Fans have expressed their disappointment with the lineup after Reading and Leeds Festival announced their headline acts for the following year’s events.
The 2026 headliners from the Reading and Leeds Festivals, which include some well-known names, have been unveiled. The announcement has sparked a common query among music lovers, who have noticed something missing from the lineup of the world-famous festivals.
The two major festivals have announced their 2026 headliners, with fans looking forward to performances from Charli XCX, Dave, Florence and the Machine, and Raye. It’s also been revealed that Kasabian, the band hailing from Leicester, will be headlining Leeds Festival on Thursday for the first time ever.
The special guests scheduled to appear at the festival the following year were also given a sneak peek. Skepta, Role Model, Jade, Sombra, Kneecap, and Geese are included in this list.
However, many festivalgoers appear to have noticed something missing from the lineups of both festivals after the announcement. Rock and metal acts, traditionally associated with the festival, are absent from social media.
One Reddit user, @Killerpig14, responded to the announcement by suggesting the festival was lacking in these genres, writing: “Looks like another year of no rock and metal acts”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Not a single 00s metal or rock act on there, according to another fan, @Robotdogdoo. I must admit that I’m disappointed.
Other festivalgoers have expressed disappointment, suggesting that the festivals have abandoned showcasing genres they’ve previously championed, such as rock and metal. Third festival fan, identified as @Qu4ckAttack, cheekily remarked, “Reading isn’t the rock fest of old.”
Another fan, @raceplatt, responded, “I guess they’re trying to satisfy their largest customer base, especially those who have just begun to study rock/metal.”
Another festival attendee, @Consistent-Bat1632, commented that they were doing so well to incorporate rock back into RandL with BMTH and Limp Bizkit last year, but it seems like they’ve completely changed this year. I suppose I was hoping for Muse because it was only mainstream then.
Not all fans, however, are disappointed by the alleged lack of rock and music on the festival lineup. Reddit user @RandomName00_ reacted to the debate over whether rock and metal artists should perform at the upcoming Reading and Leeds Festivals, saying that “contrary to popular belief, an act isn’t worthwhile based on how many guitars they play, and festival organisers don’t have to prioritize rock/indie.”
However, some fans have defended the lineups for the Reading and Leeds Festivals, suggesting that one of the “most hyped” rock bands has recently made the list.
American rock band Geese was named one of the special guests for the upcoming year’s festivals in the most recent announcement for the Reading and Leeds Festivals, which received applause from some festivalgoers. One user using the handle @Look_Alive responded to criticism of the line-up on Reddit, saying, “Geeese are one of the most hyped rock bands in quite a long time.
