The Aux Stage, newly rebranded for 2024, was focused on digital content creators and featured a mix of live podcasts, interactive talks, and performances. Some of the scheduled acts included The Chravas (content creators), Things I Wish My Mum Told Me (self-help podcast), and the M1 Podcast.

The BBC Radio 1 stage is one of the festival’s primary stages, featuring a mix of well-known and emerging artists across various genres. As part of both the Reading and Leeds Festivals, this stage is known for hosting major performances from popular artists, often serving as a stepping stone to headlining the main stage in future years.

This year it was meant to show artists such as Beabadoobee, James Marriott, Destroy Boys, Good Neighbours, and Felix Ames.

As reported by NME, in response to the news of the stage closure, Beabadoobee posted on X, telling fans:

I had a whole outfit planned. Well I’ll see u guys at reading!!! I’ll b back in Leeds soon I hope sorry about this guys I love you !!!!.

At 9am this morning, Leeds Festival organisers took to X in a post to festival-goers stating: “We’re urging you to stay in your tents if you are onsite and feel safe to do so. If you are in your car, please remain there. If you are not yet at the festival site, please delay your arrival. We’re expecting it to ease up at 10am and we will update you in 30 minutes. Your safety is our number one priority. Remember to look out for each other.”

It is unsurprising that Leeds is acting with caution as the festival is one of the UK’s largest and most popular, attended by over 100,000 people each year.

The festival typically takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and runs in conjunction with its sister festival, Reading Festival, which is held at Richfield Avenue in Reading. Both festivals share the same lineup, with artists performing on alternate days at each location.

COVID vaccinations will be offered at Reading from 9:30 am-5 pm from the start of the festival through to Sunday (August 29), and from 9 am-1 pm on Monday (August 30). Whereas at Leeds, jabs will be available between 10 am and 4 pm from today through to Sunday, and from 8 am-11 am on Monday.

Health professionals will also be present at the festivals in order to offer advice and answer any questions that people may have, however anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be given the vaccine.

According to NME Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP and deputy lead for NHS England’s vaccination programme, stated “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers, more than half a million young people aged 16 and 17 have had their first dose as teams across the country have worked tirelessly to get their communities protected, vaccinating at convenient pop-up clinics in the park, at places of worship and stadiums, and now at Reading and Leeds. It is great to see the return of live music and performances, and as festival-goers head to the main stage this weekend to see their favourite headliners, I am also urging anyone who hasn’t to add the ‘vaccine tent’ to their festival itinerary to get that lifesaving vaccine as the best protection we can get from coronavirus.”

It should also be noted that if you decide to leave the site at any point you will need to again provide proof of your COVID status.

Please note: If you are leaving the site at any point over the weekend to go to your car, the shop, or elsewhere you will need to show proof of your Covid status again on re-entry. So don’t forget your lateral flows ‼️ pic.twitter.com/lf9JDQhroO

— Reading & Leeds Fest (@OfficialRandL) July 30, 2021

Festivalgoers were also previously offered the vaccine at Latitude 2021, which was one of the first festivals to be held at full capacity after the COVID restrictions were lifted.

For those attending the festival according to the Met Office,  both Reading and Leeds are likely to enjoy a dry weekend. There is a less than five per cent chance of rain across the entire period, though there is a slight increase to 10 per cent at some points. Attendees from both southern and northern legs could see highs of 21°