READING AND LEEDS 25’ WHO WE’RE WATCHING
This August Bank holiday, all eyes will be on Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park for this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival.
Returning on 21st-24th August, the 2025 edition is one of the UK’ most anticipated festival weekends, with Friday tickets for Reading selling out a month before the event. With new stages, new campsites and an era-defining lineup of headliners like Chappell Roan, Hozier, Bring Me The Horizon and Travis Scott, 2025 is set to be the festival's biggest year yet. Of course it wouldn’t be Reading and Leeds without an array of incredible emerging talent on the lineup, too, with Antony Szmierek, Snayx and Good Neighbours all set to perform over the weekend.
With over 150 acts performing across both festivals, there’s plenty to choose from for even the fussiest of festival goers.
We’ve compiled a list of our must see acts across the weekend, here’s our Reading and Leeds 25’ ‘Who We’re Watching’:
Amyl and The Sniffers
Fresh off the back of supporting the almighty Fontaines DC at their history making Finsbury Park show last month, on top of a much talked about set at Glastonbury Festival, Aussie punk pioneers Amyl and the Sniffers are a set you would be a fool to miss at R&L 2025.
Amy Taylor is sure to become one of our generation's most influential frontwomen, with lyrics that challenge the norms of traditional gender roles and societal politeness, with an ‘in your face’ attitude almost impossible not to admire.
Catch them on the Main Stage.
Leigh-Anne
Now this inclusion may come as a surprise from us, but after the success of her fellow Little Mix star Jade's solo career, which has featured packed out performances at Glastonbury and collaborations with dance pop legends Confidence Man, we’re excited to see what Leigh-Anne has to offer. 2025 is the year of the pop princess after all, and we’re here for it.
Her latest single, ‘Been a Minute’ is her first release as an independent artist after parting ways with Warner Records earlier this year. The perfect cocktail of Afro beats, pop, and R&B, the song is for want of a better phrase, an absolute BOP, with Pinnock herself coining it the ‘song of the summer’.
Leigh-Anne is sure to put on a performance to remember on The Chevron Stage.
Antony Szmierek
Of course we couldn’t leave out everyone’s favourite Mancunian wordsmith, Mr Stockport Pyramid himself, Antony Szmierek. If you’ve missed what this guy has been up to, you’ve quite frankly been hiding under a rock (and a calm place).
Earlier this year, his hotly anticipated debut album ‘Service Station at the End of the Universe’ reached number 1 in the Official Dance Album Charts, and number 68 overall, not a bad feat for an artist who launched his music career in 2021 whilst still working as a teacher.
Head down to the Festival Republic for guaranteed house party vibes, and a whole load of ‘Poems to Dance to’.
Chappell Roan
An incredible headline booking from Reading and Leeds festival this year; 2025 has BEEN Chappell Roan’s year. If her 2024 Coachella performance is anything to go by, expect drama, extravagant outfits and a whole load of sass.
Even the most staunch rock and metal-heads amongst us will struggle to resist belting out the chorus to certified banger, ‘Pink Pony Club’ at the top of their lungs when she takes to the Main Stage for this year’s headline slots.
Wallows
A band that have drawn a bigger and better crowd each time they return to the UK festival circuit, Los Angeles based Wallows are poised and ready to put on the show of their lives at R&L 2025.
The band released their EP ‘More’ earlier this year following the release of their critically acclaimed third studio album, Model In 2024. An EP that moves from electronica to dreampop to early 2000s-esque indie, ‘More’ displays the band’s versatility, cementing their place on our ‘Who We’re Watching’ list for this year’s festival. Make sure to head to the Main Stage to check them out.
Snayx
The fact that this band was formed ‘in a mosh pit’ tells you everything you need to know about Snayx. Pronounced ‘Snakes’ (we think) and consisting of Charlie Herridge, Ollie Horner and Lainey Loops, Snayx are one of the UK’s most exciting new punk outfits.
A band born out of a love for the live scene, it’s no surprise that Snayx live shows are raucous, rebellious and down right rapturous. After catching one of the band’s early shows at Manchester’s Castle Hotel 2022, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for the Festival Republic Stage.
Good Neighbours
After storm Lilian prevented them from performing at last year’s Leeds Festival, Good Neighbours have been at the top of our must watch list ever since. (Hopefully) returning to Bramham Park this year, Good Neighbours are sure to pull out all of the stops when they take to the Main Stage on Sunday, with the band also appearing at Reading on Saturday.
Despite only forming in 2024, Good Neighbours’ debut single ‘Home’ reached number 26 in the official UK charts after it picked up traction on TikTok. With their debut album dropping in late September, expect big things from this duo in 2025.
Bakar
Best known for his hit singles ‘Hell N Back’ and ‘Big Dreams’ – any Fifa fans are sure to recognise that one, Bakar’s talent for relatable, of-the-moment storytelling make him one of our favourite UK artists.
After taking some time out at the start of the year to record new music, Bakar is back and better than ever. Creatively invigorated, his new track Lonyo! released on Friday 8th August sees him explore a more dance and garage inspired sound.
Make sure to check out Bakar on the Main Stage.
Ready to curate your own line up? Download the Official Reading and Leeds Festival app for set times and information.
Visit www.readingandleedsfestival.com for tickets!
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