By Emily Harrison
Reading & Leeds: A mini guide
A leading light in the UK festival scene, Reading & Leeds is a magnet for new acts, huge headliners and left field artists. And with the annual rock festival only a week away, we thought we’d have a gander at some of the acts you should be checking out.
So whether you’re heading to the muddy sodden fields or catching up with the coverage on the box, keep your ears tuned to the artists and acts we think you should be looking out for this coming weekend.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
It goes without saying really, but the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a must see this weekend. With a music career spanning 33 years and countless classics from Californication and Can’t Stop to Suck My Kiss and Scar Tissue, RHCP are undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest bands. A bastion of alternative rock, there’s no one better to close out Saturday in Reading and sign off the Sunday in Leeds.
Boy Better Know
The epitome of UK grime, Boy Better Know have been on the scene for what seems like decades. With global success all over the world, from founder JME to Skepta, the collective have been making waves from the minute they stepped onto the stage. Truly unmissable, make sure to catch some of BBK’s set this Friday in Reading and the Saturday up in Leeds.
Lion Babe
We’ve reviewed Lion Babe before and for good reason. Packing a punch with slick disco beats and eclectic electronic mixes, the New York duo are a whirlwind of sultry tracks and unique visuals. Don’t miss the neo soul twosome when they take to the Reading & Leeds stages this Friday and Saturday.
Sara Pascoe
Not music we know, but still, Sara Pascoe is one of Britain’s best stand-up comedians. Whip smart and hilarious to boot, Pascoe will be chatting all about her new book Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body, a concoction of personal antidotes and illuminating insights into, well, the female body. So take a break from the music and head to the Alternative Stage for something a little different.
Strong Asian Mothers
Should we go any further? A band called Strong Asian Mothers, what more could you want? Raucous and evocative, the London trio are a blend of differing genres and musical styles. Comprising of friends Amer, Kalim and Josh, the bands latest EP Lynx Africa combines influences from pop to hip-hop and electronica and are a must listen this coming weekend.
Blossoms
You’ve probably heard Blossoms on the radio recently with their track Charlemagne making the rounds on the airwaves during the last few months. Coming as another export from the ever ready and willing Manchester music scene, the quartet build from the bygone indie era’s of the late 90s and mid 2000s whilst throwing in some 80s persuasions too. Check them out on the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage on Saturday and the following Sunday.
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The list of course, has to come to and end at some point. We could, in reality, just recommend almost everyone, and the guide is only that, but if you still want a few other acts to check out make sure to catch Foals, High Tyde, The 1975 and Lady Leshurr to name but a few.
