This bank holiday weekend, thousands of festival goers will descend on fields in the south and north of England for Reading and Leeds Festival. Since its inception, the sister festival has played a crucial role in propelling UK acts to new heights. This year, it promises exciting names across indie, alternative, RnB, hip-hop and electronic.
From state-of-the-art pop stars in the making, to viral rappers making their festival debut, CLASH has assembled a curated list of rising artists to check out away from the MainStage frenzy.
—
Aki Oke
Blending indie and hyperpop textures into euphoric house-party anthems, Aki Oke is quickly becoming one of London’s most exciting new voices. Their debut single ‘CITY IN LOVE’, dropped on Valentine’s Day this year, paired melancholic lyricism with hedonistic, synth-driven energy – a bittersweet soundtrack for summer nights. Already making waves across UK festivals, Oke’s sets promise both nostalgia and release, a rush of emotion tailormade for Reading’s open air. Gabby Ofo
Demae
A key figure in London’s flourishing neo-soul scene, Demae brings together jazz textures, hip-hop rhythms, and warm R&B grooves in her hybrid songs. With roots in the experimental hip-hop trio Hawk House and recent features on Kokoroko’s latest album, she’s steadily carving her own path. Her 2020 debut project ‘Life Works Out…Usually’, featuring Fatima and Joe Armon-Jones, showcased her ability to balance laidback flows with soulful sermonizing. Expect a set that flits between intimacy and uplift. Gabby Ofo
Keo
Propulsive London four-piece Keo are breathing new life into alternative rock. Fronted by brothers Finn and Conor Keogh alongside Oli Spackman and Jimmy Lanwern, their sound fuses grunge grit with folk sensibilities, bridging Jeff Buckley’s emotional rawness with Radiohead’s atmospherics. Having already shared the stage with Kings of Leon and The Vaccines at BST Hyde Park, their live shows are full of urgency. Reading and Leeds is the perfect home for their jagged riffs and soaring vocals. Gabby Ofo
Nieve Ella
From the quiet of Shropshire to the buzz of festival stages, Nieve Ella has grown into one of indie pop’s most compelling new storytellers. First picking up her late father’s guitar during lockdown, she’s since transformed grief into luminous anthems like ‘Glasshouses’ and ’19 in a Week’. Her debut EP ‘Young & Naive’ channels Gen Z introspection through bittersweet hooks, whilst recent singles show a sharper edge and pop flair. Gabby Ofo
V.I.C
Southampton-born, London-based rapper V.I.C has quickly carved a lane as one of UK rap’s most versatile rising stars. Breaking out with the viral ‘A Teen’, which landed on the FIFA 22 soundtrack, he’s since racked up millions of streams and sold-out shows. His 2024 mixtape ‘VÄRIANT’ flexes his range, from the grit of ‘Can’t Take No More’ to the sleek ‘Diamonds’. Expect a high-energy Reading performance laced with sharp wordplay, raw emotion, and undeniable presence. Gabby Ofo
Nxdia
Nxdia’s alt-pop gems radiate magnetic late-night energy, balancing raw vocals with a lyrical bite. Festival goers will be captivated by a set that contrasts intimacy and intensity, pulling you in and refusing to let go. On stage, with her tracks oozing atmosphere and alacrity, Nxdia’s less of a performer and more of a spellcaster. Catch her before the industry catches on. Kaitlin Robson
Lyvia
Lyvia’s an artist that you’ll stumble across at Reading and Leeds and end up obsessed with by Monday, to the point she becomes a playlist mainstay. The Nottingham singer-songwriter delivers indie-pop ditties in a way that feels widescreen, yet personal. With a knack for turning fragile moments into festival anthems, Lyvia’s the kind of act that can make a small stage appearance seem huge. Kaitlin Robson
Good Neighbours
Good Neighbours’ sun-soaked indie pop is built for fields and flares; think big hooks, big moments and bouncing crowds. If happiness had a sound it would be them. Their synergy as performers is infectious and their songs beg to be chanted under open skies; soaring choruses, golden hooks and an undeniable “remember when we saw them first?” energy. Kaitlin Robson
Chloe Qisha
Chloe Qisha is a name you should definitely keep an eye on in 2025. Slick future-pop production mixed with charismatic vocals label her a true crowd-pleaser. She’s got charisma, star quality and pens infectious songs that have a darker, more subversive undertow. This London artist has future mainstage headliner written all over her. Kaitlin Robson
Finn Forster
Channeling northern grit into heartfelt indie-rock storytelling, Finn Forster has a rough-edged appeal that can cut through crowds. He articulates his working class ennui with a cinematic precision, and his songs have a homegrown feel, meant to be enjoyed in the communal reach of festival. The Middlesborough artist is set to soar. Kaitlin Robson
—
Reading and Leeds takes place across the August bank holiday weekend – Thursday, August 21 to Sunday, August 24. Reading Fest is held at Little John’s Farm on Richfield Avenue. Its northern counterpart takes place at Leeds’ Bramham Park.
