Reading and Leeds Festival Unveils Major Stage Overhaul
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Reading and Leeds Festival is unveiling what organisers say is the "biggest staging and arena overhaul" in its history this weekend. Changes include revamping major stages while introducing a campsite for over-21s for the first time. Festival Republic claims this will mark the festival's "next evolution".
BBC Newsbeat spoke with festival-goers and an artist to gauge whether the shake-up will attract a wider demographic, as some argue it has become known for attracting younger crowds, potentially alienating older music fans.
It’s also the first time in 25 years that all headliners at the sister festivals are exclusively British and Irish acts.
But others question if changes to stages dedicated to lesser-known acts will still offer opportunities for diverse up-and-coming artists.
"None of my friends wanted to go [this year] because of the fact that there's so many 16 to 18-year-olds," says Reggie Tanner, a 20-year-old who attended Reading Festival at 16 and 17. "They'd rather go to another festival where the demographic's a bit older."
Tanner is attending again this year mainly to see Charli XCX, one of six main stage headliners across the weekend, including rapper Dave, singer-songwriter Raye, Irish rock band Fontaines DC, electronic duo Chase & Status, and Florence + The Machine. He believes the diversity of the line-up and the introduction of a new campsite for over-21s will "entice a lot of people from different age groups".
BBC Newsbeat understands there’s been high demand for the new campsite and "The Oasis," a dedicated quiet zone introduced in previous years but rebranded in 2026. Tanner advises others worried about the festival's demographic to "just do it."
Sasha Baylors and Ciara Hornsey, both 19, feel the stereotype that Reading Festival attracts younger crowds is "fair" but they "don't think that's a bad thing." Hornsey states, "It’s very important to have places for young people to go to listen to music and discover new artists."
College student Zara Hawkins, 17, agrees attending feels like a rite of passage for teenagers in the UK. She is "really excited" for her first time at Leeds Festival. Hawkins feels the dual sites make Reading and Leeds one of the more accessible festivals for younger music fans, with day tickets available if they don’t want to camp out.