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Reading Leeds updates two headliners booked
Two 2026 headliners are booked and more plans are in motion, with details to follow.
Melvin Benn tells NME that two headliners for 2026 are booked, with plans for a third in progress.
Reading Leeds books two 2026 headliners
Melvin Benn told NME that two of the three nights on the 2026 Reading and Leeds lineup are booked already, signaling growing confidence in the festival's appeal. He said the momentum is real and that a third headliner is not far behind. Benn also described changes to the camping layout in 2025 aimed at improving access for solo campers, eco friendly visitors, and LGBTQ+ attendees.
Fans will see this weekend's 2025 edition with Chappell Roan and Hozier topping Friday's bill, Bring Me The Horizon and Limp Bizkit on Saturday, and Travis Scott closing on Sunday. Benn was careful about publicly naming future headliners, arguing that artists should earn headliner status through time on the festival's stages rather than be tipped too early. He also noted that acts on this year's bill could rise to the top if they keep growing and delivering live shows on the festival circuit.
Key Takeaways
"I've already got headliners for two of the three nights booked already for next year, and I'm really confident about the artists."
Benn on early 2026 headliners
"We're not far away from having the third one already booked."
Progress toward 2026 lineup
"Yes, there are two or three on the bill this year that I think are future headliners."
Potential on this year's bill
"Let them start on one of the smaller stages and come all the way through."
Talent development policy
Locking in two headliners early can provide planning stability and help drive ticket sales, but it also risks narrowing the field if early names overshadow rising talents. The real test will be whether these headliners draw a broader audience across genres and generations while leaving space for acts to develop on mid sized stages.
Benn’s approach also suggests a broader strategy for the festival: build momentum around a core lineup while fostering acts through the ranks. At the same time, the festival faces ongoing political sensitivities as artists engage in public debates and activism. How fans, sponsors, and local communities respond to those moments will influence future investment and coverage. The balance between commercial goals and artistic signaling is increasingly delicate in the festival economy.
Highlights
- I’ve already got headliners for two of the three nights booked already for next year, and I’m really confident about the artists.
- We’re not far away from having the third one already booked.
- Yes, there are two or three on the bill this year that I think are future headliners.
- Let them start on one of the smaller stages and come all the way through.
Political and public reaction risks at festival
The article notes artist statements on political issues at Reading & Leeds, which could trigger backlash from fans, sponsors, or local authorities. This adds a layer of controversy that organizers must manage.
Momentum builds as readings of the lineup shift from planning to performances.
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