Leading names in music are set to return to Leeds Festival at the end of the month. The festival returns to Bramham Park for its seventeenth year, with The Libertines, Mumford & Sons and Metallica headlining. The festival offers fans the chance to see both established and up-and-coming bands over seven stages.

The acclaimed rock duo will take to the main stage again this year as well as festival organiser Melvin Benn’s pick for this year – Bring Me The Horizon. The stage is filled with rock, indie and metal bands, but this in no way defines the stage’s genre which also features hip-hop’s Kendrick Lamar and will be home to Bastille’s indie-pop tracks.

The 20,000 capacity NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage is home to bigger acts such as Deadmau5, Limp Bizkit and Rebel Sound this year, whereas the Festival Republic Stage is the place to go for up-and-coming musicians who are usually at the breakthrough points of their career. Gracing the BBC Introducing Stage will be a selection of both local and unsigned talent, featuring winners for the Futuresound competition during which bands fought for a slot at the festival.

The BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage and BBC Radio 1Xtra Stages both offer an alternative to the festival’s rockier roots, which are as present as ever in The Pit and the Lock Up Stage. Or for those wishing to take a break from the music, The Alternative Stage is home to comedians and MCs across the weekend.

Over the years, the festival’s ability to cater for a more diverse range of tastes and book the most popular and exciting bands of the year, is ultimately what has brought Leeds Festival success. This year looks set to do exactly the same.

Day and weekend tickets are available here.

 

Catherine Dowie

photo: Victor Frankowski