Alt-J lead first acts for Reading & Leeds 2013

NME/Radio 1 Stage headliners Alt-J lead the first acts to be announced for Reading and Leeds 2013.

Other acts confirmed are Deftones on the Main Stage. This year there will be two more stages a BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage and a BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage with the arena changing at both Reading and Leeds quite significantly.

Sub Focus headline the new three day dance tent, with grime stars Boy Better Know featuring Wiley, Skepta, and JME topping the urban flavoured 1Xtra Stage.

Festival boss Melvin Benn has been planning these changes over the past year, and explained, "This is a dynamic time for the festivals. Not only do we have a fresh look for next year, but we are also adding to the fan's experience of the festival with the introduction of more stages and genres of music, which also inevitably means an increase in the number of artists playing across the weekend.

"The addition of the hip-hop stage and the extension of the dance line-up to a three day stage - whilst not losing the essence of what Reading & Leeds Festivals are about across the existing Main, NME/Radio 1, Festival Republic and Lock Up Stages - are the things that really excite me. The Reading & Leeds festival goers listen to a diverse range of music and with the likes of BBC Radio 1 offering specialist shows focused on rock and dance and BBC Radio 1Xtra - now a station in its own right - this broad spectrum of musical genres reflects what the fans are into and what Reading & Leeds represents.

"I'm really thrilled about the additions we have planned and I'm committed to ensuring Reading & Leeds remain the highlight of the festival season for many years to come."

Next year's twin Reading and Leeds festivals take place on the bank holiday weekend, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August. Reading Festival takes place at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

With even more stages on offer, the line-up in 2013 is expected to increase by at least 25% in comparison to previous years, giving festival goers even more music for their money. With the first names just announced, fans now have a taste of what's to come but there will be much, much more to follow.

In addition to the bigger line-up, both Reading & Leeds will benefit from changes to the existing festival layout. At Reading the arena will be expanded by approximately a quarter and a second arena entrance will be created to ensure easier access for festival goers.

At Leeds the site will be altered slightly so that fans will be able to explore the woods for late night entertainment, with details yet to be announced, so stay tuned for further updates. And finally at both sites, new seating areas will allow festival goers to take time out to eat in between catching their favourite bands.

Tickets go on sale at 9am tomorrow, Friday 30th November at 2012 prices, that is £197.50 for a weekend ticket, for a limited time – until Monday 31st December 2012. eFestivals will have links her for you to buy them then.

Early entry tickets enabling festival goers to get into the site on the Wednesday are priced at £15, car park passes £5, with campervan passes priced at £60, and lockers £15. Day tickets will be sold in the new year.

Tickets can also be secured with a £50 deposit with the full balance paid by Sunday 31st March 2013.

Tickets are limited to a maximum of two per person and per credit card for those booking online. U16s (15 & under) must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Buying a full price ticket at the current 2012 price means ticket holders will be eligible for entry into a mega prize draw to reward loyal fans. Buy full-price tickets now for your chance to win across both festivals a prize of a two person VIP package which include the chance to watch a band from the side of the Main Stage and five cases of Tuborg. As well as runners up prizes of 4 x Backstage tours, plus a Spotify premium account for three months and a Reading & Leeds T-Shirt, 10 x Backstage tours, and 20 x Reading & Leeds merchandise bundles.

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