The UK’s Reading & Leeds Festival has angered some rock fans, after revealing a more rap and hip hop-friendly lineup for 2018.
Unveiling the first list of acts for its new roster overnight, organisers announced a number of big-name hip hop acts on their lineup, which some precious rock fans have labelled the worst lineup in the festival’s history.
Kendrick Lamar is set to headline one night of Reading & Leeds, and is joined by other acts like Post Malone, Skepta, Brockhampton, Dua Lipa, J Hus, Lil Pump, $uicide Boy$, Playboi Carti and Ms Banks on the lineup.
Some rock fans are pretty pissed about it, and given that Glastonbury isn’t happening this year, some ticket-holders are reportedly trying to sell off their Reading & Leeds tickets.
I'm sure reading and Leeds used to be an alternative rock festival, what is that line up? That line up is literally a radio 1 play list. Absolutely shocking #RandL18
— Raychlaa (@raychmayte) February 13, 2018
@OfficialRandL no Glasto and you STILL don’t get Arctics or Foos!? It’s supposed to be a Rock Festival not a ‘BBC Radio one pays me festival!’
Dua Lipa and Kendrick Lamar. Behave will you. #RandL18
— Tom Harrison (@tomSharrison) February 13, 2018
When someone asks "any good bands on at #RandL18 this year?" pic.twitter.com/KMFXKr9nyS
— pollyprissypants (@Taneeeeya) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/carlalouisedady/status/963323644268212224
Oh how you've changed in 10 years. pic.twitter.com/zrO9iPjLdX
— Jack Robinson (@jackrobinson90) February 13, 2018
Despite being rumoured for Reading & Leeds, Arctic Monkeys weren’t announced on the lineup either, which has left some fans a little mad…
Where the fuck are the Arctic Monkeys? ?
— Jamie (@its_jamie__) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/withurlovato/status/963351915680747520
Arctic monkeys where u at tho..?
— Southgate’s Kitten (@FranCavolina) February 13, 2018
Looking at the Leeds fest line up and Arctic Monkeys aren’t listed pic.twitter.com/BJl6u671k6
— H (@harpreetmoore) February 13, 2018
Wow fixed it for you #RandL18 pic.twitter.com/8QiIZ4gOly
— Josh (@joshbaileylee) February 13, 2018
While Reading & Leeds appears to be forming a more diverse lineup for 2018, its roster still features a bunch of rock acts, including Kings Of Leon, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Hinds, Papa Roach and Sum 41. And yes, we realise some of these bands are past their ‘use by’ date.
In a statement to media, Melvin Benn from Reading & Leeds organisers Festival Republic says, “Reading and Leeds prides itself on being a music-first festival and this year’s line-up already proves that.
“Kings Of Leon and Fall Out Boy are bands that have grown with the festival and its fans and we couldn’t be more pleased to invite them back to headline.
“Adding Panic! At The Disco and Kendrick Lamar, probably the most sought-after act in the world right now, we think Reading and Leeds festivals 2018 are off to an amazing start – with even more to come, so watch this space.”
Last year’s Reading & Leeds lineup featured the likes of Kasabian, Eminem, Muse, Liam Gallagher and Korn, as well as a bunch of Aussie acts like Flume, Tired Lion and The Amity Affliction.
View this year’s first lineup announcement in full below, and judge it for yourself. Reading & Leeds will take place in August.
Reading & Leeds 2018 Festival Lineup (First Announcement)
Kendrick Lamar
Kings Of Leon
Fall Out Boy
Panic! at the Disco
$uicide Boy$
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
AJ Tracey
Annie Mac
Beartooth
Belly
Bicep Live
Brockhampton
Courteeners
Creeper
Diplo
Dream Wife
Dua Lipa
Fredo
Ghetts
Hannah Wants
Hinds
Hollywood Undead
Hudson Taylor
IAMDDB
J Hus
Kojo Funds
Lil Pump
Mist
Mr EAZI
Ms Banks
My Nu Leng
Nadia Rose
Netsky b2b Jauz b2b Slushii
nothing,nowhere
Nothing But Thieves
Pale Waves
Papa Roach
Playboi Carti
Post Malone
Riton & Kah-Lo
Sigrid
Skepta
Ski Mask The Slump God
Sum 41
The Blaze
The Magician
The Magic Gang
The Wombats
Tom Grennan
UnderØath
Waterparks
Wolf Alice
Wretch 32
Yungen
