Jon McIldowie joins Festival Republic

The new Reading and Leeds festival booker has been announced as Jon McIldowie who replaces Neil Pengelly who stepped down from Festival Republic last month.

Jon McIldowie was the event director and co-founder of The Great Escape. He has been promoting gigs and clubs since the age of 16, first in his home town of Birmingham and then as a student in Liverpool before moving to London. In 1999 Jon joined the Barfly Club as assistant and then Head Promoter for the London venue. Jon has then moved into the position of Promotions Director as part of MAMA Group. In 2006 Jon jointly founded The Great Escape Festival and Convention and in recent years has overseen the event in addition to tour and festival booking including Lovebox, and Wilderness.

Jon, who takes up his new role today, said "After 12 incredible years with MAMA it's time for a new challenge. I've grown up with Reading & Leeds and look forward to joining the team at Festival Republic to play a part in the next chapter of one of the world's most important live music events."

Festival boss Melvin Benn added, "I am very pleased to announce that Jon will be joining the team at Festival Republic and taking Reading & Leeds Festivals forward into 2013 and beyond. This is an exciting time for the festivals, with a fresh look for next year, and I can’t wait to start working with Jon to ensure both Reading & Leeds remain the highlight of the festival season for many years to come."

No acts have been announced yet for next year's twin Reading and Leeds festivals which take place on the bank holiday weekend, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August. Although Benn has hinted at perhaps releasing the name of a headliner before Christmas. Organisers will also be changing the arena at Reading and Leeds quite significantly, adding up to three new stages, and offering a lot more diversity of music.

Reading Festival takes place at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Presale tickets are no longer available. Weekend and day tickets will be available again on Friday 30th November 2012, and eFestivals will have links to buy them then.

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