Reading and Leeds 2012
No cabaret, no conceptual art, no face-painting stalls, no nonsense: this split-siter’s all about the music. Previously known as the Carling Weekend, Reading and Leeds has evolved from the UK’s original rock-fest into one of the finest annual showcases of established and emerging rock, punk, indie and dance talent. Head down to Bramham Park, Leeds, or Little John’s Farm, Reading, from 24th to 26th August to be part of the fun.
Top three must-sees
At The Drive In
Possibly the most acclaimed post-hardcore band in the contemporary rock canon, At The Drive In broke their 11 year silence at the start of 2012 by announcing a string of comeback shows. Guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López has since confirmed they have no plans to pen new material, which surely makes this reunion a limited edition offer and, by extension, their only UK festival appearance an unmissable cultural event. Mark our words: they will rip the NME/Radio 1 stage to pieces.
Preview and download music by At The Drive In »
Two Door Cinema Club
We doubt we were the only ones shouting, “Bloody hell, is that the bloke from Two Door Cinema Club?!” at the TV, during the Olympics Opening Ceremony. And now a billion people have heard Alex Trimble sing, it’s made the already eagerly-anticipated follow-up to Tourist History one of the hottest releases of the autumn. Get a sneak preview of material from Beacon on the NME/Radio 1 stage before it drops on 2nd September.
Preview and download music by Two Door Cinema Club »
Sleigh Bells
They say opposites attract, but the odds of a hardcore guitarist and a former pop princess forming a band are surely pretty slim. The odds that the music they make should be any cop are surely even slimmer, which is why Sleigh Bells caused such a stir when they first emerged in 2009. The Brooklyn-based duo don’t do subtle, so expect an ear-splitting headline set on the Festival Republic Stage, juxtaposing metal riffs with hip-hop beats and come-to-bed vocals.
Preview and download music by Sleigh Bells »
Reading - Friday, 24th August / Leeds - Saturday, 25th August
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Greatest Hits (2001) by The Cure
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brand new eyes (2013) by Paramore
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A Different Kind Of Fix (2011) by Bombay Bicycle Club
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Sinners Never Sleep (2011) by You Me At Six
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Given To The Wild (2012) by The Maccabees
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(II) (2011) by Crystal Castles
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I-Empire (2007) by Angels and Airwaves
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Year Of The Black Rainbow (2012) by Coheed and Cambria
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Dead Set on Living (2012) by Cancer Bats
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Fools and Worthless Liars (2012) by Deaf Havana
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Torches (2011) by Foster The People
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Falcon (2010) by The Courteeners
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A+E (2012) by Graham Coxon
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Gossamer (2012) by Passion Pit
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Hope (2011) by The Blackout
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Enjoy It While It Lasts (2012) by Spector
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For The Masses (2010) by Hadouken!
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The General Strike (2012) by Anti-Flag
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Ex Lives (2013) by Every Time I Die
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The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle (2012) by The Bouncing Souls
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Can't Slow Down (2012) by Saves The Day
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Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me (2011) by Touché Amoré
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A Wilhelm Scream (2011) by A Wilhelm Scream
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Another Change of Plan (2012) by RANDOM HAND
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From the Dumpster to the Grave (2011) by Star Fucking Hipsters
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Moscow Penny Ante (2011) by Dead To Me
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Reign of Terror (2012) by Sleigh Bells
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Money and Celebrity (2011) by The Subways
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Veronica Falls (2011) by Veronica Falls
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Instinct (2012) by Niki & The Dove
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An Awesome Wave (2012) by alt-J
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Rise Ye Sunken Ships (2012) by We Are Augustines
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Hypnotic Nights (2012) by Jeff The Brotherhood
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Five Finger Discount (2008) by Savages
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Garden Window (2011) by O'Brother
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Lily of the Valley (2012) by Funeral Suits
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The Morris Dance EP (2012) by Mikill Pane
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Why You So Cold? (2012) by Wet Nuns
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Loma Vista (2012) by Family of the Year
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Distraction Pieces (2011) by Scroobius Pip
Reading - Saturday, 25th August / Leeds - Sunday, 26th August
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Ceremonials (2012) by Florence + The Machine
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No Hope (2012) by The Vaccines
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A Flash Flood Of Colour (2012) by Enter Shikari
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Port Of Morrow (2012) by The Shins
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The OF Tape Vol. 2 (2012) by Odd Future
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Radlands (2012) by Mystery Jets
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In Time To Voices (2012) by Blood Red Shoes
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Hold On Now, Youngster... (2012) by Los Campesinos!
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In/Casino/Out (2013) by At The Drive-In
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In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull (2012) by The Cribs
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The Hunter (2012) by Mastodon
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Billy Talent III (2009) by Billy Talent
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Happy to You (2012) by Miike Snow
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Master of My Make-Believe (2013) by Santigold
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Shallow Bed (2012) by Dry The River
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Free (2011) by Twin Atlantic
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Tragic Loss: He Had Such a Lovely House (2012) by Post War Glamour Girls
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The English Riviera (2012) by Metronomy
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On A Mission (2011) by Katy B
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1991 EP (2012) by Azealia Banks
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9 Levels Of Power (2011) by Jaguar Skills & DJ@War
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Show Me A Sign (2012) by Modestep
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Generation Freakshow (2012) by Feeder
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Bones (2012) by Young Guns
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World Record (2011) by Lower Than Atlantis
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Best Intentions (Standard Version) (2012) by We Are The In Crowd
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Glockenspiel Song (2012) by Dog Is Dead
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Taste It EP (2012) by Jake Bugg
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Priorities (2012) by Don Broco
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Time Capsules II (2012) by Oberhofer
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Remind Me In 3 Days... (2008) by The Knux
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Here We Are (2012) by Citizens!
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Marcata (2012) by The Minutes
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Vava Voom (2012) by Bassnectar
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White Horses (2011) by Cut Ribbons
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Portraits (2011) by Max Raptor
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Pearls & Diamonds (2009) by Hildamay
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Valentine (2012) by Dear Prudence
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The Killing Jar (2012) by Black Moth
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Goodhart's Law (2012) by Backyards
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2 bit Blues x 6 bit Blues (2012) by Kid Koala
Reading - Sunday, 26th August / Leeds - Friday, 24th August
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Wasting Light (2011) by Foo Fighters
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El Camino (2013) by The Black Keys
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Fever (2010) by Bullet For My Valentine
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Skying (2011) by The Horrors
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Dirty Work (2011) by All Time Low
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Handwritten (2012) by The Gaslight Anthem
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Heart On (with bonus tracks) (2009) by Eagles Of Death Metal
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Sweet Sour (2012) by Band Of Skulls
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Pulled Apart By Horses (2010) by Pulled Apart By Horses
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Audio, Video, Disco. (2012) by Justice
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Tourist History (2010) by Two Door Cinema Club
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Blues Funeral (2012) by Mark Lanegan Band
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The Big Roar (2013) by The Joy Formidable
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Django Django (2012) by Django Django
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America Give Up (2012) by Howler
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Little Talks (2012) by Of Monsters And Men
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Greased (2011) by Less Than Jake
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Are A Drag (2009) by Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
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Death Is Birth (2011) by Gallows
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Sexual Harassment (2012) by Turbonegro
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Awake (2011) by Trash Talk
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Capricorn One (2010) by Good Riddance
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Part & Parcel (2012) by The Skints
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Black Mass (2013) by This Is Hell
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The Great Awake (2007) by The Flatliners
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London (2012) by Apologies, i have none
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Full Swing (2012) by Crowns
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Cheeky for a Reason (2012) by The View
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Rant (2012) by The Futureheads
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Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm (2011) by Benjamin Francis Leftwich
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LoveBlood (2012) by King Charles
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Language (2012) by Zulu Winter
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Again Into Eyes (2011) by S.C.U.M.
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New Brigade (2011) by iceage
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Bloodstreams (2012) by DZ Deathrays
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Left Myself Behind (2012) by Toy
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Family (2012) by The Cast Of Cheers
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Gallop (2012) by Tall Ships
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Moving Still (2012) by Deaf Club
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Made a List (2012) by Dingus Khan
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Eggshells (2012) by Rachel Sermanni
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Be That Way (2010) by The Establishment
