aaamusic | On 12, Mar 2012

THE GREATEST FESTIVAL ON THE PLANET RETURNS!

Over the years, READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL has seen some of the most memorable musical moments in history. 2012 will be no exception and we are very proud to announce three exclusive Main Stage headliners coming to entertain the 160,000 fanatical music enthusiasts who make this the most thrilling festival on earth. If you want to see every band that matters then Reading & Leeds Festival at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds is the only place to be this August Bank Holiday Weekend.

The greatest rock band in the world right now, and masters of whipping crowds into a frenzy, FOO FIGHTERS will kick off proceedings in Leeds on Friday and close the show in Reading on Sunday, playing their only UK shows this year. THE CURE have an unrivalled catalogue of both commercially and critically acclaimed hits and this is a long awaited return for this hugely influential and important band. They play Leeds on Saturday and Reading on Friday, their only UK shows this year. The biggest and most exciting UK band to have emerged in the last decade, KASABIAN make their first headline appearance at the festival on Sunday at Leeds and Saturday at Reading. Their epic and anthemic tunes will fill the fields at these, their only festival shows in England and Wales in 2012.

The NME/Radio 1 Stage always proves hugely popular and with THE MACCABEES, AT THE DRIVE-IN and JUSTICE lined up for 2012 it’s sure to be busier than ever. METRONOMY will top the bill on the Dance Stage bringing their blistering live show to the festival.

Many more names are still to be announced on these stages as well as the full line-up for the NME/Radio 1 Stage, Lock-Up Stage, Dance Stage, Festival Republic Stage, BBC Introducing Stage and the Alternative Stage. This is definitely the finest line-up you’ll find at any festival this summer with over 200 acts appearing at the most incredible event. Get your tent packed!

THIS YEAR’S MAIN STAGE HEADLINERS:

THE CURE TO HEADLINE – ONLY UK APPEARANCES OF 2012!

Friday 24th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 25th August at Leeds Festival

THE CURE are arguably the biggest alternative rock band of the last thirty years with a stellar catalogue of critically and commercially successful albums and a worldwide fan base. Hugely influential, the group have earned their iconic status with countless hit singles, legendary live performances and their unique sound blending moody atmospheric songs with sparkling pop sensibilities. Incredibly the band have only appeared at the Reading Festival once before, in 1979 around the release of their debut album ‘Three Imaginary Boys’, so this is a long overdue return and both sites are sure to embrace this classic act.

KASABIAN TO HEADLINE – ONLY FESTIVAL APPEARANCES IN ENGLAND AND WALES OF 2012!

Saturday 25th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 26th August at Leeds Festival

In their own words, KASABIAN were “built to headline festivals”. Since the release of their debut self-titled album in 2004, the Leicester group have swept all before them. With a string of festival anthems including ‘Fire’, ‘Club Foot’ and ‘Empire’, KASABIAN can rightly claim to be one of the UK’s biggest bands. Their latest album ‘Velociraptor’ continued this huge success, debuting at Number One in the UK, and confirmed their place at the top table of modern rock ‘n’ roll legends. A group which encapsulates the heady spirit of festival season, these shows will be a summer highlight for rock fans everywhere. KASABIAN are guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, singer Tom Meighan, bassist Chris Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews.

FOO FIGHTERS TO HEADLINE – ONLY UK APPEARANCES OF 2012!

Sunday 26th August at Reading Festival / Friday 24th August at Leeds Festival

Having recently picked up five Grammy Awards, a Brit Award for ‘Best International Group’ and NME Award for ‘Best International Band’, and having seen last year’s ‘Wasting Light’ debut at Number One in 12 countries, FOO FIGHTERS return to headline Reading & Leeds Festival as the undisputed biggest rock band in the world today. Since first appearing at Reading in 1995 and ascending to headlining the Reading & Leeds Main Stages in 2002 and 2005, FOO FIGHTERS have never received anything short of a spectacular welcome from the crowds at Reading & Leeds.

In the tradition of their historic 2008 Wembley Stadium doubleheader and last year’s Milton Keynes weekender FOO FIGHTERS are poised to make this year’s Reading & Leeds a legendary event and a true must see for every music fan in the UK.

MAIN STAGE – Fri 24 Reading / Sat 25 Leeds

The Cure, Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, Kaiser Chiefs, You Me At Six, Enter Shikari, Bullet For My Valentine, Crystal Castles, The Shins, All Time Low, Angels and Airwaves, Odd Future, The Gaslight Anthem, Coheed and Cambria, Mystery Jets, Eagles of Death Metal, Cancer Bats, Band of Skulls, Deaf Havana, Blood Red Shoes, Pulled Apart By Horses

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE – Sat 25 Reading / Sun 26 Leeds

The Maccabees, At The Drive In, Justice, Foster The People, The Cribs, Two Door Cinema Club, The Courteeners, The Horrors, Bily Talent, Miike Snow, SBTRKT

DANCE STAGE – Sun 26 Reading/ Fri 24 Leeds

Metronomy, Katy B, Azealia Banks, Jaguar Skills

MANY MORE ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THESE STAGES AND LINE UP FOR LOCK UP, ALTERNATIVE, FESTIVAL REPUBLIC AND BBC INTRODUCING STILL TO COME…

TICKETING INFO:

Weekend tickets £197.50 plus applicable booking fees ● Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £85.00 plus applicable booking fees ● Early entry permits £15.00 ● Campervan permits £60.00 ● Lockers £15.00 ● Reading car parking £5.00 ● Weekend ticket prices include camping

Online/Telephone from Monday 12th March 7.15pm:

Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of four per person/address/payment card for those booking by telephone or online and two per person/address/payment card for personal callers to walk in stores.

Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821

Or online at: www.festivalrepublic.com www.readingfestival.com ● www.leedsfestival.com www.seetickets.com/Tour/READING-FESTIVAL-2012/● www.seetickets.com/Tour/LEEDS-FESTIVAL-2012/ www.hmvtickets.com

For a full list of authorised ticket agents please check the Festival Republic website

In Person from Tuesday 13th March:

Reading tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 13th March 8.00am when paid for in cash at the Reading Arts & Venues Box Office, The Hexagon.

Leeds tickets can be bought at face value, in person from Tuesday 13th March 8.00am when paid for in cash at Leeds Visitor Centre.

Also in person from Crash Records and Jumbo Records subject to booking fees.

Please note that picture ID/proof of address will be required at the time of booking. Tickets are subject to availability.

Limit of 2 per household/person for personal callers.

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children’s area at this event.

For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit:

www.readingfestival.com ● www.leedsfestival.com