LEEDS FESTIVAL REVIEW 2026
"I went to Leeds festival and all I got was a temporary tattoo and the best weekend of my life”
PHOTO: Fontaines DC by Ruby Boland
Now Leeds Festival has always had a special place in my heart. From first attending the festival as a bright eyed 17 year old to now covering the weekend as a member of the press over 10 years later, no other place quite gives me the butterflies-in-your-tummy excitement as the drive up to Bramham Park.
A drive I have done many, many times over the years, in the back of friend’s parents cars, on the humble shuttle bus, and this time in the back of my mate’s own car (I’m still living life sans driving license -don’t judge). But as we once again stood in line to collect our wristbands, I hoped that this year could live up to the high expectations I always have for the festival. It is one of the biggest moments in the UK music calendar after all.
Spoiler – Leeds Festival 2026 did not disappoint.
PHOTO: Kasabian by Ruby Boland
Of course the line up was every modern music fan’s (damp) dream- especially after those biblical downpours- with sets from pop princesses Charli XCX, Jade and Adéla; rap icons like Dave and Skepta; and rock and roll royalty Fontaines DC and Florence and the Machine. The festival also featured live music on the Thursday for the first time ever, with sets from Arkayla, The Lathums and Kasabian, making everyone’s favorite weekend last just that little bit longer.
When it comes to the line up one thing’s for sure; Reading and Leeds is a Festival that consistently books the right artists at the right time. 2026 was a perfect example of how this meticulous planning by the festival always ensures an absolutely unforgettable weekend.
PHOTO: Charli XCX by Henry Redcliffe
Marking almost the exact moment we waved a final goodbye to Brat summer and headbanged into to Music, Fashion and Film, Charli XCX’s festival exclusive performance felt like one for the history books. After watching her now iconic Glastonbury festival set of last year, I did wonder if she would be able to turn it up yet another a notch for Reading and Leeds. Turns out she turned it up so high she basically broke the dial. Alternating between black and white and brightly coloured visuals, the set blended her latest and most loved works seamlessly with old. With a troupe of supermodels and dancers on hand to bring the new super stylized era to life Charli dominated the stage she wholeheartedly deserved to be on.
PHOTO: Charli XCX by Henry Redcliffe
And then there was Florence and the Machine, of course. Who radiated ethereal beauty in a custom Alexander McQueen dress as she frolicked barefoot around the stage in the way she has become belovedly known for in her almost double decade spanning career. A rock and roll queen herself, Welch made a powerful statement, opening with her new hit single Everybody Scream. The highlight of her set for me was the moment she did what most parents of teenagers will know is an almost impossible feat- she got us to put our phones away! Performing a ‘ritual’ she urged the audience to enjoy the moment with their friends free from a phone screen, as the whole crowd jumped up and down in jubilant unison to Dog Days Are Over.
PHOTO: Florence and the Machine by Matt Eachus - The Manc Photographer
And Dave’s performance also produced some unforgettable moments, including guest appearances from none other than Kano, Central Cee and Tems, and an incredibly moving version of TheBoy Who Played The Harp, - the final track on his critically acclaimed album of the same name. The emotional spoken word track stunned the whole crowd into silence, moving some to tears with its eloquent and powerful delivery, a frank internal examination of the rappers own role in society, morality and legacy. The energy, empathy and enthusiasm he brought to his closing set earns him the award of best set of the weekend from me.
PHOTO: Dave by Andrew Timms
Kneecap also gave a bass thumping performance in new stage, The Gallery, leaving the tent chanting “H-O-O-D” from the front to the back in one of the most energetic performances I have ever witnessed at the festival to date.
PHOTO: Kneecap by Ruby Boland
The red draped and chandelier illuminated Ballroom played host to a whole roster of artists who have all developed an inescapable buzz around them in 2026, Bleech 9:3, Overpass, Basht. and Westside Cowboy to name just a few. Manchester DIY rockers Westside Cowboy had only just celebrated the release of their debut album mere days before playing the festival, but were met with an absolutely packed out tent, with the new decadent stage design really adding to the occasion.
PHOTO: Bleech 9:3 by Sam Mcmahon
The Canopy also played host to a whole range of emerging artists – essentially replacing the ‘Introducing’ stage we have become used to seeing at the festival. From the introspective indie idioms of The Guest List to the 90’s grunge inspired Untitled, the stage’s roster was full to the brim with brand new talent.
PHOTO: December 10 by Georgina Hurdsfield - Tiny Radio Photography
The stage had received some criticism, with some branding it ‘The Nepo Baby Stage’ for featuring the children of Dave Grohl, Liam Gallagher and David Beckham. And whilst that may be true for those three acts – Violet Grohl, Villanelle and Cruz Beckham- the rest of the stage’s programming was filled with up and coming acts from much less privileged backgrounds. I feel like there’s also an argument for those artists also bringing a much larger audience than usual to the stage, which can only be a good thing right? The stage was also covered and much larger than usual, which definitely worked in the emerging bands’ favour when the heavens opened, making it one of the busiest stages of the weekend.
PHOTO: LS23 by Matt Eachus - The Manc Photographer
It was a real shame that new stage The Warehouse remained closed for the weekend after large queues outside caused concerns about overcrowding. The boiler room style stage concept felt like a very innovative step forward for the festival – lets hope they can tweak the stage enough for it to safely return next year. Sets scheduled to take place on the Sunday were rescheduled onto the iconc LS23 stage – a stage usually reserved for after hours two stepping under it’s LED canopy - allowing dance and techno fans to still catch some of their favorite DJs.
Which begs the question, will we see more early evening/daytime sets at LS23 next year? It does seem like a waste to save one of the most well designed stages exclusively for use after dark. And organisers might also want to provide even more options for dance fans at next year’s festival, with the large crowds a testament to the genre’s ever growing popularity.
PHOTO: Skepta by Matt Eachus - The Manc Photographer
One thing that the festival definitely needs to be praised for though, is giving us more than just lip service on important issues. 2026 was a line up that actually made a statement. From continuing to platform artists who are staunch public supporters of the Free Palestine movement like Kneecap and Fontaines DC, to having a 50/50 gender split for the first time ever, as well as welcoming performers from a range of different backgrounds, Reading and Leeds is actively taking the reins and steering live music towards a fairer, more inclusive and more socially conscious future.
Line up aside though, what truly set Leeds 2026 apart from the festivals MANY previous iterations was the redesigned arena and the touches that make the event unique.
PHOTO: The Bramham Arms by Emily Marcovechio
From the mirrors stationed all around the arena for those all important group pics, to photo booths and even a temporary tattoo parlour (which yes I did try out – for research purposes ofc) this year the organisers have really made an effort to include spaces that enable fans to have new one-off experiences, something we are all looking for more and more from live events.
PHOTO: Temporary tattoos and ride tokens at the ready!
This year saw the debut of the Bramham Arms, offering pub vibes in the heart of the park, and the ‘Budweiser Beacon’ a free to enter platform that allowed festival goers a unique opportunity to watch the newly named main stage – The Grid- from above. Which on paper might sound like a bit of a gimmick but was actually a great new addition.
Then of course there’s the on-site Co-op with its own DJ – where else are you going to grab a meal deal whilst skanking away in the fruit isle?
PHOTO: The Gallery by Ruby Boland
The night life at Leeds also deserves an honourable mention, with the iconic LS23 and Piccadilly party always offering the perfect place to dance with your pals long after the headliners have finished.
Leaving the festival this year with life long memories and new ‘ink’ - which would thankfully rub off in 2-3 days (LS23 you will always have my heart, and my legs) - I couldn’t help but reflect on how far the festival has come. From an exclusively rock and metal festival in the early 90s, to what it is today Reading and Leeds really is ahead of the wave. When it comes to hand picking today and even tomorrow’s super stars, and creating special ‘remember when’ experiences that will live on in all of our memories (and group chats) for years to come, no other UK festival even compares.
PHOTO: DAVE by Emily Marcovecchio
BRING ON NEXT YEAR! Reading and Leeds will return on 26th- 29th August 2027.
Early Access tickets will be available at 10am on Friday 4th September and will be exclusive to email subscribers and app users with payment plans available.
Weekend and day tickets for both festivals will go on general sale at 10am Friday 11th September.
Head to https://www.leedsfestival.com/tickets for Leeds.
And https://www.readingfestival.com/tickets for Reading.
To see all of our festival content from Leeds and other festivals click here.