Kicking off bank holiday in style Reading and Leeds has long been one of the biggest festivals in UK. This year is no exception, with huge headliners gracing the stage across the entire weekend. We headed down to Leeds for the weekend and here’s what went down.
Friday
Early on in proceedings in an already busy arena, Sea Girls were the first band Bring The Noise managed to catch. Playing their recognisable indie sleaze sound, the audience at the main stage seem to be relishing some indie bangers to begin the bank holiday weekend. Stand out tracks include: Violet, All I Want To Hear You Say, Do You Really Wanna Know. A solid set from a cult indie band. 6/10
2025 at Leeds Festival doesn’t just bring some huge names to the bill but some new stages to go with it. Climate Live and Reload Stage make there very first appearances at the festival in 2025.. However, for now it’s the Main Stage we are glued to as indie songstress Suki Waterhouse has drawn a substantial crowd. In a full grey fur ensemble, oversized shades adorning her face and knee high boots, she is definitely not shy in coming forward. Her vocal dances over shimmering guitars and keys. She address the Leeds audience before beginning Blackout Drunk. Throwing giant beach balls into the audience, it’s clear Waterhouse is all about having fun at Leeds Festival this weekend. She mentions she was in attendance at Wembley for Oasis the other day and proceeds to delight the Leeds audience with a rendition of Don’t Look Back in Anger. A fun-fuelled enjoyable set with toe tapping tunes to dance along to. 6/10
Genre-bending four piece Amyl and The Sniffers continue to draw the crowds on the Main Stage in the Arena. Famed for their no nonsense live show. The audience here in the main arena are in for a powerful performance this afternoon. Bouncing onstage to Wild Child’s – Renegade Master, Amyl and The Sniffers are clearly not here to introduce themselves thundering straight into Security. The set continues to thunder along at an unrelenting pace with the rest of the holding fort whilst Amy Taylor bounces vigorously around the stage. Visibly sweating on this chilly day, Amyl and The Sniffers are putting every sinew of enthusiasm into the performance. A thunderously lively set by the entire band which gets the reaction it deserves from the afternoon crowd here at Leeds Festival. 8/10
Bringing bags full of hype with her to Leeds Festival this year Nieve Ella plays the Festival Republic stage for the very first time. The indie-pop songstress has amassed quite a following with her guitar-led songs. The crowd are in fine voice to experience this early evening set from Nieve Ella. The energy she puts into her songs on stage clearly resonates with the bustling crowd. Her voice comes across soft and melodic on The Things We Say. The band chemistry dynamic is energetic throughout the performance this evening. A confident, energetic and assured performance despite it being her first time playing Leeds Festival. Stand out tracks include; Sweet Nothings, Car Park, Good Grace. 6/10
Closing Friday night at Leeds Festival falls to none other then Travis Scott. Famed for a manic show, the Leeds crowd should be treated to a frantic set this evening. Commencing with pyrotechnics and fireworks and the unbelievable energy only Travis Scott can bring the show was already off to an intense start. Bouncing around stage from the very start, the crowd are screaming every lyric back to him. The enormous and intense energy that Scott emits through the set doesn’t subside and makes for one unifying experience between crowd and artist. Scott feeds off the crowds energy and almost incites the carnage that is present at the Main Stage this evening. A worthy headliner who puts on an exceptional show. No doubt the audience tonight will agree. And it brings the first evening of Leeds Festival to a fitting close. 9/10
Saturday
With rap royalty Travis Scott closing Friday night on the Main Stage. Brenham Park gears up for the second wave of acts playing the festival on Saturday. Headliners Hozier have the honour of closing the festival tonight.
The first act we are lucky enough to fix eyes on this afternoon are Liverpudlian alternative sextet Red Rum Club who are performing on the Main Stage. Commencing with English Morning, the funk-inspired rhythms are in full flow. The trumpet creates a another depth layered over the shimmering indie guitars. Opening the festival on Saturday the crowd are relatively small this early on. Despite this, Red Rum Club seem to be enjoying playing their infectious indie tunes. During the short twenty-five minute set Red Rum Club packed in as many songs as possible. Promoting their forthcoming album Book out in September, they launch whole heartedly into the lively number. A set full of joyful indie tunes, to wake up the most hungover of festival goers this afternoon. Stand Out Tracks: Would You Rather Be Lonely, Vanilla, Book. 6/10
It it no surprise to find a substantial crowd already in attendance for the arrival of indie sensations Bloc Party. Silent Alarm’s So Here We Are kicks proceedings off. Lead vocalist Kele Okereke vocals are perfect. He addresses the crowd in the calm and measured manner he always has done over the years “Hello, Leeds we are Bloc Party from London, England, and we’re going to have some fun, ok?”. As veterans of the indie scene it is no surprise that every song that passes is note perfect. The catchy influences that made Bloc Party a household name very much remain on the more recent offerings. A set packed with all the hits, delivered with a calm and measured confidence only a band with Bloc Party’s credentials could execute. Stand Out Tracks: So Here We Are, Like Eating Glass, Flux. 8/10
We reluctantly pulled ourselves away from the Main Stage to see what was happening elsewhere in the arena. A surprisingly large crowd are present in the Festival Republic tent.. The band gracing it were going all out to impress the substantial crowd who had arrived at the tent this afternoon. The band gracing it were a punk rock trio hailing from the South East of England called SNAYX. The first thing to note was the boundless charisma and energy from the front man, Charlie Herridge, bounding left to right in full Adidas clobber. He wildly spits the lyrics of the opening number with venom. The energy of the crowd mirrors the bands output onstage. The pit doesn’t take long to commence during Strut, and continues to expand at the request of the lead vocalist. A catalogue of aggressive, pulsating and in-your-face songs that the audience whole heartedly loved from the beginning. A performance full of the up most energy, passion which both band and audience loved. Stand out tracks: Boys in Blue, Work, Sink or Swim. 7/10
Drawing a substantial crowd on this now beaming day at Brenham Park, The Kooks take to the stage. Getting underway with Sofa Song, the crowd are already in fine voice. The set continues with sing-along anthem Ooh La with Luke Pritchard’s distinctive vocal delivery that has made The Kooks so popular over the years. Still holding on to their original indie-sleaze style, skinny jeans and Chelsea boots. The famous hits keep coming thick and fast as the crowd roar when the introduction of She Moves in Her Own Way is announced. From The Kooks’ inception in the early 2000’s, Luke Pritchard’s voice has stayed instantly recognisable, today at Leeds Festival is no exception with an assured vocal performance throughout the set. Bad Habit from the 2016 album Listen is well received by the Main Stage audience. It proves despite line up changes and various troubles along the way that The Kooks have the talent and songs to draw a substantial audience at one of the UK’s biggest festivals. Stand out tracks: She Moves In Her Own Way, Naïve, Ooh La. 7/10
We hot footed to The Chevron Stage to see possibly one of the biggest drum and bass acts in the UK, Rudimental. The set begins at furious pace, with thunderous bass shaking rhythms. and an amazing remix of John Newman’s Not Giving In. The crowd are bouncing from the very first song. Fading seamlessly into a mix of Florence and The Machine Say My Name, the only adds to the electric vibe at the Chevron Stage this evening. Coupled with the intense strobe lighting over the cover of darkness makes for an impressive show. It is obvious by the substantial crowd in attendance and the production quality of the set to see why Rudimental are one of the best drum and bass acts in the UK right now. 8/10
Headlining and closing Leeds Festival on Saturday evening falls to Hozier on the main stage. Screams are heard all around the area to signal the arrival of tonight’s headliner. Strolling on stage with a slight wave and his long licks flowing he begins the first number. The Irish rocker addresses the crowd for the first time. “Leeds it’s so fucking good to see you. Are you feeling good?” which was greeted with a huge cheer. Before launching into Jackie and Wilson. Hozier’s talent as a musician is obvious and it’s clear how he is headlining one of the biggest festivals this evening. He mentions it is his first time headlining Reading and Leeds Festival and what an absolute honour it is to be here. It is humbling to hear an artist of such magnitude be so grateful for the opportunities that are placed in front of them. What strikes us is the raw power in Hozier’s vocals, a mention also has to go to the incredible set design and graphics, they are mesmerising at times. He then begins the utterly beautiful ballad Cherry Wine while stood amongst the Leeds Festival crowd. A beautiful moment during the performance. Hozier flicks between slower ballad’s and rockier ensembles during tonight’s headline performance and he does so with such vocal ease. A true talent and one that is well worthy of a first headline performance at Reading and Leeds Festival. A fitting way to bring the curtain down on the second day at Leeds Festival. Stand out tracks: Someone New, Cherry Wine, Take Me To Church. 9/10
Sunday
And so, one of the biggest festivals on the planet comes to a close this evening. An intense, wild and mesmerising weekend of music has been experienced. Some of the best acts from around the world have come together to give a Reading and Leeds Festival audience the best bank holiday weekend they could have hoped for. Having the privilege of closing Leeds Festival on Sunday evening is none other than monster metallers Bring Me The Horizon.
Nonetheless, it isn’t quite time to say goodbye just yet. We find ourselves at the Main Stage to experience indie-pop duo Good Neighbours mid-afternoon set. The first thing to note is the change is personnel at Brenham Park today, swathes of festival goers head-to-toe in black and heavily tattooed line the main arena today. In stark contrast to the past two days. Good Neighbours bring bags full of joy to the main stage this afternoon. Inspired by the likes of MGMT and Empire of The Sun, their sound is one of toe-tapping feel-good indie. The crowd are only happy to be involved in the joyous indie rhythms being shared with them. Released earlier in the year, Good Neighbours introduce Ripples, which gets the crowd suitably warmed up with shuffling drums and jangling guitars, topped off with lead vocalists falsetto over the top. The energy Good Neighbours process would challenge anyone not to dance to their music. A enjoyable enthusiastic set from the London indie-pop duo. Stand out tracks: Home, Ripples, Daisies. 6/10
We find ourselves remaining at the Main Stage to experience Australian indie duo Royel Otis. Since their inception in 2019, Royel Otis have soared in popularity due to the viral hits Oysters In My Pocket and Linger. The band can be seen enjoying the entire experience of playing at Leeds Festival from the very first song. The indie-electro sound that has made them so popular is present throughout many of the songs played here at Leeds Festival. The large crowd present on the Main Stage are enjoying the Australian outfits performance. Finishing with the viral hit Oysters In My Pocket, it has been a performance full of sing-along anthems, energy and confidence from the very beginning. Stand out tracks: Oysters In My Pocket, Linger, Car. 7/10
Peeling away from the Main Stage and walking at pace to the Chevron Stage, which has primarily hosted rap and dance acts for the duration of the weekend. However, it is home for short time to Manchester-based rock band Pale Waves. Fusing a melting pot of genres, it should be an intriguing performance from Pale Waves at Leeds Festival. A substantial crowd is now in attendance to hear Heather Baron-Gracie’s strong and playful vocal tones. Pale Waves songs are undeniably catchy however with an undercurrent of sadness in the lyrical content. A nod is given to Baron-Gracie’s love for The Cranberries with an exceptional cover of Zombie. One that we’re sure would make Dolores O’Riordan proud. A slight change in genre occurs mid-set with Pale Waves shifting to synth-inspired pop. Baron-Gracie then addresses the audience at The Chevron Stage “Are there any queer people out there? This will always be your song”, which evokes a chorus of cheers before Pale Waves play She’s My Religion. A playful set full of catchy songs, a marriage proposal (she said yes!), exceptional covers and assured vocal performances. Stand out tracks: She’s My Religion, Eighteen, Jealousy. 6/10
We find ourselves back at the Main Stage for St Alban’s rockers Enter Shikari. Having played Wembley Arena earlier this year, Enter Shikari should have no problems with a festival of this magnitude. Famed for their furiously frantic live shows the Leeds Festival audience will be in for a rollercoaster ride during this set. From the first glimpse of Rou Reynolds he is bouncing uncontrollably around the stage and it doesn’t take long for this energy to filter into the Leeds Festival crowd. Thundering through tracks as only Shikari know how Reynolds just about musters a hello to the energised Leeds audience. Reynolds plays with the crowd in between tracks testing the vocal ability of the audience before diving wholeheartedly into Anaesthetist. Taking the energy to extremes Reynolds is now in the crowd with the mic stand meanwhile holding note perfect vocals. The vocal talents on display here are impressive. Ranging from falsetto, to gut wrenching screams, to faint whispers throughout the energy sapping performance. The pit at the front continues to become more expansion and frantic with every passing song. The denim shirt Rou has been draped in all evening is frantically flung around his head and launched into the air; creating more wild euphoria amid the already hyped audience. Shikari then thunder into Juggernauts. This once again re-ignites the ferocious circle pit. Shikari take a brief break to mention the conflict in Gaza and preach solidarity from all sides. Before starting perhaps one of their best known songs, Sorry You’re Not A Winner. Reynolds acknowledges how life changing the song was for Enter Shikari all those years ago. Ending a pulsating performance from start to finish, Shikari bow out to Leeds Festival with A Kiss For The Whole World. A truly energy sapping performance for band and audience alike. One that Enter Shikari should be proud of. Stand out tracks: Juggernauts, Sorry You’re Not A Winner, Anaesthetist. 10/10
Bring The Noise are staying firmly put on the main stage for the arrival of Nu-Metallers Limp Bizkit. Fred Durst and co found fame back in the millennium with Chocolate Starfish and Hotdog Flavoured Water. Tonight the excitement is at fever pitch for Limp Bizkit to grace the main stage at Leeds Festival. Entering onto the main stage to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama, Durst opts for a pink baseball cap, to accompany his now rugged beard. Guitarist Wes Borland, who has always been known for outrageous outfits, comes in full costume with a mask. Durst sounds like he hasn’t aged since the 90’s, with note perfect vocals thus far. Leeds Festival is soon instructed to get bouncing before the band launch into Hot Dog. The nostalgia at the main stage this evening is almost palpable. Break Stuff gets the place bouncing and the already ferocious pit expanding even further. You can see the pent up energy in Fred Durst’s almost manic eyes. Chants of ‘Yorkshire’ ring around the arena, to which Durst tells them all to “calm down” before thundering into My Generation. Clearly Limp Bizkit know what the Leeds Festival crowd want this evening as they keep the classics coming. My Way continues to feed an already energised crowd and Durst still sounds exceptional given he is now approaching middle age. Rollin’, Nookie and a cover of George Michael’s – Faith get the incredible reactions they deserve. A epic performance full of nostalgia for many here at Leeds Festival. Stand out tracks: Rollin, Hot Dog, My Way. 10/10
The finale tonight falls to Bring Me The Horizon on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival. Playing Sunday night and closing the festival is the ultimate honour. What better band to headline then Bring Me The Horizon who have evolved over the years into one of metals best bands. They have even crossed boundaries in recent years with an Ed Sheeran collaboration on Bad Habits. However, we’re sure this evening will be solely focused on their finest work and expanding the pit as far as humanly possible. Bring Me The Horizon need no introductions. Thundering straight into Darkside, the Leeds Festival crowd immediately get involved by commencing the pit. Being a stones throw away in Sheffield, it is evident that Bring Me The Horizon feel at home here. Sykes roars down the mic with every ounce of passion he has. He demands the largest pit of the night from the already psyched up crowd. The crowd gladly oblige during Happy Song. It’s clear how Bring Me The Horizon have become such a force seeing Sykes control an enormous crowd here at Leeds Festival. The pyrotechnics are in full flow and if it’s not sweat you can feel, you can feel the intense heat from the flames on stage. Bring Me The Horizon continue to use every sinew of energy to feed the waiting crowd, who by now have amassed into a huge circle pit. The furious energy continues throughout the set, and Follow You, Kingslayer and Can You Feel My Heart receive the only reactions fit for such anthemic songs. A epic cover of Oasis – Wonderwall has to be mentioned, or as Sykes puts it “We’re going to pay a tribute to some more legends here”, before launching into the Oasis number. Can You Feel My Heart brings a thoroughly thrilling spectacle to a close. An unbelievable set by one of metal’s finest bands and a deserving headline slot to bring the curtain down on Leeds Festival for another year. Stand out tracks: Follow You, Happy Song, Can You Feel My Heart. 10/10
Written by: Ben Gilligan
