Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival line-up just dropped – and this queer icon is headlining
Charli XCX and Raye to headline Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival in revealed line-up. (Phillip Faraone/Maya Dehlin/Getty)
Charli XCX and Raye to headline Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival in revealed line-up. (Phillip Faraone/Maya Dehlin/Getty)
Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival will feature headline performances from British artist Raye and certified queer icon Charli XCX.
It’s a strong follow-up after 2025’s headliner, Chappell Roan, stunned festival goers with a tour de force performance.
Organisers announced that, for the first time in 25 years, the headliners are exclusively British and Irish acts.
Over this year’s August bank holiday weekend, Irish rockers Fontaines DC, electronic duo Chase & Status and singer Florence + The Machine will also be playing.
Raye has had a huge year with the release of “Where Is My Husband!”, the lead single from Raye’s upcoming second studio album. The track peaked at number two on both the United Kingdom and Ireland charts.
There’s bound to be hype for Raye, and tickets are sure to sell like hotcakes for the Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival. This will also be aided by the fact that the festival marks Brit Award winner Charli XCX’s only UK festival shows currently scheduled for next year.
The 33-year-old pop singer has become a favourite hitmaker in the LGBTQ+ community. Namely, her collaboration with queer artists, particularly trans talent, has earned her widespread praise.
‘Best reading lineup in years.’
Known for creating the cultural phenomenon of BRAT, her set will inevitably be one of the most-hyped of the festival.
Alongside her festival performance, Charli will also appear on the Wuthering Heights film soundtrack in 2026. Composer Anthony Willis has created a score for the film with Charli XCX contributing an album of original songs.
The star has also promised fans more new material, teasing that it will take a different, experimental turn following the mammoth success of Brat.
Charli XCX is just one of the exciting names to look out for at Reading and Leeds 2026 Festival. Irish rap trio Kneecap, pop singer JADE and grime artist Skepta are also on the bill across the weekend. There’s also US singers Sombr and Role Model who will be making an appearance.
Fans are certainly thrilled at the announcement news. In the comments of the Reading and Leeds Instagram announcement, many have shared their excitement.
“Best reading lineup in years damn,” one fan wrote. Another added: “ITS CHARLI BABEYYYY!”
Additionally, more acts are still scheduled to be announced.
The festival will take place at Reading’s Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park in Leeds between 27 to 30 August, with artists rotating which days they perform on.
Tickets will go on general sale on Thursday (4 November), with presales already live. Find out more here.
