News

Guns 'n' Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink 182 To Headline Leeds

• 30th Mar 2010

The world famous Reading and Leeds Festival enters a new decade with the biggest names in music set to play both sites. Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds once again will host some of the most incredible and acclaimed artists from across the globe at Europe’s biggest and best dual site, three day event. The countdown to the August Bank Holiday Weekend starts here.

From across the Atlantic we welcome our three headliners on the main stage all playing exclusive UK festival appearances. Arguably the biggest rock band of its generation GUNS N’ ROSES kick off proceedings in Reading and close the show in Leeds, the adored and acclaimed ARCADE FIRE make their eagerly awaited headline debut at the festival and the feverishly anticipated return of BLINK 182 will excite all rock fans. The full line up is enhanced with some of the biggest and best names in rock and alternative music.

Other incredible names appearing on the main stage over the weekend include specials guests THE LIBERTINES who reunite for their only two shows anywhere in the world. Also featured are the hottest new rock stars on the planet PARAMORE and kings of cool QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE.

On the NME/Radio One stage the three headliners have one thing in common, they are guaranteed to have the packed audience dancing feverishly from start to finish. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, PENDULUM and KLAXONS are all legendary live acts and will ensure the crowd will be heaving each night.

Many more names are still to be announced as well as the full line up for the Lock-Up Stage, Dance Stage, Festival Republic Stage, BBC Introducing Stage and the Alternative Stage. The Ultimate Rock and Roll Weekend that is the Reading and Leeds Festival returns bigger, better and jam packed with the finest music talent ever condensed into two arenas.

When Axl Rose strides on stage to headline the Reading and Leeds Festivals this August he is introducing one of the most outstanding, successful and controversial rock bands we have seen in the last 25 years. An acclaimed and thrilling live act, GUNS N’ ROSES’ countless hits have become soundtracks for music fans all over the world. The band played a spectacular show at Leeds Festival in 2002 and this is incredibly their first ever appearance at Reading. Their latest album ‘Chinese Democracy’ was number one in 13 countries and has received countless awards all over the world. This is their only UK appearance this year.

There is a palpable air of excitement around the return of ARCADE FIRE and they make their only UK Festival Appearance here this year. Since the release of their debut album ‘Funeral’ and its follow up ‘Neon Bible’ the band have wowed fans and critics alike with both releases featuring in ‘Best Of Decade’ polls across the world at the end of last year. Their last appearance here in 2007 was noted as one of the highlights of the weekend with huge crowds at both sites enthralled by what one reviewer described as “a tribal summoning of energy”. We welcome them with open arms for what is sure to be an extraordinary headline performance.

Since they announced their reformation and US dates last year, UK fans have waited with bated breath to find out when Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker will return to these shores to play again. The wait is over with the announcement that BLINK 182 will play their exclusive UK Festival Appearance and only English shows in 2010 by headlining Reading and Leeds Festival. The trio have sold millions of records worldwide since their formation in 1992 and have been sorely missed in their hiatus. Their inimitable punk rock sounds will be sure to fire up the crowds with classics such as ‘What’s My Age Again’, ‘I Miss You’ and ‘All The Small Things’.

Joining our three headliners is a bill of quite staggering talent and a line-up sure to thrill every music fan.

Josh Homme has led QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE since 1997 and over the intervening years and line-ups has become a huge influence on bands both sides of the Atlantic. The ‘Rated R’ and ‘Songs For The Deaf’ albums were critical and commercial success stories, with the latter featuring sometime member Dave Grohl taking over drum duties. ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’ and ‘Era Vulgaris’ continued to showcase their unique rock sound. Showing no signs of slowing down, Homme’s recent ‘Desert Sessions’ outing have proven to show he’s lost none of his appetite for new musical projects as has his other ‘side project’ Them Crooked Vultures who debuted live in the UK at last year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Ayrshire Trio BIFFY CLYRO’s latest album ‘Only Revolutions’ debuted in the top 10 on its release last year and cemented their reputation as one of the UK’s rock heavyweights. This weekend it is inevitable that the crowds will go crazy for their fiery concoction of aggressive melodies, compelling hooks and blistering guitars. New single ‘Bubbles’ (released in April) features the previously mentioned Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age who follows them on stage, so they are sure to feel at home instantly at the best rock festival in the world.

Our very Special Guests LOSTPROPHETS gave Reading and Leeds the first preview of their fourth album ‘The Betrayed’ last year when they made a special appearance headlining the NME/Radio 1 tent. The shows at both sites were legendary with crowds packed in for exhilarating performances. The record went top three on release and now everybody will have heard the hits ‘It’s Not the End of The World’, ‘Where We Belong’ and ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Felon’ to sing along to alongside their enviable back catalogue of festival favourites. Their recent UK tour garnered hugely excitable reviews and their return to the main stage will be sure to see a massive turn out for an excellent British rock band.

San Francisco punks NOFX are one of the most successful independent bands of all time. New album ‘Coaster’ was released last year to celebrate their 25th anniversary and the four piece have done as they always have – got out and toured the world to take their uncompromising music to the masses. Get ready for action.

Rebel rockers GOGOL BORDELLO bring their rich musical tapestry to the festival on the back of their fifth studio album, the Rick Rubin produced ‘Trans-Continental Hustle’. Formed at the end of the 90’s the band are renowned for their theatrical, celebratory and totally unconventional live shows led by Eugene Hutz and his multi instrumentalist cohorts.

Toronto quartet BILLY TALENT take their place on the main stage where they will air tracks from latest album ‘Billy Talent III’ (the follow up to ‘Billy Talent’ and ‘Billy Talent II’ obviously). Having received countless awards in their native Canada we are thrilled they will bring their original and entertaining sound to the festival.

THE LIBERTINES came to prominence at the onset of the noughties and it’s fitting that this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival will see in the new decade with a performance from one the most important British bands of the past twenty years. The Libertines are to reform after years of speculation to play Reading and Leeds Festival as the original four-piece with duel vocalists and guitarists Carl Barat and Peter Doherty, drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassall. The band gave the world a kick in the proverbials, they played their own game, their own way, by their own rules and consequently paved the way for plenty of imitators but never equals. They split in 2004 and Carl Barat went off and formed Dirty Pretty Things with Peter Doherty doing likewise with his Babyshambles ensemble. These, their Only Shows Worldwide are unmissable for any music fan.

“I’m enjoying being a pop star at the moment”, DIZZEE RASCAL recently said, and the crowd at Reading and Leeds are absolutely guaranteed a killer live set from this absolutely amazing artist. His joyful and uplifting songs will ensure the ‘bounce factor’ will go into overdrive – expect an outbreak of free-form hands-in-the-air hysteria when he takes to the stage. His latest album ‘Tongue ‘n’ Cheek’ has propelled the East Londoner to the top of the charts and into everybody’s hearts. One set you can safely say will be ‘Bonkers!’

Last year saw the release of THE CRIBS’ fourth album 'Ignore The Ignorant’, their first with 'new' guitarist Johnny Marr which hit the Top 40, hand in hand with some of their biggest shows to date. The year proved a fruitful one for the fellas from Wakefield. Early doors 2010 saw The Cribs touring the Southern Hemisphere with dates in Japan, Australia and New Zealand via a brief tour of the US. Spring will see a limited split single with The Thermals to coincide with Record Store Day and a showing at this year’s Coachella festival.

The NME declared THE MACCABEES “the best home-grown indie rock band the UK has to offer right now” and with the success of their second album ‘No Kind Words’ the band are an exciting addition to the Reading and Leeds line up. The five piece formed in Brighton only five years ago but through killer singles and a relentless touring schedule they have honed their live set to perfection which we will all no doubt see this weekend.

Hailing from Washington state, MODEST MOUSE have – from their early incarnation in the early 90’s to their inking a deal with Epic in 2001 – had an undeniable influence on a whole spectrum of acts from both sides of the Atlantic and more recently clocked up commercial success with the albums ‘Good News For People Who Loved Bad News’ and ‘We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank’.

THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM bring their soulful punk rock melodies to Reading and Leeds Festival in what is sure to be one of the highlights of the weekend. After forming in New Jersey in 2005, the band have gone from strength to strength and show no signs of stopping. New album ‘American Slang’ is set for release in the summer and this will be the ideal setting to hear their anthemic classics.

All the way from Franklin, Tennessee PARAMORE has captured the hearts of rock fans the length and breadth of the UK and this is their only UK Festival Appearance. Their last album ‘Brand New Eyes’ entered the UK charts at number one and they recently picked up the Best International Act at the NME Awards in February of this year. Fronted by firecracker singer Hayley Williams the bands have conquered the world since their formation in 2004 and have gone on to sell millions of albums and pick up countless awards.

River Cuomo’s WEEZER have influenced a phenomenal number of artists since their inception back in ’92 . Although no strangers to the UK, the band’s shows are few and far between and their return to these shores once more will do much to satisfy their rabid fanbase and no doubt bear witness to audiences enthralled to the genius of Rivers Cuomo. This is their only UK Festival Appearance this year so don’t dare miss it.

The Los Angeles based trio of rappers B-Real and Sen Dog and producer DJ Muggs return to Reading and Leeds Festival in support of new album ‘Rise Up’. CYPRESS HILL have always pushed the boundaries since the beginning of their illustrious career and have established themselves as one of rap’s most potent groups. With 20 years in the game and over 18 million albums sold worldwide, get ready for another unforgettable performance.

When LIMP BIZKIT reformed last year after a lengthy break rock fans were cheered to see the band back at their best. The band have sold over 35 million albums worldwide since their formation with their genre-mashing blend of rock and rap music. With anticipation running high for a new album promised for the summer this will be the perfect place to see Fred Durst and co.

YOU ME AT SIX’s meteoric rise from the underground to the mainstream continues unabated with this their debut appearance on the main stage at Reading and Leeds. Their first album ‘Take Off Your Colours’ saw the Surrey quintet gain plaudits and tour the world. The follow up top 5 UK chart hit ‘Hold Me Down’ has built on this momentum as have recent dates with Paramore – listen out for their exuberant energy and anthemic sound.

American pop punk quartet ALL TIME LOW make their debut main stage appearance at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival. After forming in 2003, the band have steadily built a fiercely loyal fan base and hit number 4 in the US charts with last year’s ‘Nothing Personal’ album. These shows are sure to see them replicate their Stateside success in the UK.

The brainchild of James Murphy, co founder of the hugely influential DFA Records, LCD SOUNDSYSTEM are a hugely welcome addition to the bill at Reading and Leeds Festival with a headline slot on the NME/Radio 1 Stage. With hit records such as ‘Losing My Edge’, ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’ and ‘North American Scum’, plus a new studio album pencilled in for May 2010, LCD Soundsystem will be bringing their mix of disco punk to the masses, a set not to be missed.

PHOENIX have been quietly accumulating fans for years but 2009’s ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ album saw the band showered in superlatives for their insanely infectious hooks and melodies that lodge in your brain and refuse to leave. The Versailles quartet’s modern sophisticated pop music gained them a Grammy nomination for the record and they have recently been given the title of the ‘most blogged band in the world’. Don’t miss this incredible band at what will be an amazing show.

Word of mouth recommendations and a live experience to behold, MUMFORD & SONS have continued in 2010 where they left off last year, successfully rallying the critics and punters alike with their own particular brand of noughties folk. With their album ‘Sigh No More’ having now sold in excess of 200,000 copies, plaudits aplenty as well as a sold out UK tour, these folk-rockers look set to make their mark on 2010 and indeed it’s theirs for the taking.

Manchester trio DELPHIC come to Reading and Leeds Festival ready to push the sonic envelope. With debut album ‘Acolyte’ they effortlessly merge between the indie and dance worlds and consistently demonstrate that their ability to write massive songs is equal to their ability to build dance floor anthems. These shows are sure to be a highlight of the Summer.

The music of Brooklyn based experimental band YEASAYER is an electric, genre bending journey into pop, rock, folk, dub, African and Middle Eastern influences. The Guardian praised the group’s latest album ‘Odd Blood’ describing it as a “master class in modern, multicultural, weirdo pop music”. Finally receiving the recognition they deserve, Yeasayer are a band on the up.

Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell are THE BIG PINK. The duo’s debut album ‘A Brief History Of Love’ was released last year to mass critical acclaim, and featured the smash single ‘Dominos’ which recently collected an NME Award for ‘Best Track’ of the year. As they enter a new decade, The Big Pink have cemented their position as one of the finest and most important new bands to emerge in years.

A three piece from Northern Ireland, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB bring their energetic brand of electro/pop/rock to the NME/Radio 1 stage for the first time. Their debut album ‘Tourist History’ was described by Uncut Magazine as “Bulletproof indie-disco gems…their energy is addictive” and their short sharp tunes are sure to win over any newcomers.

PENDULUM made one of the biggest breakthroughs of recent years with their album ‘In Silico’. Having sold over 1 million records worldwide, the band are back with new album ‘Immersion’, due for release in May 2010. The excitement building around the band’s return is escalating and they are sure to be at the top of their game by the time the August Bank Holiday arrives. Recognised as one of the most thrilling live acts around today this is sure to be a wild experience you cannot miss.

Two albums in and life shows no signs of slowing down for this young quartet from St Albans whose aural output mirrors their take on life. ENTER SHIKARI’S appearance last year triggered scenes of manic moshing in the midst of an afternoon slot on the main stage and confirmed their status as one the most invigorating bands around. The band spent the tail end of 2009 supporting The Prodigy on their European shows and latterly have just completed the Warped tour in the US.

CRYSTAL CASTLES consist of Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. Their musical style fuses electronica and pop hooks and earned their eponymous cult debut album a place in the ‘top 50 greatest albums of the decade’ by NME. With the band’s reputation for amazing chaotic live shows and a new album in the summer these sets are stand outs for the weekend.

Coming up on the inside, FRANK TURNER is a tale of trading in band projects for life as a singer songwriter. Having released three solo albums, the latest ‘Poetry Of The Deed’ propelled him into the Top 40 and saw him sell out shows all over the country. A classic case of taking underground cult status into a mainstream success story – don’t miss this incredibly talented artist.

After their legendary performance in 2007, where thousands of fans watched from outside the packed tents, Mercury Music Prize winners KLAXONS make a welcome return to Reading and Leeds Festival. The defining act of the new rave movement, the London based band feature the combined talents of Jamie Reynolds, James Righton and Simon Taylor. They have just returned from LA where they have been recording the eagerly awaited follow up release with Ross Robinson which is expected this year. Renowned for their incredible live performances, these shows are all set to mark another momentous moment in the Klaxons’ story.

Although most people assume that WE ARE SCIENTISTS are from the UK, Chris Cain and Keith Murray were born in the US and both currently live in New York City. The fact that they make a welcome return to the Reading and Leeds Festival isn't going to do much to dispel this misconception, though, nor is the presence of British drummer Andy Burrows on their third album, 'Barbara.' The boys are considering getting tattoos of bald eagles eating cheeseburgers to help clarify their nationality to strangers.

FOALS’ debut album ‘Antidotes’ was one of the highlights of 2008. Returning with new album ‘Total Life Forever’ in May 2010 the Oxford quintet take the next step in the band’s evolution. With singles including ‘Olympic Airwaves’, ‘Cassius’ and ‘Balloons’ in their armoury, they come to the dual sites all set to win over yet more fans with their unique shimmering pop.

The Low Country’s premier rock n’ roll outfit BAND OF HORSES bring the sound of Americana to Reading and Leeds this year. Their anticipated third album ‘Infinite Arms’ is due soon and was influenced by the band’s travels round their homeland and their alt. country is bound to find more fans as they return to the UK.

With Bloc Party currently on hiatus, vocalist KELE OKEREKE is at present undertaking duties on his own musical compositions and an eagerly awaited album is scheduled for later this year. His reputation as a dynamic frontman precedes him so these shows will be must-see for old and new fans alike.

Heavily tipped last year, latterly armed with a handful of acclaimed singles under their collective arm, recipients of this year’s ‘Phillip Hall Radar Award’ courtesy of the NME, 2010 is already looking promising for THE DRUMS. With a Florence and the Machine support slot in May and a hotly anticipated debut album due in June, this summer’s looking hot for The Drums as they make their festival debut this year.