Reading & Leeds First Announcement

Yesterday (9th December 2022) Festival Republic and BBC Radio One announced the first wave of acts for Reading & Leeds 2023. Including all six, yes six headliners.

Headlining the festival next year is 

1. Sam Fender
2. Foals
3. The Killers
4. Lewis Capaldi 
5. Billie Eilish 
6. Imagine Dragons

A real mix bag of acts headlining the festival. Some newcomers (Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi) who are huge stars in their own right. 

Foals and The Killers have headlined before, Foals in 2016 and The Killers in 2008. Billie Eilish played the festival in 2019 and drew one of the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen, fresh from her Glastonbury headline slot this year, she has proven she deserves a chance in these slots.

Away from the headliners, the festival covers a real plethora of genres. Indie is covered by Inhaler, Declan Mckenna and The Snuts. Nothing But Thieves offer something a bit heavier. Those who want to dance, have Becky Hill and Bicep. Slowthai, and Lil TJay offer something for those more inclined to rap and hip hop.

Overall its a real mixed bag, and doesn't entirely keep to the festivals roots, I also think they have missed out on some real opportunities. Both Blur and Pulp are touring next year it would have been a real coup for the festival to have one of them headline. Imagine Dragons shouldn't be headlining in 2023 in my opinion.  Artists like Florence & the Machine, Paramore, Blink 182 should also have been asked. They are all touring next year!

What do you lot think?