The main stage understandably takes most of the limelight at Reading and Leeds, but as it has become increasingly commercial over the years, it has left many music fans disillusioned. People have even been suggesting the famous rock-centred festival is now going the way of V Festival, with a small pool of high-profile acts on loop as perennial headliners.
However, thankfully the organisers at Reading and Leeds haven't neglected their roots, but have instead moved most of the less-established indie/rock/guitar bands (however you want to pigeon hole them) to the smaller stages. This is an unfortunate reflection of the tastes of the majority of people who go to the big summer festivals in the UK these days… but on the plus side it means you can still see some great new music on smaller stages with a more intimate crowd.
This preview deliberately avoids the main stage, and picks out some of the fantastic bands you can see in the tents across the three days of Reading & Leeds.
FRIDAY (Reading) / SATURDAY (Leeds)
Open your festival with some blues-tinted rock from BARNS COURTNEY (Festival Republic Stage, 12:00) with the hardcore few who get into the festival as soon as the gates open. Then head over to the newest stage on the site to see ANTEROS (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 12:40) who have now been touring their set for so long they are too slick to be on this early. This is a band who opened the enormous Other Stage at Glastonbury in 2016!
Our pick of the day is THE AMAZONS (Festival Republic Stage, 14:10) who are from Reading and are sure to pull a huge crowd in the tiniest tent on site. Over the last 12 months they have become a ferocious live band, and with a debut album under their belts now they have no shortage of material to fill out what could be the most memorable set of the weekend.
Next it's the chart friendly guitar-pop of DECLAN MCKENNA (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 15:20), another act making waves with a debut album out this year. For something completely different head over to catch THE SHIMMER BAND (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 18:05), who have really developed their live set since playing the BBC Introducing Stage here in 2016. Although yet to really break out, they are a band with some epic tunes under their belt, including the glorious 'Sunkick' which is destined to make it to the bigger stages in future years.
For those keen to avoid the chart friendly noise of Bastille on the main stage, the best place to be is the Festival Republic Stage for a great double header. THE DISTRICTS (Festival Republic Stage, 20:00) have been around for what seems like ages now, and have developed a unique raw, grungey sound to their set. Then it's a change of tack as JAGWAR MA (Festival Republic Stage, 20:50) make their Reading & Leeds return with a new album but the same bass-heavy, uplifting dance vibe as always.
There are rumours of a high profile secret set, and the Reading schedule suggests this may be at about 21:15 on the NME / Radio 1 Stage… as always keep checking social media to see if it's happening! Alternatively, check out ASYLUMS (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 21:40) for what is sure to be an entertaining, manic rock 'n roll show.
For those avoiding Kasabian, my choice of headliner is BEAR'S DEN (Festival Republic Stage, 22:00) who led some of the loudest sing-alongs of the year at Reading three years ago. Their newer stuff is slightly more melancholy than their debut so may not be great for a 'festival buzz' but their live show certainly provides a total contrast from tonight's main stage headliners.
SATURDAY (Reading) / SUNDAY (Leeds)
This is a day that will be spent entirely rushing between the smaller stages, because there are some fantastic bands on - all a safe distance from a very dubious main stage bill. Early picks include Reading band PALM HONEY (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 12:00) and PARIS YOUTH FOUNDATION (Festival Republic Stage, 12:45). The latter are a Liverpudlian five-piece who have a smooth guitar sound that sounds like it has been honed for years as opposed to the few months they have been touring. There is then an afternoon triple header on the same stage featuring SUPERFOOD (Festival Republic Stage, 14:25) – check out glorious recent single 'I Can't See' – ALL TVVINS (Festival Republic Stage, 15:15) and PUMAROSA (Festival Republic Stage, 16:05). Other afternoon bands worth checking out if you can are the powerful, almost soulful BANG BANG ROMEO (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 14:25) and the raucous garage rock of AVALANCHE PARTY (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 15:10).
However it is worth making the short walk between stages to catch INHEAVEN (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 13:35) who have been promoted from the Festival Republic Tent after a year of incessant touring. With Nirvana like guitar riffs and some glorious vocals they are on the point of breaking into the mainstream (well, as far as guitar bands can get into the mainstream these days, anyway). Then our pick of the day is unashamedly biased to another Reading band, SUNDARA KARMA (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 17:45). After opening the festival on the main stage last year, they now have a debut album out and should have no problem packing out the bigger tent with their unique but easily accessible sound.
After an early evening lull that has "extended beer break" written all over it, it's back to the small tent for another triple header. THE VIEW (Festival Republic Stage, 21:05) need no introduction, and if their 2016 Glastonbury set is anything to go by this will be packed full of the old favourites from debut album "Hats Off To The Buskers". They are followed by JAPANDROIDS(Festival Republic Stage, 21:55) who have slightly tempered their garage-rock sound with the delightful recent album "Near To The Wild Heart Of Life". And for those keen to avoid all things Eminem, stay put in the tent and catch headliners THE BLACK LIPS(Festival Repiblic Stage, 22:50), about as eclectic a band as you can get, who are sure to play a set spanning their nine-album, fifteen year career. Alternatively catch BABY STRANGE (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 23:05) whose 2016 album "Want It Need It" was one of the year's highlights.
SUNDAY (Reading) / FRIDAY (Leeds)
An early start can be difficult on the final day of a festival, but it's worth getting in early to see THE PALE WHITE (BBC Music Introducing Stage, 11:50). They may have been around for less than a year, but the potential is there to see in singles "Reaction" and "That Dress" that ooze confidence and ability. Three more reasons to avoid a Sunday lie-in come in the form of OUTLYA (Festival Republic Stage, 12:15), HIMALAYAS (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 12:45) and SAINT PHNX (Festival Republic Stage, 13:05). Even if you've never heard any of their music, all three bands put on a fantastic show and have songs that will stick around in your head for days to come.
A dreaded clash follows, so I'll feature both and leave you to make your mind up. SLOTFACE (The Lock Up Stage, 14:45) are a punky breath of fresh air who are getting rave reviews for their confident live show. Alternatively, OTHERKIN (Festival Republic Stage, 14:45) are a blast of three-minute grunge tunes that sound straight out of the early 90's Seattle sound. Whichever you choose, your next step should be to the NME stage to see how far a band can get from over two years of constant touring, demonstrated by THE SHERLOCKS (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 16:35). These boys haven't had a day off since early 2015 and deserve a big crowd at their biggest festival slot to date.
The real must see of the BBC's picks this year and our pick of the day is MOSA WILD (BBC Music Introducing Stage, 17:45). Still with only one released song to their name, they are raw and inexperienced, but the magnificent "Smoke" (seriously – listen to it now) screams big things to come. Brooding vocals reminiscent of The National, and a song that builds elegantly show that this band could be the real deal.
