Reading & Leeds Festival ushers in a new era as BBC Introducing Stage gets axed
The long-running platform for emerging artists will be replaced as part of the festival's wider site evolution this year, writes Music News Blitz's Joshua Johnston.
Reading & Leeds Festival is set to say goodbye to one of its most iconic stages, with organiser Festival Republic confirming that the BBC Introducing Stage will not return this year after an 18-year run that began in 2008.
The change is part of a broader transformation of the festival, alongside other stages being rebranded and the introduction of a brand-new dance music stage, The Warehouse.
Reading and Leeds 2.0 Festivals: Headline acts, ticket information and more
Reading and Leeds are two of the UK’s longest-running music festivals, and have hosted some of the biggest names in music over the years.
This year, the festival has rebranded, launching Reading and Leeds 2.0 - but what does this mean for the attendees?
Music News Blitz writer Grace Moore answers all questions about this year’s festival.
Five best UK festivals happening in summer 2026
This summer is going to be a summer to remember – as always, there is a wide variety of festivals to pick from but these are the top five in the country, writes Music News Blitz’s Bella Ford.