The first headliners and artists have been confirmed for Reading & Leeds Festival 2026, including Charli XCX, DAVE, RAYE, Fontaines D.C.., Florence + The Machine, and Chase & Status all headlining the festival.
Reading & Leeds festival will be returning to Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds from 27-30 August 2026.
The festival will see Fontaines D.C. play their first live show since wrapping up the campaign for their Mercury-nominated album ‘Romance’. The tour they went on kicked off with a performance at Reading & Leeds in 2024 and ended with shows that included their biggest ever headline show at London’s Finsbury Park.
Joining them as a headliner is Florence + The Machine, who have recently released their sixth album ‘Everybody Scream’. This festival appearance with mark their fourth appearance at Reading and Leeds festival in their career. This will also follow from Florence + The Machine’s UK and Ireland arena tour, which kicks off February 2026.
Charli XCX will be making her Reading & Leeds headline debut. Next year sees her release the soundtrack to Wuthering Heights, and perform new material which she has said will take a more experimental turn.
RAYE will also make her headline debut next year following the success of ‘My 21st Century Blues’ and single ‘Where Is My Husband’. In a statement, RAYE said, “You know what listen guys, I’ve done it, I came to Reading & Leeds when I was 16 when I finished my GCSE’s, I was in the dance tent living my life…you know what I mean. I had a dream, and look at me now, it’s all possible.”
DAVE make his return to the festival after headlining back in 2022, and recently releasing ‘The Boy Who Played The Harp’.
Chase & Status have also been confirmed to headline, returning to the festival for the third time after headlining at All Points East festival earlier this year.
Completing the announced line-up so far are Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, JADE, Kneecap, Kettama, Chris Stussy, Geese, Skye Newman, ADELA, and KEO.
Earlier this year, Reading & Leeds festival was headlined by artists such as Bring Me The Horizon, Chappell Roan, Hozier, and Travis Scott, as well as seeing performances from the likes of The Kooks, AJ Tracey, Bloc Party, Royel Otis and more.
When speaking to NME about the festival earlier this year, boss Melvin Benn said he had significant plans for headliners next year, “I’ve already got headliners for two of the three nights booked already for next year, and I’m really confident about the artists. I feel like we’re in a stronger position than I can remember for an awfully long time.”
Reading & Leeds 2026 will take place next year from 27-30 August. Tickets will be on sale from December 3 at 12pm and will be available here.
