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Pepsi MAX Presents Reading & Leeds 2026: Six Huge Headliners Announced + First Ever Thursday Main Stage at Leeds

Published

December 2, 2025

Reading & Leeds just dropped a monster announcement for 2026, and it’s a historic one. Reading & Leeds Festival has revealed six massive headliners, all British and Irish, marking the first fully homegrown headline lineup in 25 years.

And for the first time ever, Leeds Festival is opening its Main Stage on Thursday with Kasabian.

Hitting the Main Stage next August Bank Holiday weekend are:

Charli XCX

Charli continues her chokehold on pop culture. From BRAT domination to redefining the alt-pop landscape, she’s stepping into 2026 with her only UK festival appearance of the year at Reading & Leeds.

Dave

Fresh off the #1 album The Boy Who Played the Harp, Dave continues to prove why he’s one of the most important British rappers of this generation. His R&L headline slot will be his only UK festival performance of 2026.

RAYE

RAYE’s trajectory is nothing short of historic. Eight UK Top 20 singles, five billion streams, and a record-breaking night at the BRIT’s. Her exclusive 2026 headline set is about to be a moment.

Fontaines D.C.

The Irish post-punk icons continue their meteoric rise. 2026 marks their first R&L headline performance and their only UK festival appearance.

Chase & Status

UK dance legends Chase & Status are levelling up. After years of shaping jungle, drum and bass and rave culture, they’re headlining Reading & Leeds for the first time, and this will be their only live show of 2026.

Florence + The Machine

Florence is back. With her anticipated new album Everybody Scream, she returns to Reading & Leeds for the first time in 14 years — and once again, it’s her only UK festival show of the year.

Also Announced:

Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, Jade, Josh Baker, Kneecap, Kettama, Chris Stussy (Reading only), Geese, Skye Newman, Adéla and Keo.

Reading & Leeds 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important editions of the festival in years with historic headliners, exclusive performances, and a genuine celebration of UK and Irish talent.