Headliners and Highlights
The headliners may take centre stage at Reading Festival this month, but dig deeper, and it’s clear this is an event that reflects a cross-section of society today.
In our summer special last issue, we highlighted the headliners at this year’s Reading Festival from 21-25 August, and rightly so. The six named leads are all big draws and are sure to rock the festival: Fred again.., Lana Del Rey, Blink-182, Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Gerry Cinnamon are all set to top the bill on the most prestigious main stage of all, and the people behind the festival know they have come up trumps.
“I am very proud that the biggest artists in the world choose to play Reading and to have three incredible UK festival exclusives – the electrifying Fred again.., a true generational talent Lana Del Ray, and the legendary Blink-182,” says Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic. “The iconic Liam Gallagher will return to play an all-time classic album, ‘Definitely Maybe’, which will be a special moment indeed. We pride ourselves on nurturing artists from the early stages of their careers, so to see acts like Catfish and the Bottlemen rising through the festival to headline for the second time is very rewarding. Last year was a hugely successful one for attendance and sensational audience feedback, and we are eager to build upon this success even further at the UK’s biggest and best music festival.”
A Diverse Line-Up
Their ability to pull together an eclectic mix of acts that covers all genres and tastes has kept Reading Festival (and its sister show in Leeds) ahead of the pack. Alongside the leads, the organisers announced over 50 new artists for 2024, including Reneé Rapp, Fontaines D.C., Denzel Curry, Pendulum, Neck Deep, and Nia Archives. They will also join the previously announced London-born hip-hop star 21 Savage, BRIT nomination record breaker RAYE, pioneering producer Skrillex, UK R&B icon Jorja Smith, dance music heavyweights The Prodigy, UK drill pioneer Digga D, and one of the world’s most hyped young metal acts Spiritbox.
The Chevron: A Technological Marvel
Reading’s unique soundscape—the beating heart of youth culture—continues its constant evolution with this latest cohort of contemporary artists reshaping music on their own terms. It is an event that never stands still, attracting 240,000 combined visitors a year and standing as the largest UK festival devoted solely to music.
“It’s thrilling to announce such an incredible range of groundbreaking artists who are shaping the music scene in real-time,” adds Melvin. “Reading doesn’t stand still; our audience demands the best, and our lineup strives to reflect what people are currently listening to. As the UK’s biggest and best music festival, Reading is a unique and prestigious platform that attracts the world’s biggest artists. We’re proud to always be at the cutting edge, and keen eyes may have spotted another evolution for the show, The Chevron.”
The Chevron, an immense 40,000-capacity open-air venue, will feature mammoth staging and the world’s first floating video canopy made up of hundreds of thousands of programmable LED lights, turning the sky above into a dazzling, reactive display. The bespoke structure, exclusive to Reading and Leeds, promises an immersive atmosphere and incredible programming, raising the bar for dance music and hip-hop fans and artists alike.
Positioned in the main arena of both festival sites, The Chevron is a step forward and also signals the return of the singular iconic main stage. The stage’s construction represents a feat of engineering, as the LEDs will appear to be hovering in the air. The canopy will bathe the audience in dynamic light, and the mesh is 90% transparent, so fans can dance under the open sky into the early hours. Featuring the biggest acts, bespoke creative visuals, cutting-edge tech, and a world-class sound system, The Chevron is a must-visit festival experience you can’t have anywhere else. It will also be the new home of the world’s biggest silent disco, which last year was headlined by SIGMA in a live simulcast set across both sites.
“The Chevron is more than just a physical stage; it’s a testament to Reading & Leeds’ continued commitment to innovation and industry leadership,” Melvin says. “We demonstrated this previously with the introduction and success of dual main stages in 2021. This year, I saw the opportunity to do something new and truly special, reflecting the audience’s evolving tastes and cutting-edge production for which the show is known. This elevates our electronic and hip-hop music offerings while still delivering six main-stage headliners and a strong representation across other genres. I can’t wait for everyone to experience The Chevron this summer.”
Introducing The Aux
That’s not all. Another new stage has been announced in the shape of The Aux. This stage will feature a digital content creator-led lineup for the first time at a music festival, highlighting some of today’s most popular and culturally relevant personalities and providing a new platform in the live sector.
Located in the main arena, The Aux will offer festival-goers a mix of live podcasts, interactive talks, streams, and hands-on activities, with no filter and no topic off-limits. Currently confirmed for the stage are The Useless Hotline, Antics With Ash, In Ayamé We Trust, and the M1Podcast, making The Aux the place to bridge the gap between the digital world and live entertainment.
“The relevance and impact that this new generation of creators has on our culture and audience is undeniable,” Melvin explains about the new stage. “The Aux stage is a platform to move their brilliant and innovative work onto a live stage. Music and digital innovation have always gone hand in hand, and this is a new and exciting moment where the online world can connect with the offline, and our audiences can get a bit closer to the faces and voices they know and love. We have supported and championed musicians from emerging talent to headliners, and we hope The Aux will play a part in doing just that for those who are transforming entertainment too.”
The First Acts Announced for The Aux
The first-ever acts announced for The Aux include the charismatic and chaotic Max Balegde and comedic personality George Clarke, both renowned for their podcast The Useless Hotline, which has captivated audiences by answering listeners’ queries and dilemmas no matter how big, small, weird, or embarrassing. Ash Holme will bring a live version of Antics with Ash, where nothing is off-limits, chaos is embraced, and tomfoolery is encouraged. Expect the unexpected with a large helping of hilarity.
Ayamé Ponder is a content creator, presenter, and podcast host with a global following, known for her viral TikTok videos and hilarious skits. In 2023, Ayamé launched her podcast ‘In Ayamé We Trust’, and it quickly rose to prominence in its first six episodes. This summer, she will bring it to a live stage for the first time. The M1 Podcast is coming to The Aux. Manchester’s finest, hosted by Mordz, SK, and BillyTheGoat, is known for platforming rappers, off-the-cuff freestyles, and huge laughs. It’s set to be a lively set for M1’s debut live show.
Reading Festival is always looking at innovative new ways to showcase the best of music and youth culture, and The Aux will also give audiences the opportunity to connect with those they spend countless hours with online in a more intimate setting at the festival, capturing these special moments, and produce content that fans can watch back online and enjoy even when they might not be at the festival. The Reading Festival has everything from the biggest names in music to the people shaping debate and insight into 21st-century life. For more information, visit the Reading Festival’s official website.
