t have to move to enjoy them: the Londoners are on the Festival Republic Stage at 9:15pm. After their latest single, Call Your Mother, made our Top Ten New Tracks last week, we have high hopes for their second appearance at Reading and Leeds.
Beyond Anteros’ set, there’s an interesting choice at just past 10pm — you can either enjoy the performance of literal meme Big Shaq (the stage name of comedian Michael Dapaah) on the Leeds’ Alternative Stage at 10:10pm, or stay at the Festival Republic Stage for political punk rock act The Blinders at 10:15pm. We suggest bouncing between the two, as grime star Chip (formerly Chipmunk) follows the former on the Leeds’ Alternative Stage at 10:35pm, rounding off a solid first day.
Friday
On Friday, things begin heating up. Dinosaur Pile-Up open the Main Stage at midday, before The Joy Formidable enter at 12:50pm. There’s a hidden gem at 1:20pm, as Saltwater Sun, a quintet originating in Reading, where their set will no doubt be highly anticipated. In Leeds, things are likely to be a bit more low-key, but after support from BBC Radio 6Music, Radio X and BBC Radio 1, expect one of the largest crowds at the BBC Music Introducing Stage to assemble for an energetic and joyful set. From there, we recommend you head off to the BBC Radio 1 Stage for Let’s Eat Grandma at 1:40pm.
Let’s Eat Grandma
For a band that named themselves after an (albeit, morbid) grammar joke, this duo can be pretty serious. The humorous side of this darkness does come out on stage however, with their quirky performance style making the music even more engaging. As they’re not even out of their teens, the youthfulness of the two girls Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth is evident in their high-pitched vocals, but the tone of the music betrays maturity and darkness beyond their years. With the release of their latest album I’m All Ears, which features fuzzy, crunching production from avant-garde artist SOPHIE, expect more experimental pop as well as the more serious older material.
Shame
After Let’s Eat Grandma, we recommend you head straight to the Main Stage to get as close to the front for this next act, on at 2:30pm. Shame played Reading and Leeds last year, just as the hype around them was beginning to grow, and I was fortunate enough to catch them for an explosive set at Reading Festival that was only watched by 100 or so people. Expect a larger audience this time around, with the release of the group’s debut album and sold out tours occurring since, but the manner of the band should be unchanged. Famed for his relentless energy, lead singer Eddie Green bounces around the stage as he screams at the mob beneath, encouraging them to join these young Londoners in their crusade against everything establishment. Once the riots have subsided, it’s back to the Festival Republic Stage for 3:20pm, with another young musician making his voice heard, but in a very different style.
Sam Fender
In an era of artificially created boybands and meticulously crafted pop stars, 21 year-old singer-songwriter Sam Fender is, similarly to Shame, a refreshingly soulful artist. Not only are his lyrics meaningful and somewhat political, his voice is unmistakable and smooth. Even if you don’t listen to the lyrics very closely, Sam still puts on an enjoyable show: growing up in Newcastle, exposed to a wide variety of musical influences from Joni Mitchell to David Bowie, this translates into his music. With a range of slow and upbeat songs, you’d find it hard to come away without having enjoyed something.
If Sam doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then staying at the main stage for Krept and Konan is also a great option. The London duo have been a familiar name for years to anyone clued into the UK underground rap scene, and this isn’t their first performance at Reading and Leeds either; they were one of the best sets of 2015 and drew huge crowds, despite clashing with Kendrick Lamar.
Whichever of the two you choose to watch, beyond their set we strongly suggest checking out Valeras at the BBC Music Introducing Stage at 4:10pm. A band still in their teens, this lot are one for the future, and another in a rapidly growing list of great acts originating in Reading that also includes Sundara Karma and The Amazons. If you’re after a more established act, then look no further than Aussies DMAs. On the Festival Republic Stage at 4:15pm, these Sydney boys have been compared to Oasis, so they’ll slot right into the Liam Gallagher-shaped hole in the hearts of the bucket hat wearing revellers of this year.
Next, there’s a string of acts all worth catching a bit of, though conversely, it might be better to pick one and stick with it. Genre-crossing J Hus will need no introduction to many of you: the rapper mixes dancehall and grime influences to create a unique sound that took his 2017 debut LP, ‘Common Sense’, to Number 3 in the Album Charts. He’s on the Main Stage at 4:40pm. Over at the Festival Republic Stage, Hippo Campus will be preparing for their 5 o’clock start. One of the few US bands on display this year, the Minnesota quartet’s journey began with interest-piquing performances at SXSW, and it’s not hard to see why — live, they’re uplifting and enjoyable, and their never-ending tour schedule has allowed them to hone this to the max.
The pair of BBC Radio 1 Stages are the highlight at 5:10pm — Riton and Kah-Lo have set the dance charts alight over the last couple of years with Ginger, Rinse & Repeat, and Fake ID, and the party will continue at the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage. Wilkinson is their closest competitor here — the Ram Records star is of a similar genre, albeit his more intense concoctions of electronic music should make for a very different atmosphere at the BBC Radio 1 Stage.
At 6pm, there’s another battle for your attention. Pick your favourite between The Vaccines (Main Stage), Nadia Rose (BBC Radio 1xtra Stage) and Jax Jones (BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage) now, because they’re on at 6, 6:05 and 6:10pm respectively. It’s a familiar story later in the day, as you’ll be forced to choose between Courteeners (Main Stage) at 7:20pm, or Don Broco (BBC Radio 1 Stage) and Lewis Capaldi (Festival Republic Stage) at half seven.
Bhad Babie then fills out the daily meme quota on the BBC Radio 1xtra Stage at 7:50pm, before at 8:25pm one of Mariella’s favourite acts take to the Festival Republic Stage.
Hinds
There are two words that come to mind when you’re watching this band: absolutely charming. After over 300 shows worldwide for their first album Leave Me Alone, smashing through sold out release shows across two continents in 48 hours, and being the only Spanish band to play at Glastonbury, this four-piece have a lot to brag about. Although, watching them live, this seems like the last thing they would do. In their own little world, this indie rock band are relentlessly happy, as you can tell from their constant smiles and upbeat tunes. Straying away from their light-weight style into more Strokes-like territory with some of the newer tracks, their songs still remain as summery as ever. Even if the music isn’t your thing, you can’t help but fall for their charm.
Hinds have a lot of competition, though. Alex’s pick would be Slaves at the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 8:40pm, but at the same time at the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, My Nu Leng offer an alternative that is just as high tempo, albeit in a different, bassier genre entirely.
Headliner Kings of Leon (9pm, Main Stage) might be a tempting proposition, but as always there are strong contenders for your time, including Diplo on the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 10pm, and of course the enigmatic Isaac Gracie who plays the Festival Republic Stage at 9:20pm. Isaac is a truly incredible talent whose self-titled debut album ran away with our Album Of The Week contest back in April. It truly wouldn’t surprise us to see him headlining festivals like this in a few years, so perhaps think twice before rushing straight to what will be a packed Main Stage.
Saturday
By the time things have got into full swing on Saturday, you’ll be relaxing into the festival mood, and one surefire way of staying there is catching Gengahr’s set at the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at 12:30pm. The setting seems an odd choice for a band who many categorise as indie, but their live performances have drawn comparisons to the bop-like vibes of Tame Impala, so it actually may suit them very well.
If you fancy a bit more of a wake-up call, then HIMALAYAS at the BBC Music Introducing Stage will be a welcome headache. The Welsh guitar band are in a similar vein to Wild Front, who are taking to the Festival Republic Stage at 1:40pm. Another Aussie group, The Faim, are playing The Pit/The Lock Up at 2:20pm, but if you have something closer to home in mind then Southampton’s Creeper are very highly rated, and playing the Main Stage at 2:25pm.
At just gone 3, there’s one of our toughest choices of the entire festival, as our old pals Fickle Friends play the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 3:15pm. Expect upbeat tracks juxtaposed with miserable lyrics as Natassja Shiner and co. get the party going. If instead, you want something heavier, then Yonaka are the ideal candidate, playing the Festival Republic Stage at 3:20pm. Like a lot of other bands on the bill, they recently made it into our Top Ten New Tracks of the week, with Wish You Were Somebody, and they’ve had an action-filled 2018 which should set them in good stead for the future. Another to keep an eye on.
Shortly after those sets have wrapped up, Mariella will be in the middle of an internal conflict as she chooses between her two top picks on the Saturday.
Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers still has that heartwarming charm of someone who still can’t quite believe they get to do what they do. When a video went viral of Pharrell Williams being left speechless by her song Alaska after visiting her college music class, the song skyrocketed in popularity. This then led to sold-out shows, multiple millions of streams, and a record deal. When Pharrell said “I’ve never heard anyone like you before, and I’ve never heard anyone that sounds like that,” he wasn’t wrong. Everything about her, from her bright clothes to her flurrying dance moves is eye-catching. If you’ve come to find a unique voice and catchy melodies, you’ve come to the right place. She’s on the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 4:05pm.
Ten Tonnes
As we discovered when we interviewed him at Live @ Leeds, Ethan Barnett, also known as Ten Tonnes, has always grown up in a musical household. Surrounded by guitars and influenced by his parents music, it was only a logical step for Barnett to start making music himself. Although there are vocal (and facial) similarities between himself and his musical older brother (a little known artist who goes by the name of George Ezra), his music is definitely distinct. Whilst Ezra is more influenced by artists like Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, Ten Tonnes takes more after the likes of The Beatles and The Strokes, which is something that comes across in his music. If supporting talented new singer-songwriters is your jam, this one won’t disappoint. Ethan plays the Festival Republic Stage at 4:10pm.
The Wombats on the Main Stage at 4:55pm should be well worth a visit, as the band have stripped back their sound on their latest LP Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, with the effect of making their live shows all the more true to their recordings.
However, there’s two acts in a row on the Festival Republic Stage who might grab your attention: the effervescent Dream Wife at 5 o’clock are followed by The Night Café at 5:50pm. Elderbrook, star of the Summer with his collaboration with Camelphat, Cola, hosts the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at 6:10pm. His latest release, Capricorn, should find audiences in a similar mood as the heat hammers down on Saturday afternoon. He’s got a fierce rival though, in another of Mariella’s hot picks, who play the BBC Music Introducing Stage at 6:25pm.
Fizzy Blood
Returning to their city of origin, Fizzy Blood are here to make you pay attention, and it is hard not to. The five-piece, named after a Reuben single of the same name, are grungier and fuzzier than most other rock bands on the scene right now. One of their recent singles Pink Magic has pounding drums and killer guitar riffs — and many of their other songs will make you want to dance just as much. Behind the rock are also thought-provoking lyrics, such as those featured on Pawn, a song about artist manipulation; icing on the musical cake for such a promising band. Expect to come away exhilarated.
Travis Scott continues to stun crowds with his live performances, and after disappointment over his cancellation in 2016 fans will finally be able to see him at Leeds at 7:35pm on the Main Stage.
One band tearing things up in 2018 has been Bad Sounds — the multi-genre group use a huge range of instruments, from the extraterrestrial sounds of the theremin to classic synth hooks. They’re sure to set the Festival Republic Stage alight at 8:20pm, but (of course) there’s a choice to be made, as dynamic electronic duo Bicep will be busy recreating their hits Live at the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at 8:30pm. Simultaneously, Nothing But Thieves, creators of Alex’s favourite album of 2017, Broken Machine, and incidentally the first band he reviewed for us, will take to the BBC Radio 1 Stage. Have fun picking between those three!
Again, there’s strong competition for the headliner — Wolf Alice, possibly the hottest property in English rock music at the moment, will bring their massive riffs and the mosh pits to the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 10pm, but legends Fall Out Boy will also be tough to turn down at the Main Stage at 9:15pm.
Sunday
By Sunday morning, if you’ve camped on all three nights so far, you’ll no doubt be looking for a hangover cure. Maybe have a lie in, before taking Mariella’s advice and heading to this next act, on the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 3:15pm.
Brockhampton
As a hip-hop boyband, this group have been quickly transitioning from cult favourite to mainstream success story. It’s hard to imagine, with 14 members all living together under one roof, that their lives are anything other than chaos, but they must be doing something right. After releasing three full length albums in the last year alone, Brockhampton show now signs of slowing down, especially not when on-stage. The group have an eclectic mix of songs, from the abrasive and aggressive track Heat to ballads like Summer, keeping you on your toes. Brockhampton are a creative force to be reckoned with, and regardless of whether or not you love hip-hop, I can guarantee you’ll never have seen or heard hip-hop like this before.
Sigrid, BBC Sound of 2018 winner, should be a welcome addition to the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 4:10pm, as one of the humblest and fastest growing stars in the world at the moment brings her boundless Norwegian charisma to the show.
Another huge star of 2018 has been Dua Lipa, who built on her early successes with her collaboration with Calvin Harris, One Kiss, holding the UK Number 1 spot for 8 weeks. In order to catch those hits live, you can watch the London-born star with Kosovar heritage at 4:45pm on the Main Stage.
Then comes another of Mariella’s dilemmas.
Rex Orange County
Barely out of his teens, Alex O’Connor — better known as Rex Orange County — finished second in BBC Sound of 2018 at the beginning of this year, and what a year it has been. Listening to his songs, you can’t help but feel happy and relaxed which is exactly the kind of music you would expect from a man like Alex as he walks out on stage. If you fancy a break from the dance tent and are in search of a more chilled out vibe, Rex’s blend of indie pop and alternative hip-hop should hit the jackpot. He’s on the BBC Radio 1 Stage at 5:25pm.
Otherkin
When you have glowing endorsement of your “insane riffs” from Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, that is a pretty good selling point. This Dublin-based grungy rock band began their festival journeys at Reading & Leeds, and now they have done too many to count, they’re back once more and are sure to bring more energy than ever. Like an Irish Royal Blood, Otherkin are high-octane and punchy in their live performances, fully engrossed in what they’re doing. Don’t ignore Ulrich, go and see Otherkin at 5:50pm at the Festival Republic Stage — you won’t regret it.
At 7:05pm, Black Peaks will destroy your eardrums at The Pit / The Lock Up. This act are from Brighton, and are nominated for the Heavy Music Awards which we are also covering this week!
23 year-old rapper Yungen has already had major streaming success, so we’ll be there to judge his live pedigree at the BBC Radio 1xtra Stage at 7:45pm. If Panic! At The Disco are more your scene, then you’ll find Brandon Urie at the Main Stage at 7:35pm.
The line-up around half-eight caused consternation throughout our Music Team, as high-tempo Spring King, who feature drummer Tarek Musa as lead singer, play the Festival Republic Stage at 8:25pm, but the even more emphatic Aussie DnB legends Pendulum are on surprisingly early at 8:30pm at the BBC Radio 1 Stage.
When it comes to the headliner, Kendrick Lamar is impossible to ignore at 9:30pm at the Main Stage. K-Dot has sold-out tours for several years, had continually increasing commercial release success (though his lyrical prowess has been consistently stellar), and will go down as a legend not only in his genre, but in music as a whole. The Magic Gang would have been one of our hottest picks for the whole weekend, but their set being at 9:20pm at the Festival Republic Stage means we’ll sadly miss them. If rap really isn’t your thing, then they are 100% the next best option, and we are sure after speaking to them earlier this year that they’ll go on to do great things.
Although initial announcements caused consternation among some fans, this year’s Reading and Leeds line-up still promises to be one of the best of the year across Europe. Make sure you follow us on Twitter at the link here to catch all of our updates over the course of the weekend!
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