Organisers of the iconic Reading and Leeds Festival have pulled off a historic coup, revealing the first six headliners for the 2026 event in a major shake-up that celebrates homegrown talent.
A Landmark Moment for the Festivals
In a groundbreaking announcement, festival bosses confirmed that the headline bill for the 2026 edition will be composed entirely of British and Irish artists for the first time in a quarter of a century. This bold move marks a significant departure and highlights the strength of the domestic music scene.
The first wave of headliners set to top the bill across the twin sites includes Charli XCX, Dave, Raye, Fontaines D.C., Florence + the Machine, and Chase and Status. This eclectic mix spans genres from rap and punk to drum and bass and indie-pop, promising a diverse weekend for attendees.
Dates, Details and a Thursday Opening
The legendary dual-site event will once again take over Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 27th to 30th August 2026.
In another first for the festivals, Leeds will open its Main Stage on the Thursday night. Kasabian have been confirmed as the inaugural headliners for this special early opening at Bramham Park.
Beyond the headliners, a strong undercard has also been revealed, featuring names like Skepta, Role Model, Jade, and Kneecap. Notably, Chris Stussy was confirmed but will perform exclusively at the Reading site.
Reaction and Looking Back at 2025
The news was initially broken on social media by some of the artists themselves. Drum and bass giants Chase & Status shared a video montage on Instagram captioned "Headline. R&L. 2026," while Dublin's Fontaines D.C. posted a similar announcement.
This announcement follows the 2025 festival, which saw headline performances from artists including Chappell Roan, Travis Scott, and Bring Me The Horizon. A memorable moment from Leeds 2025 came when Limp Bizkit displayed a humorous image of Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, sending the crowd into a frenzy amidst ongoing Oasis mania.
However, the 2025 event wasn't without controversy, as headliner Travis Scott faced significant criticism online for reportedly ending his Leeds set 35 minutes early, leaving some fans disappointed.
With this historic and ambitious first line-up announcement for 2026, Reading and Leeds Festival has set a high bar, promising a culturally significant celebration of British and Irish music. Many more acts are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks and months.
