We’re officially one week out from gates opening at the 2025 edition of Reading and Leeds festivals. The legendary duo will return, as always, over the August Bank Holiday with hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers heading to Bramham Park and Little John’s Farm.
This year’s R+L will be headlined by some of the biggest names in global pop. Chappell Roan, Hozier, Bring Me The Horizon and Travis Scott are top of the poster, while sub-headliners include Bloc Party, AJ Tracey, Becky Hill and Trippie Redd.
Off to Reading and Leeds next week, but not sure who to see outside of the fests’ biggest names? The rest of the lineup is packed with people worth your ears. Headliners (and sub-headliners) aside, here are a few others not to miss at R+L 2025.
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5 great bands and performers to see at Reading and Leeds 2025
Jasmine.4.T
Bristol’s Jasmine.4.T (Jasmine Cruickshank) is simply an extraordinary songwriter. Her 2025 debut album You Are the Morning (which was produced by indie supergroup boygenius) is an excellent showcase of musical storytelling, in turns hopeful and devastating, and just as much about friendship and romance as it is about isolation.
Reading: Friday August 22, 2.40pm, Festival Republic Stage
Leeds: Saturday August 23, 2.15pm, Festival Republic Stage
Wench!
Hull punks Wench! boast heavy riffs, technical guitar work and commanding vocals, with a dash of pointed feminism and the odd guttural growl for good measure. Following the release of debut EP Relaxing Rain Sounds for Baby Sleep (and no, the content doesn’t quite match the title) earlier this summer, the three-piece will be playing R+L’s BBC Introducing stages.
Reading: Sunday August 24, 1.50pm, BBC Introducing Stage
Leeds: Friday August 22, 1.50pm, BBC Introducing Stage
Bartees Strange
Three albums into his solo career, the way Bartees Strange collapses genres into his own distinct sound is as fascinating as ever. He ambitiously absorbs indie rock, auto-tuned rap, wholehearted emo, light electronica and immaculate soul and more into his style, and his energetic live shows are always tonnes of fun.
Reading: Sunday August 24, 1pm, Festival Republic Stage
Leeds: Friday August 22, 3.05pm, Festival Republic Stage
Origami Angel
As Origami Angel, Ryland Heagy and Pat Doherty make passionate, tightly performed, yell-along-able pop-punk that is also introspective and optimistic. On record the duo err on the playful, technical side, but live they’re far heavier and more energetic. They make a surprisingly loud din for just two people.
Reading: Saturday August 23, 2.55pm, Festival Republic Stage
Leeds: Sunday August 24, 2.30pm, Festival Republic Stage
High Vis
No, High Vis aren’t really ‘underrated’ any more, after a huge summer of gigs across Europe (and they’re set for an even huger 2026, thanks to a support slot with Turnstile) – but even so, they’re not to be missed at R+L 2025. Veteran hardcore vocalist Graham Sayle fronts one of Britain’s most hyped bands right now, and a huge part of that is down to their live rep. In person Sayle whips up crowds into mayhem, while High Vis’ riffs are louder and the band’s Britpop(ish) choruses that bit more anthemic.
Reading: Friday August 22, 9.35pm, Festival Republic Stage
Leeds: Saturday August 23, 9.05pm, Festival Republic Stage
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