Reading and Leeds: Women Who Could Headline in the Upcoming Years
In less than a month a supposedly fresh Reading and Leeds armed with six headliners across two main stages returns delighting fans who have been stuck indoors unable to attend such spectacles for the past 16 months. Unfortunately the names at the top of the bill see no women headlining the festival, far from the fresh look Festival Republic were hoping for.
Bjork in 1995 was the last and only solely female act to headline Reading and Leeds. Garbage in 1998, The White Stripes in 2004, Arcade Fire in 2010 and Paramore in 2014 all contain women band members who have headlined and that is it. This is a disgrace.
No longer do you require a lengthy search to find headline worthy female based artists. Women don’t just dominate the mainstream across all genres, they are consistently creating the most original and influential sounds that are already defining this generation and ones to come. Greater representation at Reading and Leeds, the second largest music event in the UK, is desperately required. Below are numerous artists, some admittedly more unlikely than others, who more than deserve a headline slot in the coming years, particularly if Melvin Benn and Co continue with the six headliner structure.
Florence and the Machine: Somehow these indie rock and pop sweethearts have never headlined Reading and Leeds. Led by the infectious Florence Welch, their music is as timeless and joyous today as it ever has been. They are impossible to dislike.
This was elucidated in 2015 when they gloriously headlined Glastonbury after Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl broke his leg. Whether the organisers decide to stick with six headliners or return to three is remained to be seen, but if six acts did top the bill, Florence and her pals would be the perfect family friendly yet still universally adored headliner. The only worry is that Reading and Leeds is a festival ‘for the kids’ and the band’s target audience may not be those coming straight out of their GCSEs. There’s a reason they haven’t played the festival since 2012. Nevertheless, Florence and the Machine are not only deserving of such a slot, their live performance would dazzle all ages. Not many would complain about a Florence singalong.
Wolf Alice: This is perhaps the most confident prediction I have in this list. Wolf Alice are a band on the periphery of greatness after their third and first number one album Blue Weekend which will take a monster effort to knock it off the top spot for my album of the year. I have already talked about Wolf Alice before on this blog because they simply deserve all the plaudits they get and this new album has compelled me to realise they’re the best UK band around. All three albums ebb and flow from punk to pop to arena indie rock without feeling awkward, transporting listeners into a cinematic and emotional realm. In all genres and styles, they create beautiful but savagely euphoric music.
Their critical acclaim, including winning the 2018 Mercury Prize landed them a headline position at Latitude last weekend, branded by Ali Shutler of the Independent as a “flawless” performance indicating “the future of British rock is in safe hands,” whilst they play high up on the main stage at Reading and Leeds in 2021. This is a position they will prove to be too big for (I love him him but are they really below Gerry Cinnamon?) and with the release of their fourth LP alongside many more UK headline appearances, Wolf Alice will be demanding the top spot from Melvin Benn. Lead singer and songwriter Ellie Rowsell is the only women in the fourpiece but still her angelic vocals would and will light up the main stage this year and beyond. I’m sure of it.
HAIM: Another band I’ve talked about before in the blog are these three Los Angeles sisters and their eponymously titled kooky band HAIM. The Fleetwood Mac influences are everywhere in the trio’s work, who give the classic indie-folk and pop-rock core an r&b twist, certainly providing a fresh sound for the upcoming decade. In America they’re massive, collaborating with Taylor Swift and Vampire Weekend following the release of their third and superior album Women in Music, Part III in 2020 which was lauded by critics.
With an approaching UK arena tour, their moment into the British music scene as household names seems to be likely in the 2020s. They were also meant to headline Latitude 2020 but of course we all know why that unfortunately didn’t happen. Hopefully after dominating arenas in the autumn and a few more slots at the top of UK lineups, the Haim sisters will be more than ready to go one better than headlining the Radio 1 tent as they did in 2017.
Jorja Smith: In her short career Smith has already achieved so much, with her polished 2018 debut album Lost & Found resulting in a GRAMMY nomination and claiming her second Brit Award for Best Female. Her latest EP released earlier this year continued the intimate r&b and pop blend with further ballads and greater string instrumentation. She certainly takes influence from Amy Winehouse but there’s a modern, punchy underbelly that makes her adept to headlining major festivals.
This is evident as she plays some of her grandest shows to date this summer, headlining All Points East and Boardmasters alongside the mighty Foals and Gorillaz that are practically auditions to front the Reading and Leeds poster. After her next couple of albums she could be a superstar and would fit perfectly as the cool, calm but assured headliner beside some rock legends.
London Grammar: Playing with Jorja Smith as co-headliners at All Points East are London Grammar fronted by Hannah Reid who often are overlooked by fans. They have released three stellar albums that boast a celestial, dreamy indie pop with their latest two charting at number one. With this momentum I wouldn’t be stunned to see them playing larger festival shows, especially following their upcoming UK arena tour.
It’s this unique sound and persistent hard work that for sure suits a (relatively) relaxing Sunday night slot accompanied by illuminating lights and teary-eyed tired campers. With another album, more headlining experience and further collaborations with the likes of 2021 bill-topper Disclosure, they, like Jorja Smith, would be an ideal headliner adjacent to a more traditional fan favourite act on the poster. Let’s see how their arena tour goes first.
Honourable Mentions
Paramore/Hayley Williams: Their latest 2017 album saw a completely new musical direction for these Americans who always seem to be chopping and changing their lineup. But with rumours of a sixth album bubbling to the surface, they could be in line to make their second headline appearance.
Beabadoobee: Playing on the mainstage this year, Beabadoobee has a real chance to impress with her indie-pop-punk blend. By the end of the decade we could see her gain enough attention to headline but only time will tell.
Dua Lipa: Her latest and strongest album proved she could be alternative enough to headline a traditional rock festival and did play on the mainstage in 2018. Dua Lipa would sell tickets but also be a highly controversial poppier selection at the peak of the poster.
CHVRCHES: One that a few years ago seemed likely and with the release of new music this year, Lauren Mayberry and Co could still headline with a few strong synth-pop numbers. The question is whether they’re popular enough to top the bill in the 2020s.
Little Simz: An outsider pick on my list who never fails to put on a show and finds herself drawn to big collaborations which is why she gets a mention. With a string of commercially successful albums the London rapper could be in the mix but currently has a long way to go before being considered.
Charli XCX: Is probably headliner worthy considering her successful past few years but whether her dance-pop with an alternative twist suits Reading and Leeds is the only query.
Being Idealistic
Billie Eilish: Arguably the hottest act on the planet as demonstrated by the record crowd attendance when she played in 2019, Eilish would be a massive coup for the festival but by now she surely has outgrown the festival.
Lana Del Ray: Lana’s songwriting dominated the 2010s, making her one of the most prolific acts around. Perhaps too much of an unconventional mainstream sound for Reading and Leeds but don’t be surprised to see her don the Pyramid Stage in the next few years.
Phoebe Bridgers: Bridgers has the potential to become one of the greatest artists of our age, pioneering the soft bedroom indie pop sound on festival mainstages. She wouldn’t exactly suit Reading and Leeds but an appearance would certainly sell tickets.
Lorde: Before Eilish, Lorde was the biggest musical influence in the world provoking considerably slower tempos in chart hits following her arrival in the mid 2010s. The same sort of concerns exist however. Is she too big? Does she fit the Reading and Leeds headliner slot?
Lizzo: A glorious pop performer who akin to Dua Lipa is just about alternative enough to pull off a Reading and Leeds headline show. There are too many unanswered questions though, such as how successful her next album will be and whether Reading and Leeds appeals to her, the fans and the festival. Yet more promisingly she has been booked for some major American festivals.
SZA: Another whose only issue could be that she’s not traditionally very Reading and Leeds but with her alternative r&b and soul that verges on indie at times as well as her ever increasing global status she could follow in the likes of Post Malone and be that big mainstream artist that will sell tickets. Needs more UK appearances to establish herself though.
