First four for Reading and Leeds

United Kingdom | | 25 January 2006

EXCLUSIVE: Virtual Festivals can reveal four of the biggest bands playing at this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals, including two of the headliners. It's all strictly rumour, of course (but true!)

A festival source told VF that Muse and Franz Ferdinand will make up two of the three headliners at this summer's August bank holiday rock event, with organisers believed to be in negotiations to book a more traditional rock act for the third slot. Last year it was Iron Maiden, so expect a band from a similar mould to head up the heavier rock day.

Our guess is that Franz Ferdinand will headline the Friday at Reading before closing Leeds on the Saturday night. The Scottish art rockers have already proven themselves as headline material after sharing duties with Scissor Sisters at V Festival last year.

Muse will probably top Reading's Saturday bill before closing Leeds the following evening on Sunday. Matt Bellamy's band triumphed at Glastonbury in 2004 (winning 'Best Live Act' in the Festival Awards that year) and with new material on the way, could once again provide the summer's defining set.

After being voted 'Best New Live Act' in the 2005 awards, Leeds' own Kaiser Chiefs will also feature high up the bill. The band were apparently offered a headlining slot but turned it down, possibly because they feared it would put unwanted pressure on writing their second album. They will now play second fiddle to Franz Ferdinand.

Another band who apparently caused headaches for organisers are Arctic Monkeys. Following their packed out, inaugral festival appearances at Reading and Leeds last year, the Sheffield chart toppers are said to have been asked to play third on the bill but refused because they wanted a more prestigious slot. It is believed they will now headline the second stage.

Rumours initially pointed to The Strokes appearing as a headliner, however that possibility now seems unlikely due to a lukewarm response to the band's third album 'First Impressions Of Earth'. However, they could potentially still appear before Muse on the bill.

Other bands rumoured to be playing the Reading and Leeds Festivals include Alice Cooper, The Flaming Lips, Secret Machines, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Wolfmother, Humanzi, Forward Russia!, Boy Kill Boy, and Dirty Pretty Things.

One unlikely rumour doing the rounds is that Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline. The band have hinted towards indoor venues for their next tour and they are believed to have ruled out playing any festivals in the UK.

As previously stated, all the above is based on (reliable) rumour and nothing will be properly confirmed until Mean Fiddler makes an official announcement - probably in March. Stay posted to VF for the first official (and unofficial!) announcements.

Reading and Leeds Festivals take place from 25-27 August at Little Johns Farm, Reading, and Bramham Park, Leeds. Click on the links below for more information.