WITH LESS THAN 100 DAYS TO GO; READING & LEEDS LAUNCHES THE AUX, A FIRST OF ITS KIND LIVE STAGE FOR THE UK’S PIONEERING DIGITAL CREATORS

MAX BALEGDE & GEORGE CLARKE // ANTICS WITH ASHAYAMÉ PONDER // M1PODCAST //PLUS MORE TBA

Rockstar Energy presents Reading and Leeds Festival, with less than 100 days to go, announce a new stage The Aux, a first-of-its-kind live platform for the best and most popular digital content creators shaping today’s culture.

The UK’s most renowned festivals, Reading & Leeds, synonymous with breaking legendary acts and hosting iconic performances, are set to welcome an entirely new set of performers with the introduction of a brand-new stage for 2024; The Aux. This stage will feature a digital content creator-led lineup for the first time at a music festival, highlighting some of today’s most popular and culturally relevant personalities and providing a new platform in the live sector.

Located in the main arena of both festivals, The Aux will offer festival-goers a mix of live podcasts, interactive talks, streams, and hands-on activities, with no filter and no topic off limits. Currently confirmed for the stage are The Useless Hotline, Antics With Ash, In Ayamé We Trust, and the M1Podcast, making The Aux the place to bridge the gap between the digital world and live entertainment.

Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic said: “The relevance and impact that this new generation of creators has on our culture and audience is undeniable. The Aux stage is a platform to move their brilliant and innovative work onto a live stage. Music and digital innovation have always gone hand in hand, and this is a new and exciting moment where the online world can connect with the offline, and our audiences can get a bit closer to the faces and voices they know and love. We have supported and championed musicians from emerging talent to headliners and we hope The Aux will play a part in doing just that for those who are transforming entertainment too.”

The first ever acts announced for The Aux include the charismatic and chaotic Max Balegde and comedic personality George Clarke both renowned for their podcast The Useless Hotline, which has captivated audiences by answering listeners’ queries and dilemmas no matter how big, small, weird, or embarrassing. Ash Holme will bring a live version of Antics with Ash, where nothing is off limits, chaos is embraced, and tomfoolery is encouraged. Expect the unexpected with a large helping of hilarity.

Ayamé Ponder is a content creator, presenter and podcast host with a global following, known for her viral TikTok videos and hilarious skits. In 2023 Ayamé launched her podcast ‘In Ayamé We Trust’, and quickly rose to prominence in its first six episodes and this summer she brings it to a live stage for the first time. The M1 Podcast is coming to The Aux, Manchester’s finest hosted by Mordz, SK and BillyTheGoat and is known for platforming rappers, off-the-cuff freestyles as well as huge laughs, it’s set to be a lively set for M1’s debut live show.

Reading & Leeds are always looking at innovative new ways to showcase the best of music and youth culture, and The Aux will also give audiences the opportunity to connect with those they spend countless hours with online, in a more intimate setting at the festival, capturing these special moments, produce content that fans can watch back online and enjoy even when they might not be at the festival.

Joining the line-up this week: The Useless Hotline, Antics With Ash, In Ayamé We Trust, The M1 Podcast and many more to be announced.