And that’s a wrap! The final notes of music have rung out, the last tents have been packed up, and this year’s Reading & Leeds Festivals are officially over. With big changes implemented across both sites, this year’s edition had a new look – from fancy new decorations in The Ballroom tent to new stages like The Warehouse, which never seemed to be empty, judging by the notifications from the official app.

With more of a focus on younger, fresher artists, the line-up this year felt like an exciting portrait of the megastars of the future, whether that was ADÉLA serving up the first proper moment of the weekend in The Gallery on Reading’s first day, or Westside Cowboy shaking The Ballroom’s chandeliers in Leeds. That’s without even mentioning the headliners – all superstars worth a bill-topping highlight of their own.

Check out what made Team NME’s weekend from both sites below, and catch up with everything else we got up to in the field and backstage here.

Words: Jordan Bassett, Rhian Daly, Tom Skinner, Andrew Trendell

Jamie T kicks Reading off in style

Jamie T backstage at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

“Reading Festival, do you think I can get on the bill at the last minute?” Jamie T asked festival organisers in an Instagram video in the days leading up to this year’s festival. Fortunately – for the musician and all early arrivals – the Reading bookers approved his request, giving him a 33-minute, 10-second set on the main stage as the festival’s first act. It was another triumphant live moment for the Londoner, who was on top form as he delved into his back catalogue of bangers (a closing triple-threat of ‘Sheila’, ‘Sticks ‘N’ Stones’ and ‘Zombie’ was particularly potent) to kick Reading 2026 off in the right way. “I’m really happy to be where I am,” he told NME backstage later, and we couldn’t be happier to have him back either. (RD)

After soothe Leeds’ sore heads with blissful early set 

After‘s dose of LA cool was an essential remedy for the lingering effects of Leeds Fest night one. ‘Promise (When You Go)’ – the alt-pop, rom-com-style opener – set the tone for a half-hour ’00s nostalgia trip, washing over the bleary-eyed early risers at The Gallery. ‘Fell Asleep In The Sun’ brought some trip-hop elements and shades of Metric, as if produced by the late, great William Orbit. “Every time I play a festival that’s cold like this, I’m so happy,” joked singer Justine Dorsey. Touché. The NME 100 alumni’s sweeping, twinkly sounds belong in a sunny field. Alas, they found themselves in a dark tent sheltering from the northern drizzle. But with ambitions to expand the live band, After could soon graduate to the main stage where their songs can truly soar. (TS)

Westside Cowboy’s packed-out Ballroom set is a must-see

Westside Cowboy backstage at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Westside Cowboy brought some chandelier-shaking shenanigans to glitzy new venue The Ballroom. Fresh from releasing debut album ‘It Goes On’, the buzzy Manchester outfit and recent NME cover stars walked out at Leeds to Kaiser Chiefs‘ ‘I Predict A Riot’. A cheeky, throwaway nod to some local faves? Perhaps. But the pick let the packed-out crowd know exactly what they were in for. “I saw a bucket hat fly in the air: that felt like a necessary Leeds Festival tick-off,” said singer/guitarist Jimmy Bradbury later in the raucous, noisy set.

Highlights included the album’s infectious title track, breakout single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone…’ and a pub-band rendition of sea shanty-esque closer ‘In The Morning’. Westside Cowboy’s first visit to Bramham Park felt like a pivotal, must-see moment for the five-piece, who conjured up an irresistible gang spirit. Onwards! Check out our backstage interview with the band here. (TS)

Fontaines D.C. perform in loving memory

Fontaines D.C. live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

“It’s been a hard time for us the last couple of months,” Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten told the massive crowd gathered for their debut Reading headline set, emotional at the memory of their late manager and giant of the independent Irish music scene Trevor Dietz, who died in June. The words ‘Trevor Forever’ are scrawled on the side of one of their guitars, and Chatten has ‘Trev’ inked on one hand. Waving flags for Ireland and Palestine, they played with a full heart for the causes he fought for and the belief he had in them.

As ‘Favourite’ united the field in one big loving embrace, Fontaines celebrated their long journey to this deserved spot at the top of the bill as well as ushering in the ‘Dopamine Chamber’ era. You really felt those words, “But if there was lightning in me, then you know who it was for.”  Check out the full NME review of their set here. (AT)

Finessekid gets the moshpits going

Step into Reading’s The Canopy at a certain point on Saturday afternoon, and you would have been greeted by pure pandemonium. Nearly every song in Lambeth rapper Finessekid’s set was met with bodies bouncing against each other, the crowd constantly swarming left and right, forwards and backwards, as if being pulled as one by a giant magnet. ‘Semolina & Pounded Yam’ and ‘Said She Warn’ ramped up the chaos levels further, as chants of “us never dem” and Arsenal’s infamous “What do you think of Tottenham? Shit!” strengthened the bond between those present even more. When FK’s 30 minutes were up, the crowd tumbled back out into the field, fired up and ready to take on the rest of the day. (RD)

Violet Grohl overcomes illness with blistering Leeds debut 

Violet Grohl live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Making your R&L debut off the back of a bout of laryngitis isn’t ideal, but Violet Grohl is already a well-seasoned performer. She’s appeared on Glasto’s Pyramid Stage with dad Dave and played with some true greats. Still, the singer began her solo journey at Leeds on tiny stage The Canopy. Grohl exuded a cool, collected and unbothered attitude in place of any OTT rock’n’roll panache, kicking off with pummelling single ‘Bug In The Cake’.

Admittedly, she took time to grow into the set. “I apologise for my voice,” she said, though the extra gravel only added to her sludgy, desert sound. By the time we hit moody B-side ‘Swallowtail’, her powerful delivery fully eclipsed the band’s beefed-up instrumental. On the epic ‘Often Others’, Grohl unleashed some menacing howls of “paint it red!” Her verdict? “Such a fucking awesome experience.” Amen. (TS)

ADÉLA and Slayyyter prove they’re future pop royalty 

Adéla performing at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Reading & Leeds 2026 wasn’t short on pop icons, with the likes of Charli XCX and RAYE topping the bill. Lower down the line-up, there were some glimpses at potential future headliners and acts who look likely to dominate the pop landscape in the years to come.

ADÉLA’s set at The Gallery on Friday served up pop perfection – her presence, playfulness and talent making her the full package. Midway through her set, she darted off stage and returned with a nod to her background as a ballet dancer – half a white tutu pinned to the back of her denim shorts, and ballet shoes laced on her feet. Pirouettes and en pointe gave ‘DeathByDevotion’ an elegant new edge, proof that the Slovakian star has plenty of tricks up her sleeve.

Slayyyter live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

On Saturday, Slayyyter, another contender for future pop royalty, conquered the main stage. Through lashings of rain, she commanded the crowd to give her the reception she deserves, warning them: “Don’t piss me off.” But she had Reading under complete control, eliciting fervent reactions to ‘Brand New Chanel$’ and ‘Beat Up Chanel$’ as she more than justified the attention she’s received this year. Check out the full NME review of her set here. (RD)

Florence + The Machine turns Leeds into a big birthday bash

Florence + The Machine at Reading Festival 2026. CREDIT: Lillie Eiger

Florence + The Machine‘s long-overdue R&L headline slot was a double celebration. “I cannot think of a better crowd to spend my birthday with,” said Florence Welch, who turned 40 at Bramham Park. “Do we have any other sensitive Virgos in the house?” She worked her magic to summon a glorious, golden-hour sunset for the occasion, making hits like ‘Spectrum’ and ‘Dog Days…’ all the more bewitching. Some of the darker, twisted cuts from the ‘Everybody Scream’ tour were replaced by festival faves ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Rabbit Heart’.

In the audience, die-hards donned silver sparkly party hats. Later, the rush of an extended ‘Sympathy Magic’ felt otherworldly, before Welch made one final wish. “I would like you all to put your phones away,” she urged. “Don’t make me sad on my birthday.” By the end of ecstatic closer ‘Free’, it was clear she had a blast. (TS)

Viagra Boys are the grit in the oyster

Viagra Boys live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Swedish trouble-starters Viagra Boys find themselves in a funny spot on the bill. Not long after Sombr’s overblown rock tribute overblown beigefest and just before RAYE brought the big band Radio 2 vibes to The Grid, they were the grit in the oyster with an offer of something far less wholesome as the words ‘ENDLESS ANXIETY’ welcomed the young punks who flooded The Gallery tent.

After the fiery diatribe against modern times with ‘Man Made Of Meat’ got things going, the following set was a masterclass of controlled chaos featuring sax solos, push-ups, calls for a free Palestine, prayers to “a great big shrimp in the sky that we will live forever”, “SPORTS”, and countless circle pits and walls of death with Spider-Man himself at the heart of it all. One of the wildest sets of the weekend could also prove one for all time for those lucky enough to be amid that sweet madness. We still can’t stop smiling. Check out our backstage interview with the band here. (AT) 

Dave made Reading history

Dave at Reading Festival 2026. CREDIT: Andrew Timms

Dave had two formidable weapons in his arsenal for a Reading headline slot for the ages: dazzling talent and deep gratitude. The 28-year-old deployed pyro and fireworks, spat out frenetic raps, played piano and – if that weren’t enough – brought out special guests James Blake, Kano and Central Cee. It was his fourth appearance at the festival, having worked his way up the bill since 2017. “And here we are,” he marvelled. “To be able to co-headline and be here in front of you guys at Reading – I really don’t take it for granted… When I was a kid, I had a dream of just being able to stand on the stage and rap. And that was back when 100, 200 people would have been enough.” Check out the full NME review of his set here. (JB)

Blossoms say goodbye to Gary at Leeds

Blossoms‘ special guest slot, exclusive to Leeds, signalled the end of a storied chapter in the Stockport band’s career. Their now-beloved eight-foot fibreglass gorilla, Gary, bowed out for good. Say it ain’t so! He’d been a centrepiece to Tom Ogden and co’s live shows since their fifth album, ‘Gary’, with the group opening the slot up north with the summery title track.

But with new record ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’ out in October, Blossoms are sending the primate back into the wild (or to the garden centre). His fate was confirmed on drummer Joe Donovan’s T-shirt, reading: ‘Goodbye Gary’. On the bright side, their roadies must be pleased. (TS)

Speed send The Ballroom into chaos 

Speed live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

“I don’t give a single fuck about this barrier,” Speed singer Jem Siow roared to The Ballroom crowd, as the security stewards keeping guard between stage and crowd began to look nervous. “I need a thousand bodies on this barrier!”

The Reading audience quickly obliged, as wave after wave of crowd surfers gave security a run for their money, and kept the chaos going, following Siow’s every instruction. Soon, the tent was transformed into a mammoth circle pit as the hardcore band tore through tracks from their 2024 album ‘Only One Mode’ and recent single ‘All My Angels’. It was quite a sight beneath the tent’s new chandeliers and opulent velvet drapes – something Siow rightly described as adding a “bit of tension” to proceedings – but the Sydney group made the stage their own, even if it was worlds away from their normal habitat. (RD)

She’s Green give Reading’s final day a magical start 

She’s Green live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

“We’re all the way from Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the States, so this is pretty amazing for us to be here,” She’s Green’s Zofia Smith told The Canopy as Reading’s final day got going. The shoegaze band’s set was the perfect way to usher in the last day, easing the worse-for-wear crowd in with songs that start off softly, before delivering crunchy blows. The effect is pretty magical – not least when ‘Smile Again’ is accompanied by a single bubble floating over the audience, as if it’s been conjured up by the sheer prettiness of the performance itself. (RD)

Men I Trust make for a perfect Sunday escape

Men I Trust live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

You know that feeling, the weirdly comforting absence of mind and a numbness from the eyes down that comes with the last day of a festival – the sadness of hangxiety with the already joyous memories that brought it on? Stop crying. We’ve prescribed the perfect band to soothe all these symptoms, and a pretty chocka The Gallery tent were already wise to these doctor’s orders.

Canada’s Men I Trust held the tender-headed crowd in their laps with one gem of sweet and synthy dream pop after another, soothing with cuts from across their 12 years and six albums of honey-drizzled vocals, ’80s-leaning electro pop, six-stringed Johnny Marr accents and some wailing guitar queen prowess from frontwoman Emmanuelle Proulx. Imagine Japanese Breakfast via Fleetwood Mac and a hot air balloon to outer space, and you’re not far off. We thank them for this much-needed Sunday service. (AT) 

Radio Free Alice get wholesome in The Ballroom

Radio Free Alice live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Frontman Noah Learmonth might have rocked a white T-shirt emblazoned with the word “BRUTAL”, but Radio Free Alice’s midnight set on the Ballroom stage was a decidedly warm, open-hearted affair. The setting was somewhat genteel, too, given that chandeliers hung from the top of the tent. Bathed in their warm glow, the sizeable audience clapped along to indie sadbanger ‘Look What You’ve Done’, danced to the motorik rhythm of ‘Johnny’ and chanted the near-anthemic chorus of ‘Waste of Space’.

One lad near NME pogoed to the post-punk crunch of ‘I Gotta (Fall In Love)’ like it was 1978. “Thank you so much for watching,” Learmonth declared, sounding genuinely moved by the size of the audience and the chandelier-shaking ruckus they’d made for the band. Check out our backstage interview with the band here. (JB)

Jade throws a party 

Was there a more joyful hour at Reading 2026 than Jade’s fabulously feel-good party set on the main stage? The previous night, pop legend Charli XCX peppered her co-headline slot with existential bon mots such as “OBLIVION IS FREEDOM”; Jade went for a slightly different approach, projecting the word “FILTHY” over the video screens at the side of the stage. Those same screens screamed “LET THERE BE HOUSE” as the band rolled out the lithe funk of ‘Midnight Cowboy’, before she dedicated Little Mix’s spicy R&B sassfest ‘Wasabi’ to “any haters in the audience today”. By the time she closed with a euphoric ‘Angel of My Dreams’ (“This song probably got me onstage and I can’t wait to sing it for the rest of my life”), said haters would have been very hard to locate. (JB)

Bar Italia dazzle beneath the chandeliers

Bar Italia live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

The boujee decor of the revamped The Ballroom stage, formerly the Festival Republic tent, seems almost perfectly designed for the genre-straddling, Harry Styles-approved London trio Bar Italia. A classy and witchy romance and haze met an edge of scuzz and grunge that perfectly matched the chandeliers dangling in the filthy field.

There’s already a spectacle in the mysterious trio sharing vocal duties, all vying for the frontperson spotlight, but then there’s the drama that unfurls as their pop sensibilities wander from shoegaze to psych to rock to the pompy strut of Roxy Music, the roughness of Sleater Kinney and the jazzy unpredictability of The Sugarcubes. It was a pleasure to take this dance. (AT) 

Gunna melts our tiny minds

“Let’s keep this motherfucker rockin’ all night!” Gunna announced on the Gallery Stage, donning a diamond-encrusted necklace and what looked suspiciously like a leather waistcoat. The 33-year-old Southern hip-hop star opened with the glittering ‘Sakpace’, which set the tone for a relentless show packed with so many gold-plated hits that the rammed audience pulled out camera phones in force for almost every single one. If you were so inclined, you could probably sift through the internet and piece together the entire show.

Such time wouldn’t be wasted: after he swaggered down a walkway along the side of the stage, hopping down to get close to the front barrier, the set’s pummelling final third was truly mind-melting. “Can I keep goin’ in this motherfucker?” he asked. You wouldn’t bet against him. (JB)

Kneecap give us a closing party with an “Irish takeover” 

Kneecap live at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

“This is the Irish fucking takeover,” Mo Chara told The Gallery for Kneecap’s headline set to put one loud, lairy full-stop on the weekend at Reading. After using ‘Favourite’ by Friday’s main stage headliners Fontaines D.C. as their intro music – and it going down like ‘Mr Brightside’ at a boozy wedding – and the crowd going wild to a mere recording of Grian Chatten on their collab ‘Better Way To Live’, it seemed like the invasion from the Emerald Isle was complete.

Digging their flag deeper into the sodden ground with pit-opening ‘Fenian’, ‘H.O.O.D.’, and ‘The Recap’, Kneecap sent us on our way with an Andy Burnham and Netanyahu baiting rave-meets-rally where the worlds of The Prodigy, Public Enemy and The Chemical Brothers all burst out of one helluva lock-in. “This is our last festival of the summer,” ended Chara, “and it’s been a pleasure to spend it with you mad c**ts”. Same. Sayonara. (AT)

Revisit NME’s Reading & Leeds 2026 coverage here, featuring all the latest news, reviews, photos, interviews and more from the festivals.

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