Reading Festival organisers have hailed this year’s event as a major step forward, following what they described as the biggest transformation in the festival’s history.
More than half a million music fans attended Reading and Leeds Festival across the Bank Holiday weekend, with Reading hosting a line-up featuring some of the biggest names in British and Irish music.
The festival’s managing director Melvin Benn said he was “incredibly proud” of what had been achieved.
“I could not be prouder of what the team have achieved this year,” said Mr Benn, managing director of Festival Republic.
“They have transformed the vision behind Reading & Leeds, setting out a bold pathway for the future and delivering the biggest festival in Europe this summer.
“From the strength of the headliners – all-British and Irish – to the transformation of the sites at both Reading and Leeds, to the expansion of our new-music offering, we have set down a marker in the British cultural landscape.”
Reading’s headline acts included Charli XCX, Dave, Fontaines D.C., RAYE, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status.
Festival-goers were also treated to surprise performances from Jamie T, Lola Young and Royal Blood, alongside a host of special guest appearances across the weekend.
Five new areas were introduced as part of the festival’s largest-ever staging and arena overhaul, including The Gallery, The Warehouse, The Ballroom, The Canopy and The Yard.
Mr Benn said the reaction from festival-goers, artists and partners had been “incredible”.
“We can’t wait to share our plans for 2027,” he added.
Reading and Leeds Festival will return from Thursday, 26 August to Sunday, 29 August 2027.
Leeds also underwent major changes as part of the joint festival overhaul, including new late-night spaces and its first-ever Thursday night headline performance.
