Once again, the August Bank Holiday brought tens of thousands to Reading for one of the UK’s most famous festivals, and this year’s edition could be one of the most eclectic in recent memory. Over three days, Reading Festival 2025 served up a unique combination of generational breakouts, nostalgic reunions, and experimental performances that made us all think about why this continues to be a rite of passage for music fans.

The Rise of Chappell Roan

If there was one artist who defined this year, it was Chappell Roan. Dressed like a gothic burlesque villainess, her Saturday night set on the Main Stage felt less like a performance and more like a coronation. Tracks such as “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and “Femininomenon” had the crowd roaring in unison, while her finale of “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club” turned the field into a euphoric mass sing-along.

It wasn’t just the music — it was the sheer theatricality. Towering castle-like staging, dancers in vampiric costumes, and a confidence that suggested she’s not only pop’s brightest rising star but also a future headliner. Many left convinced the festival had its next Glastonbury-sized icon.

Hozier and the Art of Intimacy

Where Roan and BMTH went big, Hozier turned inward. His Saturday evening slot brought an almost spiritual calm to the site. Songs such as “Take Me to Church” and “Eat Your Young” had a haunting resonance, reminding us all that sometimes the best sets at a festival are the ones that silence a crowd into reverence rather than stirring them into frenzy.
While playing at Reading, Hozier stopped his music and brought a powerful perspective. In front of a sold-out crowd, he spoke candidly about Gaza, calling for “a meaningful political solution” instead of what he called “lip service”. They were political words, but more importantly, they were words of compassion.

He praised artists to are ready to tell the truth, reminding the audience that free speech and honesty in music is what makes festivals like Reading worthwhile.

The Irish singer urged unity, stressing that what people ultimately want is harmony:

“People want their neighbours to live in peace and safety. They don’t want anyone — Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, whoever they are — to live in fear of hatred, racism, antisemitism or Islamophobia. What people want is respect, dignity… and peace.”
He concluded by stating that true safety and security means “seeing a Palestine that’s free from occupation and ‘free to move towards meaningful self-determination and statehood.”

The audience responded with cheers, which echoed back to him, and the field was transformed into something more than just a concert — into a place of common ground for compassion.

But despite the power of his message, the BBC hasn’t shown any of Hozier’s performance — much to the dissatisfaction of many of his fans who took to social media. One mom even posted that her daughter was looking forward to seeing the show online and was disappointed when nothing was shown.

And finally, when it sunk in for him, the audience gave him what he deserved — a raucous round of applause that rang across the field in this moment of Reading Festival history.

Bring Me the Horizon: A Cinematic Headline

On Saturday, Bring Me the Horizon proved why they’re one of Britain’s most inventive heavy bands. Their headline set fused metalcore ferocity with video-game inspired visuals and a sci-fi storyline that played out on massive LED screens.
Circle pits exploded during “Happy Song” and “Shadow Moses”, while the surprise of the night came with an emotional cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, sung by tens of thousands under the Berkshire sky. With pyrotechnics, confetti, and even a political edge as Palestinian flags were waved on stage, BMTH’s performance was both spectacular and poignant — the kind of show Reading headlines are made of.

Nostalgia and Chaos: Limp Bizkit Bring the Party

For many, the most raucous moment of the weekend came courtesy of Limp Bizkit. Fred Durst and Wes Borland rolled back the years with nu-metal anthems “Nookie” and “Break Stuff”, turning the pit into pure mayhem. Their cheeky mix of covers — from Metallica to George Michael — kept fans guessing, while the communal scream of “Behind Blue Eyes” created an unlikely moment of tenderness amid the chaos.

Travis Scott Wraps Up Reading Sunday with Earth Shattering Performance

Travis Scott transformed Reading into his own planet. As soon as he burst onto the Main Stage, the energy was insane — pyro, lasers and a tidal wave of bass to shake the field. Each beat hit like tectonic plates shifting as he raced through “Sicko Mode“, “Goosebumps” and selections from Utopia with the audience bouncing like it was a human wave and mosh pits popping up across the field as if fireworks had been popped off like firecrackers. What made it emotional was the connectedness: thousands of voices screaming every word back at him, strangers on strangers’ shoulders, arms flung to the sky, swept up in his world. For one hour Reading wasn’t a festival site — it was Astroworld reincarnated with Scott’s genius as its ringleader.

Rising Stars and Surprises

Aside from the headliners, Reading 2025 upheld its tradition of breaking new talent, as Wunderhorse moved up from last year’s BBC Introducing Stage to commandeering the Chevron Stage with grunge-sounding rock that was both raw and ageless.
Bloc Party brought some early 2000s nostalgia to their loyal fans, as well as some new material, reminding everyone just why they are indie legends.

Caity Baser pulled off a packed secret set moments later, which mushroomed over social media, while Wallows managed to shake off technical gremlins to win over a packed crowd.

A Festival of Contrasts

For many years Reading Festival 2025 will be remembered for the weekend’s many contrasts — pop theatre and metal mayhem, an unbridled nostalgia coexisting with genuine rising talent, and sublime moments amid uncontrollable chaos. One moment punters were focused on a Lim Bizkit pit, only to be quieted with Hozier’s stunningly soulful voice, before throwing glitter at Chappell Roan’s pop fairytale; and before we knew it was Sunday night, Travis Scott had made the site his universe, an explosive conclusion that shook our soles! Weekend 2025 was so diverse that it showed Reading giganted in this variety, where the origin of a fan’s moment made their subsequent moment possible; and just as the weekend where unpredictability became unforgettable.

When the last firework pops in Sunday night, it is very clear that Reading Festival is not just keeping up with changing times, it is leading the charge on what new festivals can be.

In just a few days, the town of Reading will transform into the epicentre of one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. Music lovers from all corners will flock to Reading to experience a festival with a legacy stretching back over three decades. This year, artists such as Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me the Horizon, Limp Bizkit, Travis Scott, and D-Block Europe, among many others, will light up the Reading Festival stages. If you’re planning to attend this iconic event for the first time, you’re in for a treat. This article is packed with essential tips for navigating Reading Festival 2025 — so jump right in.

The Reading Festival has become an annual tradition, drawing crowds of music enthusiasts year after year, no matter the weather. Festival-goers have braved rain, endured sweltering heat, and embraced the mud, learning the art of packing smartly. You’ll want to bring two sets of clothing, prioritising shorts and T-shirts, but it’s always wise to pack some rain gear — British weather can be unpredictable. As of today, no rain is forecast and the outlook is very pleasant, but everything can change in a heartbeat. A quality sleeping bag is a must, and remember to pack light — dragging a heavy bag while hunting for the perfect camping spot is far from fun.

Towels are essential; one can dry you off on rainy days, while the other provides a cool respite when soaked in cold water during hot spells. Wet wipes are invaluable for reasons you’ll soon discover. Sunscreen is crucial for Friday and Sunday to avoid painful sunburns that could ruin your festival experience. If you enjoy a beer (and who doesn’t?), consider bringing your own to avoid the high prices at the festival. Other must-haves include a hat for sun protection, plenty of water to stay hydrated, sunglasses, glow sticks, and a waterproof hoodie for unexpected downpours.

Selecting the right tent is key to a successful Reading Festival adventure. Choose one that stands out so you can easily find it amidst the sea of tents. Otherwise, you might find yourself awkwardly entering the wrong one more than once. Avoid pitching your tent near hedgerows or main pathways, as these areas can be problematic. The ideal spot is near a tree and close to the arena where the bands play. Finally, don’t forget to make new friends, wear your trendiest jeans, and embrace the festival atmosphere with confidence!

And most importantly, don’t miss the First Timer’s Guide from Reading Festival—it’s an essential read for newcomers.

Kicking off in less than a month, Rockstar Energy presents Reading Festival 2025 is set to define the sound, energy, and spirit of the year. With Friday day tickets for Reading now sold-out, the UK’s most anticipated festival weekend (21st–24th August) continues to raise the bar, with an era-defining lineup led by headliners Chappell Roan, Hozier, Bring Me The Horizon and Travis Scott, and is packed with boundary-breaking newcomers, underground cult heroes and next-gen icons. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, Reading & Leeds remains the future-facing, culture-shaping moment in the UK festival calendar—where memories are made, legends are born, and music history is written in real time.

The initial running order for the eagerly anticipated bank holiday weekend has been revealed, with over 150 acts set to perform across both sites. Stage times are now available within the official Reading & Leeds app on both iOS and Android devices. The app is the best place to create personalised schedules, design your own Reading & Leeds poster, check maps and info, plus stay up to date with the latest from across the weekend.

The 2025 edition of Reading & Leeds brings the most transformative evolution to festival camping the UK has ever seen. In the biggest site change in the festival’s 55-year history, every campsite has been reimagined from the ground up with vacuum toilets, more showers, bespoke ‘Get Ready With Me’ stations, enhanced décor and production, plus a wide range of new non-music activities designed to elevate the weekend experience. 

At the heart of this refresh are five newly introduced campsite areas—The Fields, The Garden, The Meadow, The Glitterball Grove, and The Valley — each created to reflect the needs, interests, and energy of the diverse Reading & Leeds community. Every space, which is free to book, comes with its own unique identity and daytime programming, allowing festival-goers to choose the vibe that fits them best. Demand for the new campsites reflects just how well this revamp is landing. In Reading, The Meadow and The Garden campsites are now fully booked, whilst over 50% of Leeds Festival attendees have already reserved their spot in the new camping spaces.

Also new for 2025, Reading & Leeds introduces two brand new stages – celebrating the underground electronic communities blazing a path through modern UK culture. In Reading, the Smirnoff Stage brings together the likes of Riordan, IN PARALLEL, Lu. Re, and more. Whilst in Leeds, the Reload Stage will see DJ Semtex, Disrupta and Tommy Villiers amongst many more perform across the weekend.

Reading and Leeds has something for everyone, day and night. Whether you’re raving under the LED roof of the Chevron stage, diving into creative, non-music programming at The Aux with Brittany Broski alongside Max Balegde and Charley Marlowe, JaackMaate’s Happy Hour, or Harry Pinero and Darkest Man, or discovering the best new bands before they blow up, R&L puts you in control of your weekend.

And when the headliners wrap, the night’s just getting started—expect more late-night entertainment than ever before, with Silent Disco sessions lighting up the Festival Republic and Chevron stages after dark, plus DJ sets from Brighton’s Badger and takeovers from clubnight favourites like Swiftogeddon, Pop Never Dies and UPRAWR. Even The Aux goes nocturnal, with Silent Karaoke keeping the party going. This year’s programming goes beyond the big moments—it’s a full-spectrum celebration of where music and culture meet.

Changing the game for festivals every year, Reading and Leeds scooped Music Week’s Festival Of The Year award, after previously being awarded The Innovation Award at the UK Festival Awards 2024 in recognition for the all-new Chevron Stage. This year, more positive changes have been announced for this year’s festivals, with these new initiatives set to make a positive impact on sustainability, safety and inclusivity at music festivals across the board.

Reading and Leeds Festival takes place Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August 2025 at Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. 

Tickets are on sale at www.readingfestival.com/tickets and www.leedsfestival.com/tickets.

Prices for tickets range from £125 for day tickets and £325 for a weekend ticket, with flexible payment options available on all ticket types.

Festival goers can book their place in the new campsites in Reading HERE and Leeds HERE.