Charli XCX is preparing to headline Reading Festival this Friday, with the pop star set to close the main Grid stage on the opening night.
The singer is one of six headliners at this year’s festival and is making her only UK festival appearance of 2026 at Reading.
Her set is scheduled for 7.45pm on Friday, before Fontaines D.C. close the night at 9.55pm.
Whether you have followed Charli since her early days or discovered her during the Brat era, here are five songs to know before her Reading Festival performance.
1. Boom Clap
One of Charli’s biggest early hits, Boom Clap was released in 2014 as part of the soundtrack to The Fault in Our Stars.
The track became a major international hit and helped establish Charli as one of pop’s most exciting emerging artists.
It remains one of the songs most closely associated with her breakthrough years.
2. Vroom Vroom
If Boom Clap showcased Charli’s pop credentials, Vroom Vroom demonstrated where she was heading next.
Released in 2016, the track marked a major shift towards the experimental, electronic sound that would become a defining part of her career.
It has since become a fan favourite and an important moment in the development of the sound that eventually led to Brat.
3. 1999
Released in 2018 with Troye Sivan, 1999 gave Charli another major pop hit.
The nostalgic track celebrates the late 1990s and early 2000s, complete with references to the era’s music, films and technology.
It reached the top 20 in the UK and remains one of her biggest collaborations.
4. 360
Fast-forward to the Brat era and 360 became one of the defining tracks from Charli’s critically acclaimed 2024 album.
With its instantly recognisable opening and minimalist electronic production, the song became a huge part of the Brat phenomenon.
It is also one of the tracks most likely to get a huge reaction from the Reading crowd.
5. Apple
Another Brat favourite, Apple became one of the album’s most recognisable songs and took on a life of its own online.
The track became particularly well known for its viral dance trend, bringing another wave of attention to the album.
It has remained a prominent part of Charli’s live performances, with recent 2026 festival setlists also featuring the song.
What time is Charli XCX playing at Reading Festival?
Charli XCX will headline The Grid at 7.45pm on Friday 28 August.
She is followed by Fontaines D.C., who are due on stage at 9.55pm.
Charli arrives in Reading following the release of her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film, which came out in July and includes recent tracks including Camera, Wink Wink, SS26 and Rock Music.
With a headline set spanning more than a decade of her career, fans can expect a mixture of the hits that made her a pop star and the more experimental material that has made her one of the most influential artists of her generation.
