Let's talk about the READING & LEEDS lineup...

[@dxnielastbury8767]

The main issue I have with the lineup is the possible potential they could’ve had, muse blur, blink, green day, paramore qotsa, travis Scott mcr are all available and wanted by fans and somehow they ignored literally everyone

[@JakeyG-eq1un]

and pulp

[@jakeralston5114]

maybe not travis 💀💀💀

[@TheGamingJewYT]

Ooh Travis Scott would have been good, I would have loved to get crushed to death in a stampede or retarded idiots who think his music qualifies as music 🤣🤣🤣

[@jakeross7995]

Travis is definitely out of the question after what happened

[@patt3n377]

@@jakeross7995 na he had a show in the o2 in august and it was phenomenal

[@lee9390]

Foals are mint live. Great songs, great atmosphere, they've been going a while now so they've got a bigger fan base who get really into it

[@MrStuielooie]

1000000000%

[@Ben_89]

Sam Fenders doing 2 sold out dates at St James’ park Newcastles stadium. He done Finsbury Park this year. As a metal head I have to say he’s brilliant.

[@mauricey4477]

Highly disagree with foals they’ve just headlined the other stage at Glastonbury and absolutely smashed it with a pure packed crowd and just finished their UK arena tour they’re more relevant than ever at the moment,One of the best live acts I’ve ever seen plus their new album is great

[@datdude3327]

their glastonbury set was by far the best thing on all weekend. actually mind blowing

[@willairey3176]

Agreed, highlight of Glasto for me and a top tier live band

[@JJM003]

they are a fantastic band, but come on. that wasn’t an arena tour and they haven’t ever done an arena tour. they aren’t big enough to be headliners, definitely play like one though.

[@alexhall3135]

Glastonbury was the best set of the weekend for me, just a bit better than Jamie T

[@archieholden9345]

@@JJM003they did an arena tour this year? I saw them in Birmingham

[@WillOwen9]

The worst time I've seen Foals was still the best gig I've ever seen at R/L, that's how great they are live. Take the time to learn a few of their core songs and they're the best live band in the business

[@sophietruesdale914]

Preach it! Unbelievable band

[@MrStuielooie]

100000000%

[@josephreeves8915]

Foals are brilliant live. Saw them at Reading 2016 and they were the best band of the weekend 100%. They'll be the firework band

[@lukeriley648]

Bicep put on an incredible live show. One of the best electronic artists about these days. Must see

[@jordywilliams]

broke into green man this year just to see them .

[@calumvaughan8690]

Bicep has some bangin tunes and was pretty innovative a few years back but "incredible live show" and "one of the best electronic artists" are huge overstatemetns.

[@lukeriley648]

@@calumvaughan8690 that’s your opinion bro

[@cantthinkofausername8698]

Something Rob doesn't have any of.

[@canvey100]

Foals are unreal live, 100% think you would enjoy it. And foals always end with 2 steps twice. A massive anthem

[@kevinkibble8342]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion but you're being harsh on Foals here. For me they're the only act worth seeing on the line-up. Their stock may have fallen a little bit since the early-mid '10s but they're still very much a worthy Main Stage West headliner, their last album was as good as anything they've done, and they still have a very large and devoted fanbase. They'll draw a lively crowd.

[@MrNicoBico]

I was so sure Blink were gonna headline, it lined up with their touring dates so well. Damn.

[@sophietruesdale914]

I was shocked

[@danielfriday5403]

I saw blink when they headlined in 2014, was awful!

[@JC_303]

Shy FX and Andy C are DnB/Jungle heavyweights, huge acts in the 90s and 2000s.

[@Mike-gy9sd]

90s and 2000s? They're still huge today! Andy C still sells out every time!

[@chrisburns5532]

dnb/jungle - do you mean EDM?

[@alrightdave6135]

@@chrisburns5532 no

[@kevinkibble8342]

EVERYDAY WHEN ME GET UP IS A GUNSHOT

[@JC_303]

@@Mike-gy9sd mate, jungle is massive. But its not what it was back then.

[@masterjamie1999]

I think if you had to book a "legacy" rock act for Reading that would most appeal to today's audience there's no one better than The Killers.

[@danstephenson5242]

Tbf Sam Fender is a nailed on headliner. class tunes and a class band with him plus he’s massive atm

[@kylebarton6278]

would love a video going through various upcoming festival line ups, Slam Dunk, Latitude etc

[@JosephSCB123]

Foals are an incredible and the best live band I have ever seen. Probably the best act on the line up so far

[@Natashacaron]

Nothing but thieves are the only band I’d actually want to see, massively underrated!

[@jackmaguire8074]

Absolute facts

[@benswhisky]

So glad that McFly got a mention! Whilst I'm a huge fan of the same music as you guys, McFly will always be up there as one of my favourites. Severely underrated and so fun live.

[@chloethornton4687]

THE KILLERS are the only saving grace and the only reason for me attending my local festival, they are always 10/10 I’m pretty buzzing. The rest of the fest is for the young GSCE kids, If you listening to other killers songs that aren’t mr brightside you will see they are unbelievable.

[@christianrowbotham9053]

Runaways my favourite song

[@MW-dd8vk]

Nothing But Thieves are great too

[@jessh8716]

Muna are great - pretty popular and links with Phoebe Bridgers (signed to her label) I think they’ve had a really good year this year. I think it’ll be a good booking and hopefully a sign that it’ll bring in some more diverse bands and audiences? Just my thoughts.

[@egg4034]

Foals headlined Glastonbury other stage this year and banged, saw them in 2019 ally pally sold out crowd, also unreal. They go heavy live.

[@JamesSmith-de2pr]

Caution, Runaways, Run for cover, My own souls warning, The Man - are all newer Killers songs I recommend, they play them live often too! Also from going to their Sheffield show and the stadium tour too, they work a lot better on a big stage with production

[@samueltonge532]

Foals are the best band ive seen live, listen to some of their songs and get yourself to a gig. You wont regret it

[@willairey3176]

Foals are an exceptional live band, well deserving of the position

[@liambuckland7659]

I seen foals live in Birmingham they’re fantastic you will be in for a treat. My favourite band alongside biffy Clyro…I love them

[@daniel-pitts3035]

Me and my mate after getting our tickets on early bird a few months ago after the usual great line ups we’ve gone to the past few years at reading. Now feeling kinda silly 😂

[@cleverpork]

I said the same thing as Kellas RE yobbos from last year. I think they have shit the bed a bit because Woodstock 99’ doc was popular during Reading and Leeds last year and it kicked off a bit (mostly on twitter) but if you’ve been to R&L (mostly Leeds) before it’s called a Sunday. I think they’re playing it safe to avoid controversy & bad press. One word description of the line up. Beige.

[@matthewnewton6111]

I fucking love Imagine Dragons inivative by sound, I was buzzed to see them on the lineup

[@danielsimpson607]

Im a huge Sam Fender fan but I think its a bit silly to have two newer artists headlining and Billie is definitely the one that makes more sense. Sam Fender shouldve been in Imagine dragons spot and someone with a longer track record in the main headline spot

[@JC_303]

Bicep have taken experimental, breaks and techno to another level over the last few years but you guys are "EDM" philistines so probably won't appreciate them being there ;)

[@sophietruesdale914]

Their show is life changing

[@emma_m0]

They’re incredible live. These nuggets don’t appreciate any form of dance music.

[@robillustrates6949]

Reading and Leeds was so great between 2000-2013 or so, I really like the current two stage setup like European festivals. I like the way they mix it up but the festival is so light on what I would call "headline or legendary" acts.

[@chloethornton4687]

The Killers are AAAAA* Rob kellas “Mr brightside will be alright” You need to get listening to every other song your missing out

[@xiphura]

Victorious did a similar like 'legend' slot thing, they had a big name on at 1pm so people would actually show up earlier on in the day, and you don't compete with the rest

[@maiseyxoxo4076]

I always try to see if I can see you guys at Leeds but can never find you 😂 always wanted to thank you guys I don’t know if you will remember but back when fall out boy played I lost all my friends and you all let me stand with you and you all talked to me so I didn’t look like I was alone. You was all so nice and now I see the things that go on there you guys are amazing

[@AlexB92254]

Sam Fender is an excellent booking and he's great live, hope you guys can get in to his music

[@jdog7230]

Foals and Bicep are great live - best shows i've been to.

[@babycheese8106]

The first time I went to Leeds was 2005, then went again in 2012, I'm officially old, as I don't even recognise half the names on this line up! Daayum how has this happened! 😳

[@mattwhitehouse9662]

If sam fender can sell out finsbury park he is definitely a headliner

[@MattPark182]

FRIDAY: Main: Sam Fender/Foals - Loyle Carner NME: Bicep SATURDAY: Main: The Killers - Lewis Capaldi - NBT NME: Central Cee SUNDAY: Main: Billie Eilish - Imagine Dragons - Don Broco NME: Becky Hill I think it just looks so much better in the old format? Two main stages has been a horrid switch for me.

[@sunpi]

I feel like the line up is just like a maninstream y not festival - I’m sick of them washing out alt festivals. I’ll not be going to another reading or Leeds at this rate. It’s not worth me seeing 3 good bands - when I can just go and see them live

[@Fujibread]

Foals were the highlight of Truck in 2019, plus their Glasto secret set was sick. Arena tour was early this year

[@SamNuttall]

im that guy who was kinda excited for imagine dragons, + foals are just incredible live

[@RamoneRhythm]

the fact that it's known to be an 'indie' festival (ofc they have to have mainstream pop-y things to be relevant-that's 100% expected) its just so surprising how they have managed to completely ignore all of the rock and indie bands that have come back like Blur, Paramore, Suede, Pulp, Blink-182, Green Day etc. although I do genuinely enjoy some of the acts on the lineup its all just so bland and generic, compared to last year it's just disappointing.

[@itsalfieblake]

I was actually quite excited when imagine dragons got announced

[@seansines]

The alphabetical line up thing is a way of saving the bookers MASSIVE arguments with artists and management… There can be email chains about font sizes otherwise

[@samclark6077]

Sam fender definitely should be headlining reading !!

[@jamiescurrmusic9883]

Dave had fire works on the east stage during the song Location last year (2022)

[@alexbrown8886]

You me at six 🥳. Thats what sold me

[@S.Turnock]

Foals are perfect for that ‘big rock ending’ you touched on.. seriously good live band, an pretty sure they headlined a glasto stage?

[@MattPark182]

also Foals are the best live band i've seen in years. and ngl they're nowhere near soft haha

[@struebz]

It’s about time Idles smash the main stage at Reading & Leeds. They’ve shown they can play Glasto and grab attention. They’d me nice a couple down from headliners

[@sp6500]

Better than last years imo, buzzin with foals headlining

[@joegardinerJG]

Songer is a great rapper too - definitely agree it's a tame lineup tho

[@TheMcLaughlincrew]

I was nodding along to most things you were saying and then you said busted and mcfly are as good as greenday and blink 182 😂 hot take Had to pause to furiously type this comment out 😂

[@04mdsimps]

They’re saying the line ups out of touch with the late teen demographic yet don’t think fenders headline material. Alrighty then. Reminds me of the principal skinner meme

[@bethsmith.]

Billie Eilish and Sam Fender make complete sense and both great live, rest of the headliners are just not it especially when they’re all chucked together.

[@danielwinder6343]

I think download looks strong but I've only done a one dayer there before, and haven't been able to see any of the headliners before.

[@TDKnight265]

Ngl, agree with all of this apart from their not being a great line-up announcement from a UK festival yet this year, for me Download's line-up is absolutely amazing. As always though, just my opinion. Keep up the class videos lads, see yous in the slipknot mosh 🤟

[@chrisberry7293]

Sam Fender isn't really comparable to Lewis Capaldi. He is more of an indie artist who tours with his childhood friends as his band. He is closer to someone like Catfish id say. However this lineup is dead, everyone is so safe and boring. There's normally at least one act you're like yeah that's a cool one like rage was. Missing that blockbuster headliner. I would have loved to see someone like The Smashing Pumpkins but guess its not the same type of festival it was. Also Iggy Pop would have been sick, but same problem.

[@CaseyEvans.]

Broco should definitely be headlining the second stage

[@umadbro6658]

bicep is a deffo must see, they are so good

[@StrudelShaft]

Their live show is unreal, remember Rob loving Chemical Brothers when he saw them... he's in for a treat with these cats.

[@fredericksaunders9283]

Bicep is the best live act I've ever seen

[@JC_303]

@@StrudelShaft he wrote them off after that and Fred again. I think they would say Bicep are boring. One of the best live acts of recent years imo.

[@Peter-es7sf]

Yeah saw them 3 times this year the last time being Ally Pally last week, they're the best electronic music act going atm

[@StrudelShaft]

@@Peter-es7sf 100% mate, highlight of glasto this year for me

[@jaqsrocker812]

Foals, Bicep, The Killers, Chase Atlantic, Don Broco are the only standouts for me.

[@charliemarkert6480]

Foals soft?, have you been and seen them from start to finish? 70% of there set list is hard and is absolute chaos, would highly recommend seeing them. they've toured the UK this year smaller venues yes but headlined glasto which was unreal and packed out. They've been touring America last few months to small capacity crowds, same in the uk next may 500 capacity. They're solid and will prove a lot of people wrong.

[@benthwaites381]

At first I thought it was a parody video, unfortunately it is not an absolutely terrible line up

[@royfromthesimpsons]

Varley doing Sam Fender dirty... He's bloody good live...

[@whlphil]

Kinda surprised that Paramore aren’t on the lineup

[@jacobmacdonagh4070]

I’d argue it’s more white girl than white guy tbh with Lewis capaldi, imagine dragons, Sam fender and Billie

[@joshuaking2171]

The killers are good live but bicep subbing foals I really think they be headling msw as it will help with their light show.

[@gavinlynch743]

Imagine dragons live at Milton Keynes was brilliant

[@deadsubs6041]

I really enjoy Foals, but seeing them live in a 2.5k cap venue, about 75% of the crowd looked so disinterested for the first half of the show. Wasn't until they started playing their more lively songs when people got involved. Definitely great but I don't think they have the public attention to headline right now

[@thegrinderman1090]

Calling Foals soft is ridiculous, although I understand if you haven't heard much of their music they could come across like that. They're much better live than on record. There's a huge bouncy low-end in their sound that can be missed until you hear it though some beastly speakers. Saw them in 2008 and 2011 and they remain two of the craziest gigs I've ever been to. Entire crowd was moshing from start to finish. Was a constant battle to stay on your feet. My mate lost one of his converse, got it back about 15 mins later. The gig ends, we go out and rush to the station to catch the last train back. On the train we notice he's now wearing 1 red and 1 blue converse. Someone else lost the exact same type of shoe, for the same foot, in almost the same size, but a different colour. LOL! Also, Bicep are incredible and should headline. Steve Lacy, Yung Lean, Slowthai are all excellent too. Andy C and Shy FX solid. The Killers are pretty good and are exactly what I'd expect as an R+L headliner. Billie Eilish is one of the mainstream pop artists whose production is actually interesting, and she has an amazing voice. Yeah Imagine Dragons suck, but tbh I'd put The 1975 only 1 tier above them. Arena-style rock music just isn't in a great place right now, but there's plenty of other genres.

[@sacrefrenchie2132]

this festival has been veering towards dad music as the headliners for years. It's owning it now. That said, there's definitely a few saving graces on here that will be good fun, echoing just about everyone else's mentions in the comments.

[@duckssss5873]

Rob would love bicep tbf mind blowin live set

[@JC_303]

He really wouldn't, he saw the Chems and thought they were good. Then saw them again and said they weren't and he also wrote off Fred Again. I don't think these guys can appreciate decent DJs/producers. And can I blame them? I think the majority of bands they watch are wank, each to their own init. Having a little bit of drugs might help :)

[@71hammyman]

@@JC_303 you're cool.

[@duckssss5873]

@@JC_303 Fred again and bicep sound nothing alike to me tbh, not even a huge bicep fan but their live shows with all the lighting effects is just seemingly an objectively cool thing to witness

[@Fujibread]

I think the fact that Blink-182 and Paramore aren't on here, they've got to be on Glasto

[@dinibo]

Glad to see the pod back up. Really solid breakdown.

[@darren.85]

Agree with this. But no good UK lineups next year? I reckon Download is looking pretty solid!

[@diluteduk]

In my day Reading and Leeds was a rock festival. Anyway, I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now the coach to Reading cost a nickel and in those days nickels had pictures of bees on them. Give me 5 bees for a quarter you'd say. Anyway the important thing is I had tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time.

[@Emma-zb3ex]

Couldn't agree more. Nothing there is a festival exclusive, that's the main issue

[@popgal185]

Enjoyed hearing you both say “Georgia?!” in various tones 😂

[@bethanwatson9723]

Completely agree with the lineup being propa naff, but honestly Foals are so so heavy to see in larger crowds! Seen 65 artists this year and their crowd was in the top 3 for moshing and busyiness etc! Sam fender headlined victorious this year, and he was pretty forgetable tbh.. Thou i agree, fucking imagine dragons. Didnt even know they were still a band 🥲

[@Charliediggy]

Halsey had fireworks this year on the sunday. Main stage east reading

[@CylonModel2]

Agree that the R+L line-up is poor this year, I'm glad that I have one less set of festival tickets to buy this year, but have to disagree there aren't any strong UK festival line-ups. I think it is V-festival meets R+L to be honest. The Download line-up is actually really strong this year. You mentioned Rock 4 People being strong and much of the undercard is similar. Plus double Metallica, Slipknot and Bring Me having their fist bonafide headline slot is huge. I get that you guys have seen enough of Bring Me, but by the time they play the festival they will have only done 3 UK shows in about 2 years, Metallica wont have done a UK show in 4 years and Slipknot in 3 and a half years, they are huge bookings for the festival. Ghost, Parkway, Architects etc are all really big bookings too. Would be really interesting to see what you think of that line-up.

[@bradsewell421]

Just do yourselves a favour and listen to Foals.

[@matthewhunt8051]

I think they have just played it safe this year, with all the media hype of it kicking off. Its like they are trying to attract a more mellow crowd before the red tape takes over.🤷‍♂️

[@willbeanz1]

Everyone here crying but everyone has their own taste in music. I don't like any of these artists but I know thousands and thousands do. Crying about not seeing your alternative acts lol

[@deanscott4956]

Reading is rock mug

[@willbeanz1]

@@deanscott4956 cry baby

[@Emilyxx495]

I feel like they blew the budget on Billie and then just coppered up to see who they could get with the change

[@robstellung]

like the Latitude line up mix up gag.

[@braceface6376]

im 17 and me and all my mates are saying were just gonna get saturday tickets purely for killers because they are up top on the must see list. we're defo going to boardies instead surf the waves 🏄‍♂🏄‍♂🏄‍♂🏄‍♂

[@wharfey9441]

Lads, go to Bicep... It'll change the way you think about electronic music forever

[@euanjones7117]

To be fair I love The Killers, Sam Fender and even Imagine Dragons (at least their older stuff). Imagine dragons are definitely not rock but their live sets are meant to be mint. Although on that note I think I’m giving R&L a miss this year lol

[@_annaxb]

As if we didn’t get an Ndubz vlog!!! I went to see them in Liverpool and my teenage dreams were complete they were so good!!

[@himeisfred]

R&L is for 16-18 year olds. If your taste doesn’t reflect that of a 16-18 year old that will be why you aren’t keen on the lineup :)

[@christianrowbotham9053]

Not many people will agree but I’m happy w the killers their by far my favourite band

[@LaurenLucy]

Muna are great I really recommend giving them a listen! As for Sam Fender his only uk shows this year other R and L are; his two homecoming St James park gig and TRNSMT. Definitely agree this is one of their weakest lineups, probably will be the first time I only get a day ticket for this reason :/

[@twonkdipper6821]

Could a vid of you guys presenting what your ideal but realistic future Leeds/download/Glastonburyline up would be

[@SplittsXSecond]

The Killers are a AAA headliner boys, one of the best live bands touring

[@shreyas743]

Sam fender is class but the rest of that day is tragic

[@Kelnef]

I can tell you right now Imagine Dragons was booked off the back of their League of Legends song thats fucking huge

[@willfish3494]

Meekz is sick he’s just dropped an amazing album he’s gonna be very good

[@archieholden9345]

Fuck Foals are unreal, come on boys

[@fuucollects]

This line up stinks of corporate reading/Leeds out of touch and desperate to stay in with the kids. The deterioration of the reading/Leeds line up is a real thing.