Reading & Leeds has steadily been moving with the times of late, shaking off its exclusively hard rock tags and providing a hospitable environment for teens looking to catch a glimpse of the biggest electronic stars on the airwaves. Nonetheless, the festival behemoths never forget call upon the talents of some of the biggest bands in the world to appease their loyal following. 2016 saw a progressive array of acts gracing the Bramham Park and Richfield Avenue sites, with headliners featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers, Biffy Clyro and two British acts making the step up for the first time; Foals and Disclosure.
Highlights from across the weekend included Boy Better Know quite literally taking over the Main Stage as Nas, Jack Garratt,The 1975 and Blossoms provided rip-roaring performances to a packed out NME tent. Elsewhere on the lineup, Chicago’s Whitney did much to show why they are a shining light in the indie scene, while Savages delivered a tense and unnerving performance to help drive home why more female acts should feature higher on the R+L billing. There were warm receptions from artists including Giggs, Sigma, Netsky and DJ EZ who would never have dreamed they would be taking to the Reading & Leeds stage in the career 10 years ago; a clear sign of the dual festival’s shifting persona.
Check out the full highlights by clicking here.
Watch highlights from Disclosure on The Main Stage
Watch highlights from Boy Better Know on The Main Stage
Watch highlights from Nas on The NME Stage
Watch highlights from Red Hot Chili Peppers on The Main Stage
Watch highlights from Blossoms on The NME Stage
Watch highlights from Jack Garratt on The NME Stage
Watch highlights from Foals on The Main Stage
Watch highlights from Giggs on The Radio 1xtra Stage
Words by Elliot Ryder
Photos courtesy of BBC
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