Black Rebel Motorcycle Club step in

Following the cancellation by the White Stripes, Festival promoters Mean Fiddler have announced that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will take the slot they vacated for this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals. The band will play the Main Stage before headliners Blur on Saturday 23rd August at Reading Festival and Sunday 24th August at Leeds Festival.

The press release from the Festivals organisers go on to say:
"I am sure that everyone going to the festivals will join us in wishing Jack a speedy recovery and we look forward to the White Stripes returning to headline at the 2004 Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals."

So, that looks like one of next year's headliners is sorted already. When Eminem pulled out in 2000 he came back in 2001 to headline.

No information is available as to any replacement - or even if they'll definitely be one. The press releasae says:
"Whilst we cannot replace the irreplaceable we hope to add to what is already a great bill on the Saturday at the Reading site and the Sunday at the Leeds site alongside recent Top 10 debutees The Darkness and The Thrills amongst others."

There are rumours that the Manic Street Preachers may replace them, although a similar rumour for T in the Park turned out to be false.

In other news, according to their website the Lostprophets have also pulled out, due to recording commitments.


Both the Reading and Leeds Festivals have a line-up that includes Linkin Park, Blur, Metallica, Blink 182, Placebo, Beck, Doves, System of a Down, Sum 41, Primal Scream, The Darkness and loads more. For the full list of the confirmed acts, click here for Reading and here for Leeds.

Reading Festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend of Friday 22nd August until Sunday 24 August along with the simultaneous Leeds Festival.

Reading Festival takes place Little John's Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, nr Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Tickets are priced at £95 for the weekend (including camping) and £40 for any day. Just Friday tickets for Reading are still available.

To buy tickets for Reading Festival click here.

To buy tickets for Leeds Festival click here.

Latest Updates