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Charli XCX and Raye to headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2026

2025-12-01 19:00:16
Reading and Leeds is set to be Charli XCX's only UK festival performance next year

British stars Charli XCX, Dave and Raye will headline Reading and Leeds Festival next summer.

Irish rock band Fontaines DC, electronic duo Chase & Status and band Florence + The Machine will also top the bill at both events over the August bank holiday weekend.

It is the first time in 25 years the headliners at the sister festivals are exclusively British and Irish acts, organisers say.

Five-time Brit Award winner Charli XCX's appearances are her only UK festival shows currently scheduled for next year.

Raye first performed at Reading and Leeds Festival last year

Reading and Leeds bosses said the twin events would be the only UK festival appearances for all six headliners next year.

The West Yorkshire site will also feature a Thursday headline performance for the first time, with rock band Kasabian set to take to the stage.

Irish rap trio Kneecap, pop singer Jade and grime artist Skepta are also on the bill across the weekend, alongside US singers Sombr and Role Model.

Other artists confirmed include up-and-coming singer Skye Newman, Manchester-based DJ Josh Baker, Irish producer Kettama, US rock band Geese, Slovakian singer Adéla and rock band Keo.

Dutch DJ Chris Stussy will play Reading only, with more acts yet to be announced.

Dave has recently cemented his position as one of the biggest names in UK rap

Charli XCX has had an impressive couple of years which saw the infectious electro-pop tracks from her culture-shaping album Brat soar up the charts and inspire a trend.

While "brat summer" might be over, Reading and Leeds has said she will usher in a new era when she takes to the stage next summer.

She recently released her new track House, the first song from her upcoming album Wuthering Heights, which will soundtrack Emerald Fennel's highly anticipated adaptation due to be released next year.

Dave has recently cemented his position as one of the biggest names in UK rap after his third record, The Boy Who Played The Harp, shot to the top of the charts earlier this year.

Its success secured him the title of first British rap artist to debut three albums at number one in the UK's official chart.

Florence + The Machine, led by singer Florence Welch, also released their first album in three years on Halloween.

Florence told Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw on their podcast she chose the date as it is a "darker album" than she has made before which explores "life and death".

Florence + The Machine released their first album in three years on Halloween

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