Rock and metal fans can rejoice as Leeds and Reading go back to their roots in 2011 with a raft of quality bands…and Beady Eye.
My Chemical Romance, Jane’s Addiction, The Blackout, Frank Turner, Enter Shikari, Muse, Thirty Seconds To Mars, The Offspring, Architects, Deftones, Rise Against and Bring me The Horizon top the list of must-see attractions from August 26-28. Read on for the full line up…Ā
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE TO HEADLINE
Friday 26th August at Reading Festival
Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
We welcome MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE as first time headliners at their only English festival appearance of the year. They conquered the globe with their platinum-selling third album, the bombastic The Black Parade. But the band’s four members, Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Ray Toro and Frank Iero took a radical new direction for their current album Danger Days: The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys; an utterly outrageous, gleefully creative explosion of every quirk, kick and punch the band had been holding in for years. Itās the album My Chemical Romance have been building towards their entire, nearly decade-long career as it defies lazy labels and demolishes expectations. Beholden to no scene, credo or code it’s a rock ‘n’ roll album from the future aimed directly at the dead-hearted present. The bandās vision was rewarded with two NME Awards including the highly prestigious Best International Band. Expect a powerful and thrilling performance from a band at their peak.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ā www.mychemicalromance.com
THE STROKES AND PULP TO HEADLINE
Saturday 27th August at Reading Festival
Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
THE STROKES are set to co-headline this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival. Ā Having recently topped NMEās album of the decade list for debut āIs This Itā they can justifiably be described as one of the perennial rock bands of our generation. Their first three albums achieved critical acclaim and led to multimillion sales and headline festival appearances. With the bandās eagerly anticipated fourth album, āAnglesā, due out 21st March, these dates are sure to re-confirm their staggering live reputation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ā www.thestrokes.com
PULP will co-headline this yearās Reading & Leeds Festival, the Leeds show being their only date in the North of England since they announced their return. Ā Quite simply one of the most popular and successful British groups of our times, the Mercury Music Prize winners have forever etched their way into the history of British music with anthems such as āCommon Peopleā, āSorted For Eās & Wizzā and āDo You Remember The First Time’ and these sets from the Sheffield band are sure to be one of the events of the weekend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION – www.pulppeople.com
* The bands will flip places at the festivals with The Strokes playing after Pulp at Reading and Pulp closing after The Strokes in Leeds.
MUSE TO HEADLINE
Sunday 28th August at Reading Festival
Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
One of the biggest, most impressive live bands in the world, and regularly voted the best, MUSE return to Reading and Leeds for what is sure to be a monumental performance and their Only European Shows of 2011. The band have sold over ten million albums since their formation in 1994 and the trio of Matt Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard have enthralled audiences globally with their incredible live shows. Ā Currently working on an amazing set list which will include all the massive tunes from their extraordinary back catalogue, the Teignmouth group are also putting plans in place to build a spectacular one off, never seen before, stage set which is sure to see the band live up to their tag as Britain’s most ambitious live act. Ā Having recently picked up a Grammy Award for their fifth studio album ‘The Resistance’ and named by the NME as the ‘Best Band’ for the second year running, the group are planning to record the follow up later this year. Ā This will be an un-missable highlight of the weekend to enjoy tens of thousands people singing, dancing and air-guitaring to one of the UK’s most celebrated rock acts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ā www.muse.mu
ON THE MAIN STAGE
Friday 26th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
From Los Angeles, Special Guests THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS have built a huge following since the release of their debut eponymous album in 2002. Ā Featuring Jared Leto (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter), Shannon Leto (drums, percussion) and Tomo Mili?evi? (lead guitar, keyboards) the band have released three albums and collected countless awards and gold discs along the way. Ā Their latest release āThis Is Warā was produced by Flood and Steve Lillywhite and has been described as their āstrongest and most accomplished work to date.ā Ā The bandās live performances have included ballet dancers, string quartets and opera singers in the past, all secondary to Letoās enthralling showmanship so Reading & Leeds can expect a fabulous performance at this their Only UK Festival Appearance.
www.thirtysecondstomars.net
American punk rock at its very finest, THE OFFSPRING have enthralled audiences since they formed back in 1984. Ā They have sold an incredible 35 million albums worldwide and toured continually with an incredible live show. Ā Currently working on their ninth studio album, which vocalist Dexter Holland has hinted will be “straight-up rockin'” this set is sure to feature hits such as UK Number. 1 āPretty Fly (For A White Guy)ā, āOriginal Pranksterā and āYouāre Gonna Go Far, Kidā. Ā These are the bands Only UK Festival Appearances in 2011.
www.offspring.com
DEFTONESā sixth and latest studio album āDiamond Eyesā was named iTunesā 2010 Rock Album of the Year and is recognised as one of their best to date. Ā The Californian bandās diverse and genre -bending sound has seen their career span over a decade and secured them global success. Ā Off the back of a mammoth tour of Europe and the US the band return to the main stage this summer and are sure to be firing on all cylinders at this their Only UK Festival Appearances.
www.deftones.com
Formed in 1999 and selling over 100,000 records in the UK alone, RISE AGAINST are set to make their Main Stage debut at this yearās Reading & Leeds Festival. The punk rock four-piece from Chicago, Illinois graced us with their stage presence in 2009 when they headlined the Lock-up stage, now having released their sixth studio album āEndgameā and touring once again, we can look forward to an explosive return.
www.riseagainst.com
We welcome BRING ME THE HORIZON, the Sheffield band who are defining the sound of modern metal. Their third full length album, āThere Is A Hell, Believe Me Iāve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Letās Keep It A Secretā was released to fantastic reviews last year and their live shows are legendary. Ā Since their formation in 2004 they have found fans around the world and a blistering performance is sure to be in store.
www.bringmethehorizon.co.uk
Energetic popāpunk icons NEW FOUND GLORY once described themselves as āfive kids from the suburbs that knew some power chordsā. Ā The band have certainly come a long way, with 2010 seeing the 10th anniversary reissue of their groundbreaking self-titled album. Their fusion of emo, pop and heavy hardcore riffs will once again bring a lot of fans dancing to the main stage.
www.newfoundglory.com
Recently signing a worldwide record deal with their new label Cooking Vinyl and releasing their third studio album āHopeā, 2011 is certainly moving quickly for six-piece Welsh rock-bruisers, THE BLACKOUT. Having played storming sets on numerous sell out headline tours, the band will once again be unleashing their wrath this summer.
www.theblackout.net
Brighton based youngsters ARCHITECTS have certainly made an impact since their arrival on the UK metal scene, playing alongside acts such as Paramore, Janeās Addiction and metal legends Faith No More. With the band opening proceedings on the main stage, you can guarantee an explosive start to the day.
www.myspace.com/architectsuk
Saturday 27h August at Reading Festival / Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
Brooklyn-based alternative rock band THE NATIONAL return to Reading & Leeds Festival after a five year absence, and will no doubt do so to a huge warm welcome. Ā The release of their fifth album āHigh Violetā last year saw them crack the top five in the UK and US and pick up a massive fan base along the way. Ā These were added to the supporters in the know who had been praising and proclaiming the greatness of this five piece since the release of their debut album in 2001. Ā A genuine hype-free success story they can only win-over more people with their classic Americana sounds this summer.
www.americanmary.com
Festival favourites JIMMY EAT WORLD bring their unique brand of Arizona rock to Reading & Leeds this summer. Ā With recently released album āInventedā heralding a return to the classic sound of their earlier albums, the band fronted by Jim Adkins since they formed in 1993, have continued to thrill crowds with their hard-edged yet melodic rock sounds and blistering live shows.
www.jimmyeatworld.com
Donāt watch that, watch THIS as our Special Guests MADNESS, North Londonās finest moonstompers rock up to the Reading & Leeds Festival with their unique brand of nutty boy ska/pop. Ā Expect a barn-storming greatest hits set comprising old favourites and tracks from the latest album 2009ās return to form āThe Liberty of Norton Folgateā. Ā āOne Step Beyondā, āHouse of Funā, āMy Girlā ā the hits are endless and Suggs and Co. are a formidable live act who will guarantee outbreaks of crazy dancing and sing-a-longs.
blog.madness.co.uk
Since releasing their debut album āTourist Historyā ā the 2010 Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the year in March 2010, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB have rapidly become one of the biggest new success stories in UK music. After selling out headline tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Japan and South America the band have deservedly earned both a devoted word-of-mouth live following and huge critical acclaim. The Times have called them āthe band of the momentā and NME declared that they have āquietly become one of the UKās best loved bands.ā
www.twodoorcinemaclub.com
Few artists at Reading & Leeds Festival this year will have recently celebrated their 70th birthday, but SEASICK STEVE ā guitarist and bluesman extraordinaire is a truly unique individual. Ā He made his first UK television appearance on Jools Hollandās show in 2006 and was an instant hit – an overnight sensation after playing for over 50 years. Two Brit Award nominations followed in 2009 and 2010 and heās just kept playing and startling fans with his incredible talent. A classic artist for the festival.
www.seasicksteve.com
Late 2008 marked the end of a chapter in the life of Leedsā THE PIGEON DETECTIVES, with a sold out headline show at Londonās Alexandra Palace which, added to the 500,000 sales of their first two albums left the band with an impressive CV. Now, fresh from a self imposed two year hiatus they return recharged with a new album. āUP,GUARDS AND AT āEM!ā, ever popular with the public, this yearās appearance at Reading & Leeds ā particularly in Leeds , will once again remind us what an enviable live proposition The Pigeon Detectives are.
www.thepigeondestectives.com
The past twelve months has seen Welsh trio THE JOY FORMIDABLE emerge as one of the acts to watch in 2011. Ā Having headlined the NMEās Radar Tour last year and playing a sold out UK tour early in 2011 live is where The Joy Formidable excel. Ā The gigs had the critics salivating with a breathless NME declaring them āa shockingly special band.ā On stage they push themselves emotionally and sonically to create soundscapes that produce an intense, yet uplifting experience often resulting with singer Ritzy Bryan amongst the crowd.
www.thejoyformidable.com
Sunday 28th August at Reading Festival Ā / Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
The Reading & Leeds Festival play host to one of the UKās most loved and influential bands this summer ā ELBOW – one of only two UK festival appearances the band have confirmed this Ā year. Ā The immense success of the double platinum selling āThe Seldom Seen Kidā brought with it the acclaim the band so richly merited, winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2008, a Brit Award for Best British Band, a South Bank Show prize for Best Album whilst also picking up a pair of Ivor Novello Awards for āOne Day Like Thisā and āGrounds For Divorce. Ā Since then the band have written and recently released their fifth studio album āBuild A Rocket Boysā entering the charts at Number 2 ā the bandās highest ever chart position, and it seems another chapter is written in one of the most intriguing and heart-warming stories in British music.
www.elbow.co.uk
With the release of INTERPOLās eponymous fourth album last year, expectation was high and the band didnāt disappoint. Ā āā¦another album Ā of exquisitely anguished atmosphericsā¦ā exclaimed one critic whilst another stated; āā¦a stadium band in the making, if they choose to be.ā Ā The grandiose cinematic beauty and often eerie intensity of Interpolās catalogue lends itself to soaring climatic shows and as on previous occasions Interpol will plough where others merely follow. Ā A rabid and loyal fanbase will see a band at the top of the game, for those yet to join the ranks catch this stunning live act and be converted.
www.interpolnyc.com
Since the release of FRIENDLY FIRES self-titled debut album in 2008, accolades have arrived thick and fast for this trio from St Albans. The album was a slow burning success which over the ensuing two years saw the band rack up sales in excess of 200,000 in the UK as well as picking a Mercury Music Prize nomination and two Brit Award nominations. The band draw inspiration as much from the electronic world as the guitar one and this is no more obvious Ā than when they hit the stage which has led them to be one the most exciting and critically feted new bands of the past few years. Currently holed up in the studio putting the finishing touches to their second album, this yearās appearance should be captivating.
www.wearefriendlyfires.com
The ever youthful post-hardcore quartet from St Albans ENTER SHIKARI are favourites at Reading & Leeds. Ā Irrespective of which stage they play, the mantra remains the same; have fun and the crowd go absolutely insane! The band have built a fearsome live reputation over the past few years whilst touring across the globe with appearances at Big Day Out In Australia and The Warped Tour in the US and with news that the band are looking to release new material later this year, fans and newcomers alike will again be drawn to what is a most exhilarating live experience.
www.entershikari.com
Dundeeās THE VIEW bring their energetic and hit-packed live show to this yearās Reading & Leeds Festival. The band who with a Number 1 and Mercury Music Prize album āHats Off To The Buskersā under their belt first entertained the crowds here when they headlined the NME/Radio 1 stage way back in 2007. Ā This year will witness no less excitement when they appear playing old favourites along with new material from their third album āBread And Circusesā with no let up in their irrepressible live experience.
www.theviewareonfire.com
FRANK TURNER has developed from a fledgling artist armed with an acoustic guitar and an exceptional DIY work ethic and blossomed from an underground hero to a bona fide mainstream success story following the demise of his previous band Million Dead. Ā From supporting Green Day at Wembley last year and more recently being nominated for two NME Awards at this yearās Brats, the past twelve months has been a whirlwind success which shows no sign of slowing down. Ā A new album is imminent which will no doubt win this amazing artist more fans.
www.frank-turner.com
TAKING BACK SUNDAY play the UK for the first time ever under their original line-up which saw their 2002 debut album āTell All Your Friendsā pave the way towards the bands future successes . With a brand new studio album set for release produced by Eric Valentine ā (QOTSA, Lostprophets) the five-piece from Long Island are sure to be a hit on the Main Stage this summer.
www.takingbacksunday.com
Dan Brown, Liam Cromby, Alfie Scully, Jack Spence and Tom Whittaker are WE ARE THE OCEAN. The band formed in 2007 and has since toured with the likes of The Used, Lostprophets, You Me At Six and Funeral For A Friend. If you have yet to experience We Are The Ocean then there is no better time than these sets, sure to be the talk of the site at the close of the weekend.
www.wearetheocean.co.uk
ON THE NME/RADIO 1 STAGE
Friday 26th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
Reading & Leeds are thrilled to welcome BEADY EYE to headline the NME/Radio 1 Stage for their first ever appearance at the festival. Ā Formed after Oasis split in 2009, Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock released their debut album āDifferent Gear, Still Speedingā in February of this year and played their first live shows worldwide in March. Ā Having been voted the āgreatest frontman of all timeā, Gallagher and the band have already gained plaudits for their live performances with one newspaper declaring Gallagher to be āin the most commanding vocal form of his careerā. Ā This should be an absolutely not to be missed highlight of the weekend.
www.beadyeyemusic.com
Formed in 2007, West London trio WHITE LIES released their debut album āTo Lose My Lifeā in 2009 reaching number one on its release to a fanfare of both critical and commercial acclaim. With an 18 month world tour under their belts the band emerged as one of the bands of 2009. Recharged, excited and buoyed by a new found self- belief, this year has seen the follow-up āRitualā – their full-blooded big-booted tech-rock outing continue the bandās ascendancy both here in the UK and around the world.
www.whitelies.com
The continued maturation of NOAH AND THE WHALE Ā has been a pleasing thing to follow ā from the joyous burst of their debut ,āPeaceful, the World Lays Me Downā, Ā through the lovelorn sobriety of āThe First Days Of Springā, it now reaches a kind of fruition on the recent āLast Night on Earthā. Certainly the band seem to have come of age, as perceived leaders of the same British folk-rock scene that has spawned so many in recent times, with this album the band Ā have found their place and perhaps appear to stand a little taller and little broader than their peers. Theirs is a beautifully woven tapestry of richness, words and entertainment, be enthralled.
www.noahandthewhale.com
THE VACCINES are the quartet who have mopped up the superlatives when it comes to the next big thing over the past Ā six months Ā – including being shortlisted in the BBCās Sound of 2011 poll and primed with their debut album āWhat Did You Expect From The Vaccinesā – look set to thrill on this, their first Reading & Leeds Festival showing. Ā The debut single āWreckinā Barā bore all the hallmarks of what The Vaccines were about, songs that wiggle their way into your consciousness and wonāt let go. So, what can you expect from The Vaccines? Excitement, thrills, melody, power, romance?
www.thevaccines.com
About to release their third album āThe English Rivieraā, the follow up to 2008ās critically acclaimed āNights Outā ā METRONOMY bring their vast sonic soundscapes to this yearās festival. Ā Although a lot of the newer material sees the band embrace warmer pop melodies they havenāt left the dancefloor behind and new tracks such as āThe Lookā with itās all conquering synth-riff will be a festival favourite come the end of the summer.
www.metronomy.co.uk
Having worked with a diverse range of artists including Florence Welch, Marianne Faithfull, Tilda Swinton and most recently Patti Smith, PATRICK WOLFās iconoclastic music has seen him spread his prodigious talents into a number of fields. Following his previous album āThe Bachelorā in 2009, Wolf has been working on new material which arrives in the shape of new album āLupercaliaā. Ā Renowned for the spectacular, especially live, the new songs should propel him into the bigger arena that the scale and ambition of his new music already inhabits.
www.patrickwolf.com
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS are already (naked and) famous in their native New Zealand, one of 2010ās genuine organic buzzes has seen a band lauded by the critics and now with Down Under virtually conquered look set to trailblaze likewise in the Northern hemisphere. This is a band set to blow a crater in 2011ās musical landscape with their Ā first international release āPassive Me, Aggressive Youā, a young Ā group of warped sound merchants to invest your heart and soul in, catch āem early on their festival debut!
www.thenakedandfamous.com
Saturday 27th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
Headlining the NME/Radio 1 stage we are honored to welcome the incredible JANEāS ADDICTION. The flamboyant, outspoken frontman Perry Farrell is one of the most thrilling and electrifying artists of our generation and as anyone privileged to see the band will testify, they remain one of the worldās most accomplished live acts. āJane Saysā, āBeen Caught Stealingā and āJust Becauseā are just some of the classic tracks the band have recorded over their eventful career. The group will also be featuring material from their upcoming new album set for August release. The new album was produced by Rich Costey (Muse, Rage Against The Machine etc) and TV on the Radioās Dave Sitek joined in to help write, program and play bass in what promises to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2011. Janeās Addiction are a definite must-see for rock fans everywhere and are guaranteed to give Reading & Leeds a very special moment.
www.janesaddiction.com
Fresh from headlining this yearās NME Awards tour, CRYSTAL CASTLES, a somewhat anti-social duo of drummer Ethan Kath and the ever enigmatic vocalist Alice Glass return to grace Reading & Leeds Festival. Ā Famed for their uncompromising style both on and off stage their performances are a wonderful cacophony of chaos and crowd participation. With two albums under their belt, sold out tours worldwide, Crystal Castles have created an unexpected and remarkable loyal cult following which is witnessed no more so than when they take to the stage. Miss this duo at your peril.
www.crystalcastles.com
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB return to play this yearās Reading & Leeds Festival, their first appearance since 2009. The band have certainly not been idle in the intervening period having released their well received debut album āI Had The Blues But I Shook Them Looseā in 2009, picking up āBest New Bandā at last yearās NME Awards and releasing their stunning Top 10 acoustic album āFlawsā last summer. 2011 sees the band plug back in and are currently recording their third album which is slated for release later this year.
www.bombaybicycleclubmusic.com
From their festival debut last summer, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING appear to have gone from āones to watchā to THE ones to watch. Last year saw a nomination on the feted BBC Sound poll, a year later has seen them pick up The Times Breakthrough Award at this yearās Southbank Awards for their sensational debut album āMan Aliveā. Described as a record ā..of arresting unpredictability and melodic beauty and subtlety, melding art-rock and the dance floorā, everybodyās favourite new cerebral pop outfit look set to continue their breathtaking trail with a highly anticipated showing at this yearās Reading & Leeds Festival.
www.everything-everything.co.uk
Armed with a new album āBlood Pressuresā, THE KILLS ā Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart – return to Reading & Leeds with their swagger and sass intact. Since their arrival in 2003 the duo have retained the searing guitars, driving rhythms and sexually charged lyrical savvy that has become their trademark. Mosshart, meanwhile as vocalist in The Dead Weather which has further enhanced her reputation and that of The Kills as one of the most vital, striking bands today, whose vividly unique ārockā is at once effortless and timeless.
www.thekills.tv
Los Angeles hip-hop collective OFWGKTA (otherwise known as Odd Future… or Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) have garnered a cult following in the US. Talented, hilarious, villainous and immature ā they are at the forefront of modern hip-hop. Having released no fewer than 12 full length albums since 2008, all available for free on their website, the group recently completed a two stop tour, their first outside of Los Angeles, in New York and London which sold out within 48 hours of announcement. Their concerts have frequently been compared to punk rock shows, with stage diving and moshing ā these hip-hoppers are very much in the ones to watch category.
www.oddfuture.com
Sunday 28th August at Reading Festival / Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
Stepping away from their day jobs in Soulwax, 2 MANY DJās will be this yearās co-headliners on the NME/Radio 1 Stage. Initially finding fame with their genre mashing mixes, the brothers went onto produce remixes for the likes of Gorillaz, The Klaxons, Kylie Minogue, Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem and many more. The 2 MANY DJās set is a guaranteed show stopping headline for this yearās festival and is not to be missed.
www.2manydjs.free.fr
As Mike Skinner calls time on THE STREETS itās hard to underestimate how important our co-headliners have been to the past decade of British music. The final album, āComputers and Bluesā, crams everything Skinner has learnt in the course of his very personal five album odyssey into a package as irresistibly box-fresh as his game-changing 2002 debut āOriginal Pirate Materialā. Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses for a farewell toast to The Streets.
www.the-streets.co.uk
After splitting in 2006, DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 are back and ready to plug in their instruments at Reading & Leeds for another blast of dance-rock mayhem. Formed in 2001, the band were a wakeup call for a stagnant guitar scene. Keeping things simple, the Canadian group had little more than drums, some skittering electronics and bone shuddering bass. With an awesome live reputation, these sets are sure to exceed their own very high standards and deliver a thrilling performance.
www.myspace.com/deathfromabove1979
PANIC! AT THE DISCO are back and will be performing at Reading & Leeds in support of new album āVices and Virtuesā. Ā Just barely out of high school, the emo-pop outfit burst out of suburban Las Vegas in 2005 with their full-length debut, āA Fever You Can’t Sweat Outā. Crafting pop-influenced songs with theatrical touches, quirky techno beats, and perceptive lyrics the tents are sure to be packed out for these shows.
www.panicatthedisco.com
Psychedelic rock band WARPAINT formed in 2004 and consists of Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg and Stella Mozgawa. The all-girl quartet from Los Angeles have toured incessantly over the last couple of years, with standout shows at CMJ and SXSW. Ā NME awarded the debut album 9/10, and were moved to say āitās arguably the greatest debut of the yearā.
www.myspace.com/worldwartour
Highly rated London based five-piece CHAPEL CLUB follow their sold out UK tour with an appearance on the NME/Radio 1 stage. āPalaceā, the bandās acclaimed debut album will play its part along with new tracks that Ā together encapsulate the bandās musical diversity – be it the Kraut rock drive of āAfter The Floodā, the seductive roller coaster of Ā āThe Shoreā or the pop elegance of recent single āAll The Eastern Girlsā ā a song for every mood⦠Chapel Club are a remarkable band, join the congregation!
www.chapelclub.com
When CAGE THE ELEPHANT released their self-titled debut in 2009, they were heralded as saviors of slacker funk-punk thanks to their hit āAināt No Rest for the Wickedā. The album went on to sell over 500,000 copies worldwide, and remained on the Billboard 200 Chart for 73 consecutive weeks. The raucous Kentucky rockers are now back with new album āThank You Happy Birthdayā, so get ready for another ferocious kick of gut-grabbing rock ānā roll.
www.cagetheelephant.com
ON THE FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
Friday 26th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
THE HORRORS will take to the Festival Republic Stage as our headliners for what is sure to be two very special shows. After forming in the summer of 2005, the band quickly gained notoriety around London for their look, sound and brief but frantic live shows. Mixing shoegazing, post-punk and goth influences, expect The Horrors to deliver one of those iconic Festival Republic Stage moments.
www.thehorrors.co.uk
Saturday 27th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
After drawing one of the weekendās biggest crowds last year, THE MIDNIGHT BEAST return as our Festival Republic Stage headliners. The internet sensations sent YouTube into meltdown last year with their cover of Ke$haās āTik Tokā. If you havenāt seen them live yet, think of them as a musical version of the characters of The Inbetweeners, and be sure to catch them this summer at Reading & Leeds.
www.myspace.com/midnightbeastuk
Sunday 28th August at Reading Festival / Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
We are proud to welcome the quintessential rock star PETER DOHERTY as a Festival Republic Stage headliner. After last yearās incredible performances with The Libertines, one of the best British songwriters of our generation returns in what is sure to be one of the highlights of the weekend.
www.albionrooms.com
ON THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE
Sunday 28th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
The return to the Reading & Leeds Festival of the multifaceted TIM MINCHIN is one of the highlights of this yearās Alternative Stage. Having won numerous awards since his rise from obscurity to celebrity in the midānoughties, Tim has firmly established himself, both here, back home in Australia and America as one the most versatile performers Ā on the live circuit. Tim has performed sell out shows at The Sydney Opera House, Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Just for Laughs Festivals in Canada amongst others. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, written a pilot for Radio 2 and recently written the music and lyrics for the musical āMatildaā with The Royal Shakespeare Company which opened late last year. 2010 also saw Tim embark on his first Arena Tour of the UK where he was joined by the 55 piece Heritage Orchestra and a band, which he then took on a sell out tour of Australia before its return to the UK culminating in two shows at Londonās Royal Albert Hall. Always one for the unexpected, this year is no exception and will feature Tim and a special rock ānā roll set!
www.timminchin.com
Saturday 27th August at Reading Festival / Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
The Alternative stage welcomes the superb talent of LEE NELSON. The cheeky, happy-go-lucky loveable tearaway from South London has recently been a hit on the stage for other reasons than just stand-up, performing with best pal Omelette to Whamās āClub Tropicana’ on Letās Dance for Comic Relief. Lee is of course a character created by comedian Simon Brodkin whose successes include the hit BBC3 vehicle āLee Nelsonās Well Good Showā. He has also written for and performed on ‘Al Murrayās Multiple Personality Disorder’. Brace yourselves for this one, itās gonna be āWell Goodā.
www.leenelson.com
Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
Award-winning stand-up, writer and performer RUSSELL KANE has firmly established himself as one of the best comics in the UK since exploding onto the scene in autumn 2003. This year saw Russell win the Fosterās Edinburgh Comedy Award for his show āSmokescreens and Castlesā ā the most prestigious award in Comedy ā having been shortlisted for the award a total of three times including one nomination for Best Newcomer for his Edinburgh show, āThe Theory of Pretensionā. In a prolific few years for Russell, some of the highlights include writing a play called āThe Great British Country Feteā for the Bush Theatre, joining ITV2ās āIām A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here Nowā presenting team and making an acclaimed appearance on BBC 1ās flagship comedy show āLive At The Apolloā. Described as āone of the finest young performers aroundā by Time Out and an āinspiring and brilliant stand-up… perfectā by Chortle, these shows are not to be missed.
www.russellkane.co.uk
Friday 26th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
In describing HENRY ROLLINS, the tendency is to try to squeeze as many labels as possible into a single sentence – but if he could be reduced to a single word, that word would undoubtedly be āworkaholicā. For more than a quarter century, Rollins has toured the world as a spoken word artist and as front man for both the Rollins Band and Black Flag. When heās not living out of a suitcase, Rollins is constantly working as an actor, radio DJ, author and publisher. Henryās spoken word performances are a seamless mix of humour and political commentary. In 2010, he toured both hemispheres on the slogan āknowledge without mileage equals bullshitā with his āFrequent Flyer Tourā, and the Reading & Leeds fans are sure to be in for a treat when he arrives in 2011.
www.henryrollins.com
Saturday 27th August at Reading Festival / Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
One of Britainās most acclaimed comics, MARK THOMAS has also been at the forefront as one of the countryās most recognised and influential activists. With a career on stage spanning 25 years, from his early days as a guest on Radio 1ās The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Channel 4ās numerous series of the cutting edge Mark Thomas Comedy Project / Mark Thomas Project to his well documented and life changing influence Dispatches programmes, he has continued to argue and investigate. In recent years, Thomas has undertaken several sold out tours of the UK, the latest, āExtreme Ramblingā (Walking The Wall) recounts his walking the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier crossing between the Israeli and Palestine side. āMoving and inspiringā¦as gripping as any live performance you will see.ā said The Guardian. Passionate and emotive, catch this multi award winning comedian, author and activist and you cannot fail to be inspired.
www.markthomasinfo.com
TICKETING INFO
Weekend tickets £192.50 plus booking fees ⢠Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £82.50 plus booking fee ⢠Early entry permits £15 ⢠Weekend ticket prices include camping.
Online/Telephone from Monday 21st March 7.15pm:
Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of four per household for those booking by telephone or online and two per person for personal callers to walk in stores.
Credit Card line: 0870 060 3775
Or online at: www.festivalrepublic.com Ā www.seetickets.com Ā www.readingfestival.com Ā Ā www.leedsfestival.com
In Person from Tuesday 22nd March.
Selected HMV stores from 8am Tuesday 22nd March. See websites for store listings.
In Person from Tuesday 22nd March 8am:
Reading tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 22nd March 8.00am when paid for in cash at the Reading Arts & Venues Box Office, The Hexagon.
Leeds tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 22nd March 8.00am when paid for in cash at Leeds Visitor Centre.
Also in person from Crash Records and Jumbo Records subject to booking fees.
Please note that picture ID/proof of address will be required at the time of booking. Tickets are subject to availability.
Limit of 2 per household/person for personal callers.
Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children’s area at this event.
For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit www.readingfestival.com www.leedsfestival.com