READING Festival has announced who will be replacing Lewis Capaldi when the event returns in August, which may leave you with a feeling of deja vu.
Festival Republic has confirmed that The 1975 are returning to Reading to replace Capaldi, who pulled out of the festival as a result of his ongoing health issues.
They’ll be joined by Knucks when they headline Main Stage West on Saturday, August 26.
It is the third time The 1975 has topped the bill at Reading in the last four years, having played in 2019 and 2021.
It is also the second time in a row that The 1975 has been called in at the last minute to replace an act which has pulled out, after stepping in to fill Rage Against the Machine’s slot last year.
The headline show will mark ten years since their debut, self-titled album, and more than 20 years since the band formed back in 2002.
It follows continuing health problems for Lewis Capaldi, who said on Monday, June 5, that he would not be making any tour appearances ahead of his performance at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, June 24.
He said that the months following the release of his second album earlier this year had been “full on, both mentally and physically,” and has shared his experiences of his diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome.
During his performance on at Glastonbury, Capaldi apologised multiple times as his tics caused him difficulty on stage, with his voice becoming more strained as the set continued.
The crowd sang along and gave their support, including chanting the singer’s name along to the tune of The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army.
While some fans have expressed dismay after the repeat booking, Lewis Capaldi and The 1975 frontman Matty Healy have spoken about their friendship previously.
One day before Capaldi announced he was stepping back, Healy paid tribute to Capaldi on stage at TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow.
“Our good friend Lewis Capaldi is joining us this evening. He’s watching backstage.
“So, on Saturday at Reading and Sunday at Leeds in celebration of 10 years of our debut album The 1975, we will be playing that album in full in support of our good friend Lewis Capaldi.”
Reading Festival takes place from Friday-Sunday, August 25-27.
Tickets are available via: readingfestival.com/tickets
