Reading/Leeds Festivals under way

By Julian Marshall
Newsbeat online editor at Reading Festival

The Reading and Leeds Festivals have begun with early risers treated to sunshine in Reading but cloud in Leeds.

The event, which takes place annually on the August Bank holiday weekend in England, is due to run until Sunday evening in both venues.

Opening the Main stage in Reading were Antiflag, but their appearance coincided with a low-key acoustic set from Biffy Clyro.

They are due to play their official set later on Friday on the Main Stage.

The main band I want to see will be Pendulum. I imagine it is going to be amazing Matt Stockton

Their lunchtime show on the BBC Introducing stage included a cover of Rage Against The Machine's seminal track Killing in the Name.

Simon Neil told Jo Whiley they were excited to be playing at Reading and Leeds.

He said: "I think this is our sixth time here and it's always one of the best times of the summer.

"It's an amazing end to the summer. It's great. We're very excited."

Rage are due to headline the Main Stage on Friday evening, having reformed for a series of live shows.

Their first appearance at the festival was in 1993 and they returned to headline in 1996.

The first big crowd of the day was reserved for Dizzee Rascal, who played a mid-afternoon set on the main stage.

Spending most of the gig stripped to the waist, the Mercury nominated rapper played a greatest hits set including I Luv U, Fix Up, Look Sharp, Sirens and closing with recent number one single Dance Wiv Me.

Speaking from the main stage, he thanked the crowd for making him a chart topper.

Ticket problems

Despite the fact that some fans discovered this week they would be unable to get to the event because they had bought tickets from unofficial sources, those who did make it to the festival are looking forward to three days of music.

18-year-old Matt Stockton from Essex told Newsbeat: "The main band I want to see will be Pendulum. I imagine it is going to be amazing.

Between 70,000-80,000 fans are expected at both sites

"I'm not sure whether I would go to see Rage Against the Machine, but everybody I know is telling me to go see them."

Shaun Chimber, 23, said he isn't interested in seeing Rage against the Machine.

He added: "I'm here all weekend and I've got my list of who I want to see. Tonight it is Queens of the Stone Age and then over to see Babyshambles.

"I saw Pete Doherty play at a festival in Spain earlier in the summer and he was good there, so I am looking for more of the same tonight."

Big bands

Between 70,000 to 80,000 fans are expected to descend on both sites over the three days.

Throughout the weekend Bloc Party, Manic Street Preachers, The Enemy, The Raconteurs and We Are Scientists will rock the main stage with headliners Rage Against The Machine, The Killers and Metallica while Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Foals, The Ting Tings and Santogold will appear on the Radio 1/NME stage.

Metallica headline Leeds on Friday and Reading on Sunday

Over on the Festival Republic stage, Glasvegas, Wiley, Does It Offend You, Yeah? Ida Maria, Black Kids and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip will be appearing.

CSS, Simian Mobile Disco, Crystal Castles and Lethal Bizzle will also take to the Dance Stage through the weekend.

Broken Records, Wintermute, The Wallbirds, Dinosaur Pile-Up and recent Dance To The Radio signings Grammatics will also be appearing on the BBC Introducing stage.

This is the first year the stage, which showcases a host of new up and coming acts, has featured at the three-day event.