Leeds (and Reading!) Festival is back again this year, taking place on 22-24 August at Bramham Park. Here are LOUD WOMEN’s must-see bands for the weekend!
WENCH! are a relatively young band, from Hull. They’ve just played LOUD WOMEN Sunday on the RIS stage at this years Rebellion Festival, and they exude a confidence that will have you in disbelief at how new of a band they actually are. You can catch them early in the day on the BBC Introducing Stage at 13:50 on Friday.
Later that day, we have Australian punks Amyl and the Sniffers. Known for their explosive live performances, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more energetic and seemingly unstoppable frontwoman than Amy Taylor. Her stage presence is second-to-none – her wide-eyed, chaotic energy will have you unable to look away. If punk is you’re thing, you can’t afford to miss them.
Catch them on the Main Stage, Friday, at 17:00.
Saturday is an absolutely stacked day, over on the Festival Republic Stage, we have Phoenix-based shoegazers, Glixen. They’ve been honing their dreamy, textured sound since 2020 and, since releasing their second EP last year, things really seem to have taken off for them. Treat yourself to a taste below, with recent single ‘Lick the Stars’, and head over to the Festival Republic Stage at 12:50.
Later, on the same stage, you can catch riot grrrl inspired pop-punks The Linda Lindas. They gained fame in 2018 when a video of them performing their song Racist, Sexist Boy went viral, and have been working hard ever since. Signed to Epitaph Records, they’re now two albums deep, and opened for Green Day on their massive US tour last year.
Catch them on the Festival Republic Stage, at 17:20.
Over on the Main Stage, a woman who surely needs no introduction – she’s been co-ruling the pop scene with Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter since last summer – it’s Chappell Roan! Guaranteed to be one of the most joyful, colourful, and explosive acts of the weekend, you can expect to hear current single ‘The Subway’, the song that surely has at least half the world in a chokehold right now.
Chappell will hit the main stage, on Saturday, at 18:40.
Once you’ve recovered from the glamour and glitter, Sunday is just as exciting. Hitting the Main Stage early, we have Brighton punks, and LOUD WOMEN superstar alumni, Lambrini Girls. Phoebe and Lily have basically been taking over the world this past year. Having released their debut album, Who Let The Dogs Out, back in January, they’ve already completed one sold-out UK tour on the back of it, and are doing it all again this Autumn. If you get the opportunity to see Lambrini Girls, grab it with both hands – there’s no sign of this duo slowing down.
Over on the BBC Introducing Stage, self-described “brat metal” band Eville will be making their mark. Having already opened for the likes of Wargasm (UK) and Delilah Bon, Eville feel like a band who are right on the cusp of blowing up. Don’t deprive yourself of the chance to say “I was there” – they take to the BBC Introducing Stage at 13:50.
Also making their debut on the BBC Introducing Stage, we have Isle of Wight “gal pal” punk duo, The Pill. Whether they’re critiquing a mullet, or touching on more serious topics, they deliver it all with a danceable, sassy charm, and hooks that will stay in your head for days afterwards.
Catch them on the BBC Introducing Stage at 18:25
Finally, headlining the BBC Introducing Stage, is Egyptian-born, Manchester-based alt-pop rising star, Nxdia. They released their debut album, I Promise No One’s Watching, in June, so take the chance to hear their unique brand of pop live – there’s no way Nxdia isn’t destined for the Main Stage in the future!
With it’s mix of chart-topping headliners and underground gems, this years Leeds Festival has a fantastic, varied line-up. Whether you’re at the Main Stage, witnessing a historic set in the making, or finding your new favourite band on the BBC Introducing Stage, this will surely be a weekend to remember (or not remember, I don’t judge how you have your fun!) – make sure your boots are ready for mud (this is England after all), and let the fun begin!