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Biffy Clyro join Reading and Leeds Festival: How to get tickets – and what happens if it is cancelled

People waving flags and holding flares, and general atmosphere of the Reading Festival 2017 are pictured at Reading, on August 27, 2017. The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual rock music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
People waving flags and holding flares, and general atmosphere of the Reading Festival 2017 (Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Glastonbury has been cancelled for a second-year running but that hasn’t stopped the Reading and Leeds organisers from stating their 2021 event will go ahead.

The annual four-day festival, which was forced to take a year off in 2020, will return to both locations on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro have signed up to replace Queens of the Stone Age as co-headliner on Friday at Leeds and Sunday at Reading after the Josh Homme-fronted band had to pull out due to “due to restrictions and logistics”. Stepping up to headline the festival for the third time, Biffy told fans: “We cannot wait to get out there and play for you all again after such a tough year… It’s gonna f***!”

Fans who had tickets for 2020 had the option to roll them over for the year or get a refund – but if you’ve only just started weighing up whether it could be worth buying one then don’t worry, they are still on sale.

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT - JUNE 16: Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro performs on stage during Isle of Wight Festival 2019 at Seaclose Park on June 16, 2019 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Rob Ball/WireImage)
Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro performs on stage during Isle of Wight Festival 2019 (Rob Ball/WireImage)

From how to get your hands on a ticket to what happens if the event is actually called off, here’s everything you need to know…

Watch: Reading and Leeds Festival to go ahead

When is Reading and Leeds?

The festival will return in its usual spot, running across the August Bank Holiday weekend. The music kicks off on Friday 27 August and finishes on Sunday 29.

Festival-goers who attend for the whole weekend usually arrive on the Thursday and make their way home on Bank Holiday Monday.

Where can I buy a Reading or Leeds ticket?

Ticketmaster are the official partners for the 2021 festival and you can guarantee your spot at either event here. A weekend ticket will set you back £232 + booking fees. If you don’t fancy going a whole weekend without showers, a ticket for either Friday, Saturday or Sunday is £81.50.

If you fancy not only the whole weekend but an extra night, a limited amount of early entry Wednesday tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster. There are also a variety of upgraded camping options.

Who’s on the line-up?

Reading and Leeds announced its 2021 headliners when last year’s festivals should have been taking place.

As we missed out in 2020, organisers have gone all out and both sites will feature two main stages, with two headliners per night; Stormzy, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Post Malone, Disclosure, Liam Gallagher and Biffy Clyro. Other new additions to the line-up include Inhaler, Holly Humberstone, Bakar and Che Lingo.

As usual, the acts will move between the two locations during the weekend.

Other bands and artists confirmed to perform include Lewis Capaldi, Two Door Cinema Club and Mabel – and there are still loads more to be announced.

Speaking earlier this week, organiser Melvin Benn told Radio 1 Newsbeat: "The acts are desperate to play, the kids are desperate to come. I can feel that.”

Could it still be cancelled?

Stormzy performing on stage during day one of Capital's Jingle Bell Ball 2019 with Seat at the O2 Arena, London. Picture credit should read: Scott Garfitt/EMPICS Entertainment
Stormzy, seen here at the 2019 Capital Jingle Bell Ball 2019, is one of the six headliners (Scott Garfitt/EMPICS Entertainment)

The Government’s roadmap out of lockdown includes the earliest possible dates for a number of key points, such as the reopening of schools, non-essential shops, sporting events and outdoor music festivals and venues. The prime minister has cautioned Brits that while he hopes each stage goes to plan, the dates could be delayed if Covid infection and death rates rise.

At the moment, the earliest date possible for events like Reading and Leeds is June 21. Given that this is over two months before the festivals will open their gates, organisers are feeling “very confident” that even if there is a delay, Reading and Leeds won’t be affected – however, it’s not completely impossible.

Will I get a refund if that happens?

Yes. The terms and conditions listed on the Reading, Leeds and Ticketmaster websites all state that ticket-holders will be entitled to a refund if the events can no longer go ahead. If this situation does arise, Ticketmaster will be in touch.

As the pandemic continues, it is worth noting that you won’t get a refund if the line-up changes, so if you’re going because there’s only one act you want to see, then you might want to wait a little while before signing up.

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