This year’s lineup is a riot of noise, energy, and attitude, with this YEAR’S alternative acts ready to smash genres, melt faces, and turn casual listeners into lifelong fans…
Words by Josephine Best | August 12, 2025.
Reading & Leeds is always a haven for big-name headliners, but the real magic often happens away from the top of the bill. This year’s alternative lineup is stacked with artists ready to steal the weekend – from genre-defying newcomers to scene veterans at the peak of their powers. Whether you’re chasing the next big thing or catching a rare set from a cult favourite, here’s our rundown of the unmissable alt acts lighting up R&L 2025.
ENTER SHIKARI – MainStage
These guys aren’t just returning to the festival, they’re coming home. Enter Shikari first rocked these grounds back in 2007, and since then, they’ve become absolute legends here, holding records for insane crowd surfing and playing more sets in a single weekend than anyone else.
Mixing punk rage with electronic beats and metal power, their sound hits harder than ever. Their latest album A Kiss for the Whole World smashed straight to #1 in the UK last year, proving they’ve only gotten bigger and better since their DIY beginnings.
This isn’t just another band playing another set. It’s Enter Shikari doing what they do best, tearing up the stage while showing everyone how far they’ve come. Expect circle pits, singalongs, and the kind of energy that reminds you why festivals exist.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
LIMP BIZKET – MainStage
The kings of 2000s nu-metal are returning to the festival stage, and trust us, you don’t want to miss this. Love them or hate them, Limp Bizkit defined a generation with massive hits like Break Stuff, Rollin’, and My Generation. That rap-rock sound? They basically invented it.
After blowing up Gunnersbury Park in 2023, crushing Download Festival last year, and selling out arenas, Fred Durst and the gang are back – and they’re somehow more in demand now than they were 20 years ago. This isn’t just another festival slot, it’s their first time at this event in over 10 years, and they’re riding a huge comeback wave.
Expect mosh pits, wild energy, and all the classics that made them legends. With their track record, they might just outshine even Bring Me The Horizon. One thing’s for sure: this is going to be the most fun (and possibly most chaotic) set of the weekend.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
BRING ME THE HORIZON – MainStage
Sheffield’s genre-smashing rock giants Bring Me The Horizon are back to headline Reading & Leeds for the first time since 2022, and this is a BIG one. Not only is it their only UK show in 2025, but it’s also the final European stop of their Post Human: Nex Gen tour before they take a break (wipes tears).
If you saw their mind-blowing 2024 arena tour (which packed out stadiums across the UK and Ireland) or caught clips of their insane São Paulo show with next-level visuals and stage production, you already know: BMTH don’t do things by halves. Expect pyro, insane production, and a setlist packed with bangers, from early fan favourites to their newest hits.
With no other UK dates planned, this isn’t just another festival slot, it’s a moment. Whether you’ve been with them since the Count Your Blessings days or jumped on board with Nex Gen, this is your last chance to see them live for a while. Consider it the ultimate send-off (for now).
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
WATERPARKS – MainStage
The Houston trio has come a long way from their early indie days, growing into a full-blown festival act with catchy, genre-blending hits. Mixing pop-punk energy with electronic beats, they’ve built a loyal fanbase with albums like Fandom, Greatest Hits, and last year’s Intellectual Property. Their live shows are known for being loud, fun, and packed with sing-along moments, perfect for a big festival crowd. Plus, they just dropped a killer new single, RED GUITAR, so expect some fresh bangers alongside their fan favourites.
If you love big hooks, high-energy performances, and a band that knows how to work a crowd, don’t miss this set!
(Sunday at Reading, Friday at Leeds)
AMYL & THE SNIFFERS – MainStage
Straight outta Australia, this punk tornado is about to hit the festival, and you better hold onto your beers. Frontwoman Amy Taylor doesn’t just perform, she EXPLODES on stage with more energy than a caffeinated kangaroo. These guys don’t do polite shows – they deliver full-throttle, sweat-drenched, mosh-pit madness that’ll leave you breathless.
Fresh from tearing up other festivals, their raw punk power is perfect for Reading & Leeds’ wild vibe. If you want a break from boring bands and safe performances, this is your must-see set. Warning: You might lose your voice, your shoes, and possibly your mind – but it’ll be the most fun you have all weekend.
(Sunday at Reading, Friday at Leeds)
SOFT PLAY – Chevron Stage
These UK punk heroes hit the reset button with a new name but the same raw energy that made them famous. Just two dudes, one smashing drums, the other tearing up guitar, but they sound bigger than most full bands. Their music packs punchy riffs with lyrics that’ll make you think while you mosh.
Fresh off their rebrand, Soft Play are bringing their A-game. Expect circle pits, shout-along choruses, and the kind of sweaty chaos that reminds you why live music rules. Whether you knew them as Slaves or just discovered them, this is your chance to see one of the most exciting duos in punk right now.
(Friday at Reading, Saturday at Leeds)
HIGH VIS – Festival Republic Stage
These UK underground heroes are blowing up fast, and for damn good reason. Mixing post-punk tension, hardcore fury and Britpop hooks, their music hits you right in the gut with lyrics about real life, the struggles, the small victories, and everything in between.
We caught them opening for Deftones earlier this summer and holy shit – their live show hits even harder than their recordings. Raw, sweaty, and packed with emotion, they’re not afraid to go to some dark places while still leaving you feeling fired up.
If you want proper, no-bullshit rock music that actually means something, High Vis are your new favorite band. Don’t sleep on this set – it’s gonna be one of those “I was there when…” moments.
(Friday at Reading, Saturday at Leeds)
LAMBRINI GIRLS – MainStage
These Brighton hellraisers are the shot of adrenaline the UK punk scene needed. Mixing feminist fury with bratty charm and mosh-ready riffs, they’ve become the voice for anyone sick of playing nice. Their songs are middle fingers set to music; loud, pissed off, and impossible to ignore.
At Reading & Leeds, expect pure chaos: crowd-surfing, shout-along choruses, and the kind of sweaty, no-fucks-given energy that made punk dangerous again. They’re not here to make friends, they’re here to tear shit up. If you like your music with teeth and your shows with bruises, don’t miss this. Lambrini Girls are the riot grrrl revival we’ve been waiting for.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
PALE WAVES – Chevron Stage
Manchester’s Pale Waves have grown from indie dreamers to full-on alt-pop stars, and their R&L set is gonna be packed with massive tunes. They started out with that hazy, romantic sound but have since cranked up the guitars and the attitude, writing honest bangers about love, life, and figuring out who you are.
Whether you’ve been singing along since day one or this is your first time hearing them, their show is guaranteed to be one of those “everyone knows every word” moments. Expect big choruses, even bigger emotions, and the kind of set that sticks with you long after the festival’s over.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
BILMURI – Festival Republic Stage
Former Attack Attack! guitarist Johnny Franck is bringing his solo project Bilmuri to Reading & Leeds, and it’s gonna be one of the most unpredictable, fun sets of the weekend. This dude throws heavy breakdowns, funky sax solos, and self-aware humour into a blender and somehow makes it work perfectly.
After years of DIY releases and building a diehard online following, Bilmuri’s cult status is about to explode. One minute you’ll be moshing, the next you’ll be dancing to something that sounds like if a metal band crashed a disco.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious, this is your chance to see one of alt music’s most original acts live. Trust us, you’ve never seen a festival set quite like this.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
MOUTH CULTURE – Festival Republic Stage
Leicester’s best-kept secret is about to blow up. Mouth Culture have been quietly killing it on the UK alt-rock circuit, winning over crowds at Slam Dunk and 2000trees with their razor-sharp songs and electric live energy.
This trio knows how to work a crowd – one minute you’ll be jumping to their bangers, the next you’ll be holding up your phone light during their more emotional moments. They’ve got that special mix of raw talent and stage presence that turns newcomers into instant fans. With the industry starting to take notice, their R&L set might be your last chance to see them in a smaller slot before they explode. Trust me, you’ll want to be able to say “I saw them when…”
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
SOUTH ARCADE – MainStage
South Arcade are taking everything you loved about 2000s pop-punk and nu-metal and blasting it into the modern era. South Arcade’s got that perfect mix of throwback vibes and fresh energy – massive hooks, crushing riffs, and a live show that demands your attention.
They’ve been building serious buzz on the UK circuit, and now they’re making their R&L debut right as they’re about to blow up. If you miss this set, you’ll be kicking yourself when they’re selling out venues next year. One part nostalgia, two parts revolution, South Arcade are rewriting the rules of British rock. Don’t sleep on this.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
ECCA VANDAL – Festival Republic Stage
Ecca Vandal is about to blow minds at Reading & Leeds with her explosive mix of punk, hip-hop, rock and electronics. Fresh from tearing up arenas with Limp Bizkit (yes, she even held her own, sharing the stage with Fred Durst), she brings next-level energy and a sound that absolutely refuses to be pigeonholed. One minute you’ll be moshing, the next you’ll be dancing – this is the kind of unpredictable, electrifying performance that makes festivals special. If you’re after something different that still hits hard, Ecca’s your must-see wildcard of the weekend.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
UNPEOPLE – BBC Introducing Stage
After crushing sets at Download and 2000trees, plus supporting The Smashing Pumpkins no less, unpeople are becoming the UK alt scene’s worst-kept secret. These guys pack heavyweight riffs with proper singalong melodies, and they’ve already developed a signature sound despite only having six songs out. With buzz building fast after a killer festival summer, their Reading & Leeds debut couldn’t be better timed, this is your chance to catch a future headliner on the rise.
(Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds)
SNAYX – Festival Republic Stage
Split between Brighton and Sheffield, this trio’s been winning over crowds the old-school way, by hitting the road hard and playing like their lives depend on it. Their killer new track Strut takes aim at fake social media culture, showing they’ve got brains behind the bangers. Live, they’re all raw energy and real connection, no gimmicks, just proper punk that means something. Reading & Leeds is their chance to blow up bigger, so catch them now before everyone else catches on. These lads don’t just play shows – they start proper moments.
(Friday at Reading, Saturday at Leeds)
Last Reading minute tickets are still available here: https://www.readingfestival.com/tickets/
Last Leeds minute tickets are still available here: https://www.leedsfestival.com/tickets/
Leave a Reply