Reading & Leeds 2017: 9 acts to see

When it comes to Reading Festival, the campsite's perennial battle with the British weather may be one of the first things that come to mind, but there’s a lot of great music there too. With a line-up spanning rock, hip-hop, dance and plenty else besides, here’s a look at the nine acts on the bill for Reading and Leeds 2017 that you won't want to miss.  

The Amazons
You’ve probably already heard The Amazons, as they’ve been all over the airwaves, bursting into the mainstream this year with rock anthem Black Magic before releasing singalong indie hit Junk Food Forever. They’ve also had considerable success with Nightdriving, an undeniable indie-rock banger which riffs on Is This It-era Strokes. And seeing as they’re from Reading, they'll be on home turf. Expect a very packed-out Festival Republic stage; if you don’t walk away with a sore throat from singing along to the choruses, you’re doing it wrong. Festival Republic stage; Fri at Reading, Sat at Leeds.

Danny Brown
Eyebrows were raised when the festival formerly known as Reading Rock introduced the 1Xtra stage a few years ago, but with artists like Danny Brown and Migos now on the bill, there’s no doubt that rap and hip-hop is alive and kicking at the Bank Holiday weekend institution. The Detroit native has been on a great run of form, releasing his fourth album Atrocity Exhibition late last year with features from Ab Soul, Earl Sweatshirt, Kelela and Kendrick Lamar to name a few, as well as popping up on the latest records from Run The Jewels, DJ Shadow and Gorillaz. Expect an energetic performance from Brown, who tops the 1Xtra line-up. 1Xtra Stage, Fri at Reading, Sat at Leeds.

Marika Hackman
Fresh off the back of her second studio release in June, it’s an exciting time to see the 25-year-old singer-songwriter perform live. Hackman’s music is funny, thoughtful and dark, and though she excels in the quieter moments of I’m Not Your Man, there’s also plenty of upbeat songs on the record that are sure to get a festival crowd moving. NME/Radio 1 Stage; Fri at Reading, Sat at Leeds.

Kurupt Fm
The notorious garage DJs made a name for themselves on the BBC show People Just Do Nothing, but since they first appeared on the small screen in 2012 they’ve proved themselves to be more than just a comedy act. DJ Beats, MC Grindah and the rest of the crew have appeared just about everywhere from student unions to the lofty heights of Manchester’s Warehouse Project last year. Expect energy, heavy beats and a light coating of peanut dust. Radio 1 Dance Stage; Fri at Reading, Sat at Leeds.

Marmozets
Marmozets embody the spirit of Reading – wild, uninhibited and great fun. Though they've kept relatively quiet since releasing their debut LP three years ago, 2017 has been the year of their revival. The band have toured with festival headliners Muse, and they’re also on the cusp of dropping a follow-up to The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets. There should be plenty of new material for dedicated fans to enjoy, and for newcomers, you can’t go wrong with thrashy punk tunes like Move, Shake, Hide. NME/Radio 1 Stage; Sat at Reading, Sun at Leeds.

Migos
If you’re not keen on the more conventional hip-hop that headliner Eminem is bringing back to the main stage this year, then look no further than Atlanta trap trio Migos. They have bangers like Bad and Boujee under their belt that should be pretty unforgettable live, and given the astonishing number of chart tracks lead man Quavo has featured on this summer, the crowd could be in for a few surprises as well. Main Stage; Sat at Reading, Sun at Leeds.

Muncie Girls
Packing visceral lyrics delivered ferociously by lead singer and bassist Lande Hekt, the Exeter DIY punk outfit should bring a bruising performance to The Pit stage. The band riff on politics quite a bit, and in 2017’s tumultuous climate, it should make for a memorably manic gig. Just make sure not to wear your good trainers. The Pit/Lock Up Stage; Sun at Reading, Fri at Leeds.

Mura Masa
EDM DJ Alex Crossan, aka Mura Masa, released his first EP Someday Somewhere when he was only 19 after making a name for himself making trap tunes on Ableton in his bedroom. Now 21-years-old, he’s already worked with A$AP Rocky, Charlie XCX, and has also pitched in on Stormzy’s album, getting a writing credit on opening track First Things First. His music is perfect for a summer festival, so he's well worth making room for in your plans. NME/Radio 1 Stage; Sun at Reading, Fri at Leeds

Sigrid
The Norwegian artist has been likened to pop queen Sia, and has previously said she draws from a wide pool of genres including grime, folk, trap and R'n'B when writing music. But it’s in the huge, empowering pop choruses where Sigrid really shines. She’s already torn up the radio waves with Don’t Kill My Vibe, a perfect summery pop tune which is sure to bring festival-goers into the dance tent in their droves. Perfect for those looking for a good old-fashioned mid-afternoon festival boogie. Radio 1 Dance Stage; Sat at Reading, Sun at Leeds.