This came after months of waiting, with Festival Republic deciding not to announce the headliners at a conventional time, around October, but instead leaving it to February. This leaves 7 months before the festival will begin.
The last few months have seen anxious festival go-ers clutching at straws, trying to find out who will be playing the festival. After a spontaneous and, probably unintended tweet from Liam Gallagher, the first headliner was announced. The ex-Oasis frontman would take to the main stage over August bank holiday:
However, the other two headliners, which I can now confirm are Stormzy and Rage Against The Machine, were announced this morning, after a tweet from Reading and Leeds:
I was somewhat pleased with this announcement. After previously voicing my love of Rage Against The Machine in another Courier article, the chance to see them live would be amazing. Alongside this, after Stormzy's emphatic performance at Glastonbury last year, to see him on the main stage at Leeds would be incredible.
However, not everyone had this outlook, with twitter users taking to the platform to voice their opinions:
Imagine waiting months for a lineup and getting this
@ndfrenchh
🙁
I haven’t bought a ticket and I want a refund
@kingash1000
Headliners excluded, taking a look at some of the bands that the festival has to offer, It’s clear they’re putting on a variety of acts ensured to please the majority of British music fans. Rap acts such as Migos and Headie One, Indie acts such as Rex Orange County and Sam Fender, and harder acts such as Idles and Slowthai are testament to the range of the festival.
Whilst some people will be underwhelmed by the line-up, the diversity of the weekend will ensure that no music lover would leave empty handed, with something for everyone.
Tickets go on sale 13/12, at 9AM.
I suppose, in the words of Liam Gallagher, there's only one thing left to say:
"Reading and Leeds: c'mon you know"