The first wave of artists performing at Leeds Festival 2026 has been announced - including six huge headliners.
The beloved festival has confirmed that Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status will all be performing in the fields of Bramham Park.
And for Leeds Festival 2026 for the first time there'll be a Thursday night headliner too, with Kasabian kicking off the massive music event.
Rumours of the headliners for Pepsi MAX presents Reading & Leeds Festival had gone into overdrive over the weekend, after Fontaines D.C., Florence, and Chase & Status all appeared to announce their own headline slots in teaser videos.
And today it's been announced that they will be among the six headliners performing next August, along with major acts like Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, Kneecap, Josh Baker, Kettama, Geese, Skye Newman, Adéla and Keo.
Fontaines D.C. have become one of the hottest live bands in the world since their inception, headlining a major world tour that included massive outdoor summer shows across the UK last summer.
Their debut performances at Reading and Leeds Festival will be their only festival shows of 2026.
Beloved indie pop artist and possessor of one of the world's greatest voices, Florence and the Machine, will also keep Leeds Festival as her only UK festival performance of 2026, having last performed on this hallowed stage back in 2012.
Florence + The Machine. Credit: Autumn de WildeFontaines D.C. Credit: @ifucktokyoChase & Status will perform at Leeds Festival 2026. Credit: SuppliedDave is also making Leeds Festival a UK festival exclusive. Credit: SuppliedCharli xcx. Credit: Harley WeirRaye will perform at Leeds Festival 2026. Credit: Supplied
Joining them will be Charli xcx, who shut down festivals across the planet in 2025 with her electric live shows and will be ushering in a new era post-BRAT summer.
Chase & Status will not only be making Leeds Festival a festival exclusive, but their only live show of 2026, bringing their powerhouse electronic music to Bramham Park.
Dave has been announced as another headliner, hot off the back of the release of his number one album The Boy Who Played the Harp.
And completing the whopping line-up of six headliners is Raye, who boasts eight top 20 UK singles, five billion global Spotify streams, and holds the record for the most Brit awards won in a single night.
Speaking during her first appearance at Reading Festival in 2024, RAYE said: “You know what listen guys, I’ve done it, I came to Reading & Leeds when I was 16 when I finished my GCSE’s, I was in the dance tent living my life…you know what I mean. I had a dream, and look at me now, it’s all possible."
Leeds Festival general sale tickets will go live at 12pm on Wednesday 3 December HERE.
There'll be a 48 hour PayPal presale which is already live, and a 24 hour festival presale starting at 9am on Tuesday 2 December (sign up for access HERE).
Indie heroes The Maccabees are set to headline Live at Kirkstall Abbey, and they'll be joined by a few others.
The renowned indie rock quintet The Maccabees have shared a stacked lineup for their only northern headline show this year as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.
Joining them are Newcastle Alt-Rock legends Maxïmo Park, eclectic art rock fourpiece Everything Everything, psychedelic indie rock stalwarts The Mystery Jets led by the inimitable Blaine Harrison and fast rising singer/songwriter/storyteller Fiona-Lee.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return in 2024 got indie music lovers across the country very excited indeed, headlining All Points East and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s return was met with enthusiastic crowds.
Building upon that reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July including their only northern date at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey.
Maccabees guitarist Felix White says, “The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again”
Also announced for this year's Live at Kirkstall Abbey is The Streets, performing their critically acclaimed album A Grand Don’t Come for Free alongside reunited Leeds indie heroes The Sunshine Underground.
The debut ‘Above All Else’ event headlined by Loyle Carner will be taking place and the return of Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival featuring Dara Ó’Brien, Jason Manford, Lucy Beamount and more.
The Maccabees will be performing at Kirkstall Abbey on Friday 31 July 2026 and you can get your tickets here.
Miles Kane at Project House Leeds – an utterly electric night fuelled by leopard print
Fran Mallinson
MIles Kane is back in Leeds and he is better than ever before.
“Good evening Leeds, how the f*** are we?"
Everyone's favourite scouser came onto the stage wearing a perfectly fitted leather jacket, and it's safe to say the crowd roared.
It's been a few years since I’ve been in a Miles Kane crowd, the last time I saw him he was supporting Blossoms at Millenium Square back in 2023 and my gosh it's good to be back.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
His whole energy is just utterly infectious and makes him a complete joy to watch. I’ve always been a Miles Kane fan and I just love where he's taken his 2025 album ‘Sunlight in The Shadows’.
We were blessed with a whole stream of songs from over the years, my personal favourite, ‘Rearrange’ was played second and was such a treat. Kane got the crowd to sing back to him “let it out, let it out, let it all out” which soon made me realise you were standing side by side with true fans.
Throughout the setlist we heard bangers from over the years and mid-set Miles screams out “Leeds on a Thursday, come on” and to say it was grey and very wet outside, we all definitely brought the energy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Supporting Miles on his 2026 tour is Villanelle, you know Gene Gallagher’s band? Some could say nepo-baby but we say, when they were doing their own Leeds dates, they were class. Such a grungy, punk twist they’ve got and it's safe to say Gene has the Gallagher stance behind the mic.
As the set drew to a close Kane said “thank you so much and don’t forget who you are" which brought us to his last three songs, ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’, ‘Sunlight In The Shadows’ and the ultimate bopper and most played song on Spotify ‘Come Closer’ which just never, ever gets old.
In the words of Carrie Bradshaw 'and just like that' my first gig at Project House (can’t believe its taken me so long) was over.
As an overall venue, Project House really had it all, Kirkstall brews, a spacious cool environment and really fantastic acoustics.
And it was time to walk back to the train station along the canal on a lovely Miles Kane high and debrief the evening. Hopefully see you soon Miles, rather than leaving it three years again.
Daisy Jackson -
1st December 2025 
