Reading and Leeds Festival


Alt-J, Deftones, Sub Focus and Boy Better Know are the first to be confirmed for next years Reading and Leeds Fest, alongside an announcement of an expanded 3 day dance area and a new Hip Hop & Grime stage.
Reading and Leeds Festival returns on Friday 23rd August - Sunday 25th August 2013 at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds.
The biggest dual-site festivals in Britain are set to be bigger and better than ever, with additional stages, an updated new look, and of course the all-important line-up. The festivals will remain the best choice for music lovers and in 2013 will boast more genres of music than ever before. Festival boss Melvin Benn has been planning these exciting changes and additions to the festivals over the past year, refining and expanding their proposition for the fans:
 “This is a dynamic time for the festivals. Not only do we have a fresh look for next year, but we are also adding to the fans’ experience of the festival with the introduction of more stages and genres of music, which also inevitably means an increase in the number of artists playing across the weekend.
The Reading & Leeds festival goers listen to a diverse range of music and with the likes of BBC Radio 1 offering specialist shows focused on rock and dance and BBC Radio 1Xtra - now a station in its own right - this broad spectrum of musical genres reflects what the fans are into and what Reading & Leeds represents. I’m really thrilled about the additions we have planned and I’m committed to ensuring Reading & Leeds remain the highlight of the festival season for many years to come.”
There are some exciting changes to be made to the festival, plus ticket details and a limited period for a £50 deposit scheme. For now, you can whet your appetite with some of the first acts announced.
The iconic alternative rock band, Deftones. As legendary figures in west-coast rock 'n' roll, they have sold over four million records worldwide. Today, they are cited as an inspiration by the likes of Museand Biffy Clyro. The way their sound has evolved from 90’s metal to expansive noise rock has put them in a league of their own, but expect to hear plenty from their seven-album career including material from their critically acclaimed new record ‘Koi No Yokan’.

Deftones commented:
"We are thrilled to be returning to reading and Leeds. In previous years it’s always been a highlight for us and we are honoured to have been invited back."
An NME favourite, Alt-J, will take to the top of the bill on the NME/Radio 1 Stage. 2012 has seen Alt-J go from virtual unknowns to the hottest new band in Britain. Alt-J’s astonishing year was topped off when their debut album ‘An Awesome Wave’ won the coveted 2012 Mercury Prize and reached gold status. 


                                                   Alt-J

The gig is especially exciting for Alt-J lead singer Joe, whose first festival was Leeds in 2002:
“It was great, although I wasn’t prepared at all. Took some Pot Noodles and about a tenner and that was it. I was struggling. The festival was amazing, though: Incubus, Hundred Reasons, The Hives, Foo Fighters, the Prodigy. I was having the time of my life.”
With the expansion of the Dance Stage into a standalone three-day tent keeping festival fans on their feet, Reading & Leeds are excited to announce Sub Focus as the first name for the all-new BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage. His ground breaking live show is a true spectacle, incorporating some of the most developed technology used today, including epic visuals displayed on a bespoke circular LED video installation and hypnotic lighting sequences. 
With the first wave of artists revealed across the festival, Reading & Leeds Festival 2013 is already shaping up to be one amazing weekend, with much more still to come. The festivals have always been synonymous with incredible headliners, with The Cure, Kasabian and The Foo Fighters topping the bill at Reading this year, but also the way in which they play an important role for emerging artists, a trait common with all festivals on the circuit.
"This festival has played host to a number of now legendary performances including Nirvana’s appearance in 1992 and Them Crooked Vultures’ surprise set in 2009. Even as far back as 1972, The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood played a show with The Faces at Reading, his first ever festival appearance of any note.  Proof, if needed, that the festivals really are the stuff of music legend".
The festivals have also always supported a wide range of upcoming and established urban music across rap, hip-hop and grime, having welcomed cutting-edge artists such as Azealia Banks, Odd Future and pioneers of grime Dizzee Rascal and Wiley over the past few years. During the last decade grime has crossed over from the backstreets of South and East London to huge stadium shows, with artists taking their music to a wider audience and playing to festival crowds at Reading & Leeds.
Melvin Benn explains the importance of this new stage:
“The addition of this stage is as exciting as anything we’ve ever done at Reading & Leeds. It is something that’s been developing in my head for some time and, after discussion, it has now become a reality as the BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage. This stage will absolutely hit you straight between the eyes with the best of UK hip-hop and grime, with some US acts in the line-up too. I’m delighted to be working with BBC Radio 1Xtra on it and also with promoter We-Represent”.
The dance offering at Reading & Leeds has always been popular too, with fans taking time away from all the rock ‘n’ roll and indie and really letting go. Over the years Reading & Leeds’ Dance Stage has witnessed performances from the likes of Katy B, Deadmau5 and Chase & Status, who have all had the tent packed to the rafters. 
With a rich history spanning over four decades, Reading Festival and its younger sister event Leeds Festival remain as one of the pinnacles on the festival calendar. 
Feeling Festive? Grab your tickets in December at 2012 prices for a chance to win big
For a full list of authorised ticket outlets please visit the official festival websites.
For the December presale only, 2013 tickets are frozen at 2012 prices, plus applicable booking fees:
Weekend tickets: £197.50
Early Entry permits: £15
Campervan permits: £60
Lockers: £15
Don’t have all the money right now? Secure your ticket for just £50.
For full ticket terms and conditions please visit the official festival websites, and the latest line-up announcements visit

WWW.READINGFESTIVAL.COM

 OR

WWW.LEEDSFESTIVAL.COM

COURTESY OF THE ZEITGEIST AGENCY


see this post on the NOCTIS blog here

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