Richfield Avenue is about to get loud. Really loud. If you've been tracking the Reading Festival 2025 lineup, you already know the vibe is shifting. This isn't just another weekend of muddy boots and expensive burgers. It's a massive passing of the torch. For the first time in a long while, the average age of the headliners has plummeted. Melvin Benn, the man behind Festival Republic, basically said it himself: this is about the voices defining a new generation.
It's a gutsy move.
Some veterans might grumble about the lack of "heritage" rock, but honestly? The energy is undeniable. We are looking at a weekend where Irish soul, Missouri pop, Sheffield metalcore, and Houston rap collide. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what Reading should be.
The Heavy Hitters: 2025 Headliners Explained
Let's talk about the big four. You've got Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me The Horizon, and Travis Scott.
Hozier is a fascinating pick. He’s closing out the Unreal Unearth era, and this is his first-ever UK festival headline slot. Think about that. The man who gave us "Take Me to Church" has waited this long to top the bill at Richfield. It's going to be a spiritual experience, or at least as close as you can get to one while standing in a field in Berkshire.
Then there’s Chappell Roan. If you haven't heard "Good Luck, Babe!" on a loop for the last six months, where have you even been? Her rise has been meteoric—sorta like a fever dream. This is her only headline show in England for the whole year. It’s a massive exclusive. The "Midwest Princess" is officially royalty now.
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The Rock and the Rage
Bring Me The Horizon are the hometown heroes. Well, Sheffield heroes, but you get it. Oli Sykes has promised the "greatest show" of their careers. This is it for them—their final European show of the NEX GEN campaign before they go on a bit of a hiatus. If you miss this, you’re waiting a long time to see them again.
Finally, Travis Scott. Love him or hate him, the man brings chaos. This is his only European date in 2025. When he played in 2018, the crowd was one of the biggest the festival had ever seen. Expect "SICKO MODE" to turn the main stage into a literal earthquake.
Friday: The Indie-Pop Takeover
Friday is looking like the day for the "it" girls and the indie stalwarts. The Reading Festival 2025 lineup kicks off with a heavy dose of nostalgia mixed with fresh blood.
- Hozier (Headliner)
- Chappell Roan (The "Sub" that's basically a co-headliner)
- The Kooks (The "Naive" singalong is mandatory)
- Wallows
- Bloc Party (Doing an "Icon Slot" to celebrate their legacy)
- The Royston Club
Bloc Party being there is a nice touch. They’re basically festival furniture at this point, but the "Icon Slot" gives them the respect they deserve. It's a smart way to keep the older crowd happy while the Gen Z fans wait for Chappell.
Saturday: Metal, Moshpits, and Limp Bizkit
If Friday is for dancing, Saturday is for surviving the pit.
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Bring Me The Horizon are the main event, obviously. But the support is wild. Limp Bizkit are on the bill. Yes, in 2025. Fred Durst is back to remind everyone how to "Break Stuff." It’s going to be incredibly nostalgic and probably a little bit ridiculous.
Enter Shikari are also stepping up. They’ve played Reading more times than most people have had hot dinners, but this is their highest-ever billing. They’re basically the house band of the festival at this point. Expect lasers, politics, and a lot of jumping.
Sunday: The Hip-Hop Finale
Sunday leans hard into the rap and R&B world. Travis Scott is the big draw, but the undercard is stacked with names like D-Block Europe, Trippie Redd, and Sammy Virji.
One name you shouldn't sleep on is Amyl and The Sniffers. They are pure, unadulterated punk energy. If Travis Scott is the "Circus Maximus," Amyl is the street fight outside the gates. It’s a great bit of programming that keeps the "Rock" in Reading and Leeds.
The "New" Stages: Chevron and Beyond
The Chevron Stage is where the dance and electronic vibes live. Sammy Virji, DJ EZ, and Rudimental are all set to turn it into a massive outdoor club. It’s a different vibe from the main stage, often more consistent in terms of energy.
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Also, keep an eye on the BBC Introducing Stage. That’s where you find the people who will be headlining in five years. Names like Chanel Yates and Overpass are already generating buzz. It’s the best place to escape the main stage crowds and actually discover something new.
Quick Logistics Check
The festival runs from August 21 to August 24, 2025. Reading is at Richfield Avenue, and Leeds is at Bramham Park. They swap the lineups over the weekend, so if you’re in Leeds, your Friday is Reading’s Sunday. Simple, right? Sorta.
Tickets are always a nightmare. General sale started way back in December 2024, and by now, you’re looking at resale or the last few remaining day tickets. If you’re camping, prepare for the "White Car Park" trek—it’s a rite of passage for a reason.
What Most People Get Wrong About Reading
People keep saying "Reading isn't a rock festival anymore."
Honestly? They’re wrong. It’s a youth festival. It always has been. Back in the day, that meant Nirvana. Today, it means Travis Scott and Chappell Roan. The genre doesn't matter as much as the cultural weight. If you look at the Reading Festival 2025 lineup, you see a festival that knows its audience is changing. It's staying relevant by leaning into the artists that people are actually streaming.
Your Festival Game Plan
- Download the App: They update the set times last minute. Don't be the person wandering around asking "When does Hozier start?"
- The "Icon" Slot is Non-Negotiable: Watch Bloc Party. Even if you only know "Banquet," their live energy is better than 90% of the new acts.
- Hydrate at the Chevron: That stage gets hot. Like, dangerously hot. Use the water points.
- Embrace the Clash: You will miss someone you want to see. It’s fine. Pick the artist you've never seen live over the one you've seen three times.
- Secure Your Travel: If you're a day ticket holder, remember there's no access from the White Car Park to the Green Day Gate. Use the shuttle boats or the town car parks. Don't get stranded.
The 2025 edition feels like a turning point. It's younger, pop-heavier, and focused on exclusives. Whether you're there for the mosh pits or the "Hot To Go" dance, it's going to be a loud weekend.