US acts to headline Reading/Leeds

The Killers at the V Festival in Chelmsford last year

US bands dominate this year's Reading and Leeds festivals with Rage Against The Machine, The Killers and Metallica headlining the three nights.

Other US groups include Queens of the Stone Age and The Raconteurs.

The Editors and Dirty Pretty Things and Pete Doherty's Babyshambles are among the British bands in the line-up.

The event takes place at Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds from 22 to 24 August and tickets have gone on sale.

Rage Against The Machine are renowned for their political songs, which address human rights, capitalism and globalisation.

On sale

Brit award nominees The Killers last played at the festivals in 2005, shortly after the release of their debut album Hot Fuss.

Last year, the Las Vegas band headlined the V festival in Chelmsford and Staffordshire.

Babyshambles are to headline the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage along with Manic Street Preachers and The Cribs have also signed up to this summer's festivals.

In January, organiser Melvin Benn confirmed three US bands would be topping the bill but would not name them.

"Interesting this year is that - probably for the first time, in my memory - we're actually going with three American headliners," he said.

He also announced the festivals would no longer have a sponsor in their titles and he was not seeking a replacement for previous backer Carling.

Tickets for this year's festivals are available from the official websites.