mxdwn.co.uk » Main Stage https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:37:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Reading And Leeds Festival Remains One Of UK’s Biggest Draws With Thrilling Performances For 2023 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/reading-and-leeds-festival-remains-one-of-uks-biggest-draws-with-thrilling-performances-for-2023/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/reading-and-leeds-festival-remains-one-of-uks-biggest-draws-with-thrilling-performances-for-2023/#comments Sun, 03 Sep 2023 11:35:12 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=64261 Reading and Leeds Festival (25-27 August) still remains one of the UK’s most unmissable live events and this year’s edition certainly packed enough into its star-studded weekend to satisfy music lovers many times over. Perhaps the only criticism that festival-goers could direct at the event is that, inevitably, the party had to come to an end but the highlights will live long in the memory for those lucky enough to have attended.

The action commenced on Friday, with a career defining performance from You Me At Six (featuring a cameo appearance by Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari), which set the tone for the festival-assuring crowds that the acts preparing to hit the famous stages were ready to bring their A game.


And the first day could be best summed up by Sam Fender’s everyman, emotional performance as Friday night’s headliner. Fender, playing the role of humble musician perfectly, perhaps best reflects the thousands of spectators gathered at Reading and Leeds-appealing to the crowd that he is merely one of them and would happily play the role of underdog. While the warm sentiment will have pleased most in front of him, chances are Fender’s career will continue to hit greater and loftier heights in the future.

Saturday picked up right where the festival left off the night before with, arguably, a sneak peek of what may be to come, after Sleep Token added yet another huge notch to their gig belt with an atmospheric performance on the Festival Republic Stage. The band just seem to be gaining in status with each month that goes by and there is no telling where the band can aspire to.


But the Main Stage West was treated to something special indeed when the disappointment of Lewis Capaldi was assuaged by the nostalgia inducing set of his replacement, The 1975. The band opted to perform their 2013 eponymous record in full, transporting the audience back 10 years when the band had the world beckoning. The 1975 proved that even a decade removed, the self-titled album still resonates, with even the newly initiated finding something to nod their heads along to.

Of course, not to be outdone, The Killers delivered a set to remember, even at one point featuring a young teen playing drums on “For Reasons Unknown.” The band have long been indie rock’s crown jewel and the band proved their credentials with a headlining set that all but cements them as one of the greatest of their generation.


The final day for the festival promised to be one of the most defining of the weekend and with Imagine Dragons headlining Main Stage West, it certainly got off to the right start. Delivering pure, feel good vibes, the band set the excitement up perfectly for Sunday night’s headliner.

It is simply stunning that Billie Eilish is the youngest performer ever to headline the Main Stage at only 21 years old, but the singer graced the stage like the conquering hero she is. Featuring her hit song from the Barbie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?” Eilish’s proven success was laid bare for all to see, as her staggering 20 song setlist delivered exactly what festival-goers were craving, marking a thrilling and satisfying end to one of the UK’s most beloved festival experiences.

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