Reading Festival looks to secure license to become four-day live music event
Reading Festival has reportedly applied for a license to allow it to become a four-day live music event.
While the annual event, which is again set to take place next month, is open to ticket-holders for five days per year, they currently only have a license for live music on the main stage for three days.
This year, its sister festival in Leeds will be headlined by Kasabian on the Thursday night, but due to Reading’s license, they do not have a headliner on that day, and the Leicester band will not appear at the event.
However, in the future, this may change. According to BBC News, Festival Republic, the organisers of Reading Festival, have applied for amplified music to be added to its licence on Thursdays from 17:00pm until midnight.
The licence application only relates to the main stage at Reading rather than the whole of the festival. If approved, it would come into effect from 2027.
Organisers are also seeking an extension of the hours they can sell alcohol.
This year, Reading is due to commence between August 27th and August 30th, and will be headlined by Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence and The Machine, Fontaines DC and Raye.
Other acts set to appear at both Reading and Leeds include Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, Jade, Josh Baker, Kneecap, Kettama, Geese, Skye Newman, Adéla, and Keo.
Reading will also receive a sprinkling of exclusive acts that won’t appear at Leeds, including Gunna, Loyle Carner, Men I Trust and Viagra Boys.
Additionally, for dance music fans, Reading and Leeds will both introduce the purpose-built The Warehouse for 2026. Sets including Max Dean b2b Luke Dean (Reading only), Hybrid Minds, Skepta b2b Prospa set to take place in Reading.
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