Photo: Brian Robinson

The one and only Reading and Leeds Festival is finally upon us! While the big names on the bill grab most of the attention, there are always a few hidden gems that you might miss if you don’t look closely. Here are our 5 must-see acts across the weekend!

Festival season is coming to close but as always Reading & Leeds Festival is here to provide the appropriate send-off with a weekend filled to the brim with some of the biggest and best artists in the music scene taking to the fields of Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park. With the likes of Blink-182, Gerry Cinnamon, Lana Del Rey, Fred Again…, Catfish & The Bottlemen and Liam Gallagher. But we’re here to shed some light on some of the smaller acts on this year’s bill that are sure to provide an unforgettable show at this years epic rendition.

FROZEMODE

We caught FROZEMODE earlier this year at Download Festival and holy hell what a set! The alternative rap trio from London, made up of IV Gatlin, Cho-Hollo, and Lisong debuted in late 2022 and quickly proved themselves a force to be reckoned with. We first caught onto the trio through their collab with NOISY and since the band has continued to make their mark on the scene with their insane live shows and sound that blends elements of hip-hop and punk.

Make sure to catch them on the Radio 1 Tent on Friday (Reading) & Sunday (Leeds).

LAMBRINI GIRLS

A fully female punk band, need I say anymore? Lambrini Girls represents a growing movement within the music industry that highlights female voices and experiences, challenging the male-dominated punk scene and creating an empowering atmosphere for fans of all genres. Often tackling contemporary societal themes, using humor and satire to address issues like gender norms and expectations, their music is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Lambrini Girls foster a real sense of community among their fans, making their set at Reading & Leeds Festival not only a blast but also an opportunity to support and celebrate diversity within the music scene.

Catch them on the Festival Republic Stage on Friday (Reading) & Sunday (Leeds)

DESTROY BOYS

Offering a punk experience that has been captivating audiences since their formation in 2015, Destroy Boys are a must see this weekend. The California-based band has been steadily gaining momentum in the punk scene, with their latest album, ‘Funeral Soundtrack #4,‘ showcasing their continued growth, solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting up-and-coming punk acts. Destroy Boys are sure to deliver a set that will be one to remember!

Destroy Boys play the Festival Republic Stage on Sunday (Reading) and Friday (Leeds)

DEAD PONY

If you managed to catch their set at 2000 Trees Festival then you know why we’re so pumped for the Glasgow crew to be joining us this weekend. Inciting mosh pits and kicking off some heavy riffs their resilience and delivery on the stage is unrivaled and it is a sure-fire way to kick off the dust on those boots and get stuck into a bloody good time!

Jump into their set on the Festival Republic Stage on Saturday (Reading) and Sunday (Leeds).

Confidence Man

Australia’s buzziest pop duo. We just can’t get enough of these two who are known for providing a poppy, unpredictable and seriously fun set. We caught them at this year’s Boardmasters and found their set to be a slightly more unhinged Eurovision act in the best way possible, you couldn’t keep your eyes off either of them. The chemistry on stage was very clear from the slickly choreographed moves and even an on stage-fight, complete with fake blood and all. If that doesn’t sound like a good time then we don’t know what happens!

Catch the aussie duo on the BBC Radio 1 Stage on Friday (Reading) and Sunday (Leeds).