Reading and Leeds 2021: Who are the Best Indie Artists Making Their Main Stage Debuts?
Reading and Leeds is famous for giving lesser known artists opportunities on big stages, elevating their careers into UK festival mainstays. On this year’s lineup it wasn’t long ago since the likes of Wolf Alice, Sam Fender and even headliner Catfish and the Bottlemen were tucked into the Festival Republic Tent and now they’re sitting pretty in their big branded bold letters at the top of the poster. Especially this year with two Main Stages, some smaller acts have unmissable opportunities to make a real impact through their first appearances on the hallowed Main Stage.
Sports Team: These cheeky Cambridge graduates have been unfortunate to release their debut album during 2020 meaning they’re yet to play their glorious record live. Deep Down Happy is a hilarious and fun LP, one of the albums of last year that wittily oozes in Betjeman-esque criticisms of middle class Britain: of privileged white men in suit and ties who’ll “never buy a drink but he’ll let you know he can.” The six piece no doubt draw inspiration from Blur and Pulp as well as early noughties heroes The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys, generating a quintessentially British sound. This year they’ll bring all their raucous energy to the Main Stage, a slot which will finally able them to spread their music to a grand audience lost due to COVID.
Having said that, they have done their best to make themselves heard. Talismanic frontman Alex Rice has written articles rallying support for festivals and concert venues during the pandemic whilst drummer Al Greenwood has been outspoken in her treatment as the only female member of the band in an androcentric industry. The group doesn’t shy away from controversy either, slyly taunting fellow bands in interviews and encouraging a chart battle with Lady Gaga that drew up a Twitter frenzy. Their audacious attitude and sound alludes to the peak of Britpop’s band rivalries, so much so they wouldn’t be out of place on the frontpage of a mid-nineties NME issue. This will be the biggest show they’ve ever played, and my word are they bound to do something outrageous. Whatever it is and however they achieve it, this is their moment.
>For fans of: Pulp, Blur, The Libertines and anything from the emerging post-Brexit post-punk revival (Fontaines D.C., Squid, Shame etc.)
Beabadoobee: One of those given a chance on her Reading and Leeds debut is versatile newcomer Beabadoobee, or Bea Kristi Laus, following the release of her debut album Fake It Flowers last year. Having obtained an online following through Youtube and TikTok with her soft bedroom indie-pop and acoustic lullabies, her album is a more assured grungy alt-rock affair that teases listeners with nineties nostalgia. She hasn’t stopped there either with her fourth EP released this year taking influence from ‘Dirty Hit’ colleagues The 1975 (who she supported on arena tours last year) and is the classic jangling indie we’ve grown to love.
With the industry backing she has and the range of tunes that audiences can both mosh-out and weep to, there’s no doubt this could be defining moment for her the very beginning of her career, increasing her fanbase besides the loyal core garnered from internet exposure. At only 21 there’s a sense her sound is still developing. With support from the ‘Dirty Hit’ machine and her gloriously progressive outspoken voice that desires to encourage more women to lead the way in the rock world we can expect the final product to be a festival mainstay for years to come.
>For fans of: The 1975, Girl In Red, Clairo, Dominic Fike and any nineties alt-rock (Elastica, Smashing Pumpkins etc.)
Inhaler: Imagine how many times these four Irish lads have had to answer questions about Bono in interviews given lead singer Elijah Hewson is his son. After the year they’re having, unfortunately comparisons will be a constant in their careers, with their debut album charting at number one in the UK and Ireland, a phenomenal achievement so rarely done by a straight up indie rock and roll band in the modern era. Besides The Snuts earlier this year and Blossoms five years ago, rock groups just don’t achieve number one with their first albums anymore, demonstrating the astonishing hype surrounding these guys. Fortunately they have recently been announced as a late addition to the lineup, a chance to prove that arenas beckon on their first Reading and Leeds performance.
Whilst vocally Hewson sounds very similar to his father and they are four Irish lads playing rock songs, there’s tinges of buzzing synths that wouldn’t sit out of place twenty years ago rather than in the glory days of U2, with all their songs easy on the ears and they thrive during more emotive, psychedelic dreamy narratives, this Main Stage slot will merely be a stepping stone onto greater success and boy do they have the swagger to go with it.
>For fans of: Blossoms, The Killers, Catfish and the Bottlemen
Easy Life: Leicester’s finest have built an adoring young following and this youthful energy means they are the perfect Reading and Leeds act to be pushed onto the Main Stage. After a succession of EPs, they released their eagerly anticipated debut this year; a record we’ve been waiting an age for. Whilst I don’t personally think the album is as interesting and eclectic as their older projects, they are too much of an exciting and admirable artist to miss out on.
As a Leicester lad, I may be biased but their whole discography is plain and simply a ball of fun: the tropical ice cream on a hot day, the extra fizz in your drink. Even if the blend of pop-rap-r&b and jazz doesn’t appeal to the more experienced crowd members, these lads are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, a tap in your foot and a bop in your head. The latest album doesn’t blow you away. But like they did on Thursday night at Leeds 2019, they have the live demeanour to execute a gutsy Main Stage show.
>For fans of: Bad Sounds, Jamie T, Oliver Tree
Sea Girls: Like Sports Team, Sea Girls had the misfortune of releasing their debut during the troubles of 2020, but have always felt like a band that defines Reading and Leeds. A band overflowing with summery singalongs and sweaty anthems. The kind of band who will never be anyone’s all time favourite but one that radiates infectious energy and never disappoints with a drink in your hand. In style and sound I think they’ll claim The Wombats throne of being that likable band not many will dare miss out on because of the inevitably joyous atmosphere emanating from the set even if the music isn’t out of this world.
Being the third year in a row where they’re set to play the festival, this proves they’re making a sodden patch of British turf in the summer their territory right at the beginning of their careers. Singles ‘Call Me Out,’ ‘All I Want To Hear You Say’ and ‘Damage Done’ are just a few of their best that are practically designed for moments like these, with their delightful radio-friendly indie-rock set to be on powerful display. We’ve been inside for so long and the best place for a dance all weekend is right here. Don’t miss out!
>For fans of: The Wombats, The Killers, Circa Waves, Bastille
Conclusion
The main benefit of this year’s two Main Stage structure will be to see if these highly tipped acts are ready for such imposing slots. It tests who are potential festival mainstays and headliners. These five not only have the backing from the music industry and are all at crucial moments having just released their debut albums, but they remind me of the likes of The Wombats, Two Door Cinema Club and The Kooks; those classic British bands who may not be the most sonically innovative but my word prove their worth in muddy fields during festival season. Going by my title I could’ve gone with Sam Fender, Declan McKenna, Gerry Cinnamon, Wolf Alice or even Catfish as those making their Reading and Leeds Main Stage debuts. But these smaller gems not adorned in their own branding on the poster have points to prove at earlier stages of their careers. These lot are hungry to stay which is why it’s worth getting to the arena early to watch their careers unfold in front of your eyes. They cannot be missed.
