SOGGY STAGES AND A STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP WRAP UP A NEW ERA FOR LEEDS FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL REVIEW | LEEDS FESTIVAL 2026 | SUNDAY 30th August 2026 by Gracie Erskine

A super-soaker weekend, a closed stage and a Sunday; Leeds Festival 2026 may have had some rocky moments, but the final day didn’t half make up for it. 

The recent stage re-hash sparked some controversy between the Reading and Leeds regulars. Particularly with the removal of the BBC Introducing stage, some argued it excluded rising artists from the major festival. However, this opinion couldn’t be further from the truth. The newly redesigned stages still allowed for local, up and coming bands to flaunt their talent, just this time, on much cooler stages.

Basht.

The Ballroom tent has got to be one of the snazziest set ups for a festival. The chandeliers dangling from the peaks, red draping across, and some of the best artists at the front of it all – it’s certainly one for the books. Early afternoon takers were Dublin quintet Basht, swaggering through the most indulgent, guitar-driven layers with such intense delivery. The band sank into their set, relishing the ecstasy of the performance. It was one of those grunge-infused euphoric waves of music that knock you suddenly in their sound. 

Gurriers

And in a similar vein, deriving from the emerging post-punk scene in Ireland, Gurriers. Little explanation is needed because, if you know, you know. The band’s live performances are the most chaotic yearning catharsis. Immediately, frontman Dan Hoff teetered on the edge of the stage, godlike, basking in the brewing raucousness of the crowd. The rest of the band loomed like disciples, antagonising the fans with a readying wait.

Ripping into the first track, electric and vivacious, greasing up the crowd for the oncoming tsunami of madness. Hoff lunged into the crowd as fans ran circles around an ever widening mosh-pit. Engrossed in carnage, the rifling unity exposed a true hunger for music that’s rarely seen. 

Sombr

From raw bite and crowd surfing to something slightly more mellow over on The Grid. American sensation Sombr swindled a full 180 on those who may have had their apprehensions. The breakout star’s target audience may be screaming fangirls, but the gratitude from the man diminishes any kind of presupposed opinion of him. He might be ironically (or not) obsessed with his appearance, mewing into the camera and strutting across the stage.

However, his humble ways shone through as he sprinted up and down all million and one cordoned-off pens, hugging and meeting his fans through the 10-minute instrumental breakdown of ‘back to friends’. It was quite a touching moment; these quick but pure embraces with the fans truly provided an embarrassingly new experience of welling up at a nepo baby.

Unfortunately, his kindness induced the abrupt pulling of the plug on his set. Closing track ‘12 to 12’ was emitted into silence, unbeknownst to the band until Sombr paced the stage, ridden with anger. Regardless of the singer’s obvious craftsmanship in his performance, his warm personality aided a newfound respect.

Jamie Webster

The Gallery hosted Scouse favourite Jamie Webster – the man truly is marmite. The sudden downpour from the heavens helped to pack out his tent, but it wasn’t quite translating with the youth. Undoubtedly, passionate fans of the Liverpudlian singer sang arms wide down at the front. Yet between all the piss-poor political opinions between every song, the man becomes irritating. If you’re going to incessantly talk politics, do it with some substance. Magnolia, generic, and jejune phrases wedged between songs of a similar fashion really don’t aid one’s image.

Raye

Alas, the first of two headliners dawned back on the main stage. Singer-songwriter and radio sensation Raye delved into her expansive catalogue. The London nightingale has been on the scene for a while, grafting away at the tracks of others. Breakout tune ‘Escapism’ helped to catapult her into the spotlight, and Sunday’s performance proved that is exactly where she needs to be.

Breaking the set into two halves: one of velvety vocals and elegance, then switch that ‘Y’ to a ‘V’ and then honey, you’ve got yourself a raVe. Back to the singer’s roots, in a slightly restrictive dress, Raye bounced around the stage, hyping up the crowd, showcasing her eclectic catalogue. 

The closing day of Leeds Fest 2026, persevering through all its wet difficulties, still managed to prove why it’s at the forefront of UK festivals. Providing crucial slots to new bands throughout the day and pulling exclusive performances on the main stage, it’s hard not to return, and even harder not to have a good time.

Reading & Leeds will return on Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th August 2027.

Presale tickets for Reading & Leeds 2027 will be available on Friday 4th September at 10am BST. General sale begins on Friday 11th September at 10am BST. Fans are encouraged to register now to gain first access to 2027 tickets.

Register now at www.readingandleedsfestival.com.