Reading & Leeds Festivals return on Friday, August 23 – Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds. The biggest dual-site festivals in Britain are set to be bigger and better than ever, with additional stages, an updated new look, and of course the all-important line-up. The festivals will remain the best choice for music lovers and in 2013 will boast more genres of music than ever before.
Tickets went on sale Friday 30th November. 2012 prices and prizes until the end of December.
Festival boss Melvin Benn has been planning these exciting changes and additions to the festivals over the past year, refining and expanding their proposition for the fans:
“This is a dynamic time for the festivals. Not only do we have a fresh look for next year, but we are also adding to the fans’ experience of the festival with the introduction of more stages and genres of music, which also inevitably means an increase in the number of artists playing across the weekend.
“The addition of the hip-hop stage and the extension of the dance line-up to a three day stage – whilst not losing the essence of what Reading & Leeds Festivals are about across the existing Main, NME/Radio 1, Festival Republic and Lock Up Stages – are the things that really excite me. The Reading & Leeds festival goers listen to a diverse range of music and with the likes of BBC Radio 1 offering specialist shows focused on rock and dance and BBC Radio 1Xtra – now a station in its own right – this broad spectrum of musical genres reflects what the fans are into and what Reading & Leeds represents.
“I’m really thrilled about the additions we have planned and I’m committed to ensuring Reading & Leeds remain the highlight of the festival season for many years to come.”
Whet your appetite with the first acts announced across the Main, NME/Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Dance and all new BBC Radio 1Xtra stages, some exciting changes to the festival sites, plus ticket details and the limited period £50 deposit scheme.
The first names are confirmed across the festivals:
The first announcement from the 2013 Main Stage line-up is iconic alternative rock band Deftones who will be celebrating their 25th birthday on the Reading & Leeds Main Stages. The band are legendary figures in west-coast rock ‘n’ roll and have sold over four million records worldwide. Today, they are cited as an inspiration by everyone from Muse to Biffy Clyro. The way their sound has evolved from 90’s metal to expansive noise rock has put them in a league of their own, but expect to hear plenty from their seven-album career including material from their critically acclaimed new record ‘Koi No Yokan’.
Deftones commented:
“We are thrilled to be returning to reading and Leeds. In previous years it’s always been a highlight for us and we are honoured to have been invited back.”
With the first wave of artists revealed across the festival, Reading & Leeds Festival 2013 are already shaping up to be one amazing weekend, with much more still to come across the Main, NME/Radio 1, Festival Republic, Alternative, Lock Up, BBC Radio 1 Dance, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing Stages.
The festivals have always been synonymous with incredible headliners, but they are also an important platform for emerging and future stars. Many festival fans will recall The Arctic Monkeys playing their first gigs to packed crowds on a small stage back in 2006, Bombay Bicycle Club’s midday crowd surfing in 2008 or The xx’s stunning first appearance to a few hundred fans in 2009.
Since their inception, the festivals have played host to a number of now legendary performances including Nirvana’s appearance in 1992 and Them Crooked Vultures’ surprise set in 2009. Even as far back as 1972, The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood played a show with The Faces at Reading, his first ever festival appearance of any note. Proof, if needed, that the festivals really are the stuff of music legend.
Redesigned Reading & Leeds: Improved layout and more bands than ever
With a rich history spanning over four decades, Reading Festival and its younger sister event Leeds Festival remain the pinnacle of the festival calendar. Whilst Festival Republic is immensely proud of this heritage, this year sees a number of improvements in order to ensure that Reading & Leeds retain their position at the forefront of UK festivals.
With even more stages on offer, the line-up in 2013 is expected to increase by at least 25% in comparison to previous years, giving festival goers even more music for their money. With the first names just announced, fans now have a taste of what’s to come but there will be much, much more to follow.
In addition to the bigger line-up, both Reading & Leeds will benefit from changes to the existing festival layout. At Reading the arena will be expanded by approximately a quarter and a second arena entrance will be created to ensure easier access for festival goers. At Leeds the site will be altered slightly so that fans will be able to explore the woods for late night entertainment, with details yet to be announced, so stay tuned for further updates. And finally at both sites, new seating areas will allow festival goers to take time out to eat in between catching their favourite bands.
As well as these developments to the events, the new look artwork unveiled on the Main Stages in 2012 will be rolled out across the whole of the festivals, so Reading & Leeds ticket holders can expect an even brighter weekend.
Feeling Festive? Grab your tickets in December at 2012 prices for a chance to win big Weekend tickets, early entry permits, campervan permits and lockers all go on sale at 9am on Friday 30th November and will be available from Reading Festival , Leeds Festival and See tickets. For a full list of authorised ticket outlets please visit the official festival websites.
For the December presale only, 2013 tickets are frozen at 2012 prices, plus applicable booking fees:
Weekend tickets £197.50
Early entry permits £15.00
Campervan permits £60.00
Lockers £15.00
Fans thinking of getting a ticket for 2013 should move fast. By snapping up tickets now, festival goers can guarantee their place at the festival and get involved in the countdown to the August bank holiday weekend 2013. Buying a full price ticket at the current 2012 price means ticket holders will be eligible for entry into a mega prize draw to reward loyal fans. Buy full-price tickets now for your chance to win across both festivals:
2 x VIP packages, which include the chance to watch a band from the side of the Main Stage and five cases of Tuborg.
4 x Backstage tours, plus a Spotify premium account for three months and a Reading & Leeds T-Shirt.
10 x Backstage tours.
20 x Reading & Leeds merchandise bundles.
Don’t have all the money right now? Secure your ticket for just £50.
Guaranteeing a place at the music event of the summer can now be done without breaking the bank before the Christmas shopping is finished. Festival Republic have introduced a new deposit scheme especially for the 2013 presale, meaning fans only have to pay a one-off amount of £50 before 31st December 2012 in order to secure a weekend ticket at 2012 prices. The remainder of the balance, plus applicable booking fees, is payable in one sum by March 31st 2013.
For full ticket terms and conditions please visit the official festival websites.
For the latest line-up announcements, festival news and to buy tickets, please visit www.readingfestival.com, www.leedsfestival.com
Reading & Leeds Best of 2012 Video:
