It's been revealed that Biffy Clyro will replace Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA) at Leeds and Reading Festivals this year.
The news comes after the American rock band pulled out, citing "restrictions and logistics" as the reasons for their inability to headline this year's festivals.
Initially, the band had been pipped to co-headline the Friday of Leeds and the Sunday of Reading but now Biffy will be stepping up to the plate instead.
Organisers unveiled plans to replace QOTSA with the Scottish rock band on Wednesday, 28 July.
Speaking on the news, Biffy Clyro said: "We are delighted and honoured to be headlining Reading & Leeds for a third time. We cannot wait to get out there and play for you all again after such a tough yearr… It’s gonna f***!”"
Image: Leeds and Reading Festival
As well as revealing the headline replacement, Reading and Leeds bosses have today added a host of new names to the festival line-up including Holly Humberstone, Inhaler, Russ Millions, Bakar, Blanco, Chaya and Che Lingo.
This year's events see two main stages and six headliners, as well as a host of other talents across the board. Topping the bill this year alongside Biffy will be artists Disclosure, Stormzy, Catfish & The Bottlemen and Post Malone.
Further new additions can be found listed below, with quite a few more names added to the bill for both the main stage and the BBC introducing music stage.
Main stages:
Bakar Biffy Clyro Blanco Chaya Che Lingo Dana Dentata French The Kid Gender Roles Holly Humberstone Inhaler Jazmin Bean Kam-Bu Punkband Russ Millions Trillary Banks
BBC Music introducing stage:
Alfie Indra Berwyn Bonnie Kemplay Bull Calva Louise Claudia Valentina Downtown Kayoto FFSYTHO!? Finn Askew Graft Josie Man Lady Ice Lauran Hibberd Low Girl Low Hummer LVRA Master Peace Meg Ward STONE Tayo Sound The Rills Yard Act
Reading and Leeds festival takes place this year from Fri, 27 Aug 2021 – Sun, 29 Aug 2021.
Feature image - Wikipedia.
What's On
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Georgina Pellant -
29th July 2021 
