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Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, and The Killers announced as Reading and Leeds 2023 headliners

Reading and Leeds Festival 2023 takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, and tickets go on sale next Monday at 9am.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2022

Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, and The Killers are all set to perform headline sets at Reading and Leeds Festival 2023.

The first wave of acts has just been announced, and it looks like it’s going to be an awesome weekend.

There’s been lots of rumours circulating about who will be playing, but Greg James put these rumours to bed on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show this morning, The Hoot reports.

Taking to the main stage next year as his first time headlining a major festival will be Tyneside indie favourite Sam Fender, US pop megastar Billie Eilish – who this year became the youngest Glastonbury headliner ever – and indie rock legends The Killers.

Other headliners include Oxford rockers Foals, Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi, and American pop band Imagine Dragons.

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And it doesn’t just stop there either.

Sam Fender, and Billie Eilish have been announced as Reading and Leeds 2023 headliners / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Also performing at the festival is British MC Loyle Carner, Isle Of Wight indie-rock duo Wet Leg, and dance heavyweight Becky Hill.

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Also confirmed for the 2023 festival is Bicep, Central Cee, Chase Atlantic, Declan McKenna, Don Broco, Eliza Rose, Georgia, Inhaler, LF System, Lil TJay, Lovejoy, Meekz, Nessa Barret, Nothing But Thieves, Shy FX, Slowthai, Songer, Steve Lacy, The Snuts, Tion Wayne, Trippie Redd, Yung Lean, and You Me At Six.

More than a 100 artists are expected to grace the stages at Bramham Park and Little John’s Park next year.

Further exciting announcements are expected to come over the following months.

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Reading and Leeds Festival 2023 takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend / Credit: Reading and Leeds

As always, Reading and Leeds Festival 2023 will once again be happening over the August Bank Holiday weekend between Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August, with tickets set to go sale next Monday 12 December 2022 at 9am.

With a lineup like that, and even more to come, we expect they’re going to fly off the shelves, so make sure to get your alarms set ready.

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Grab your tickets here on the Reading and Leeds Festival 2023 website here.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Audio

Band on the Wall buys adjoining The Rose and Monkey pub

Danny Jones Danny Jones Band on the Wall has bought The Rose and Monkey pub Manchester

Beloved Manchester music venue Band on the Wall has announced that they have bought the equally popular Rose and Monkey pub and hotel next door.

The two Great Ancoats St favourites on the edge of the district and the Northern Quarter have both served as reliable, entertaining gig spaces for years now, not to mention a great spot for a drink, and their business models have always aligned so perfectly, with visitors heading from one into the other for years.

With that in mind, and in a concerted effort to support the local music and hospitality industry, Band on the Wall have decided to turn that long-standing relationship into an even closer collaboration.

Confirming the acquisition of The Rose and Monkey earlier this week, Band on the Wall and its next-door neighbour are now official partners.

Speaking in an official statement on their website, the latter wrote: “This exciting development marks another step in Band on the Wall’s mission to support grassroots music and enhance its role within Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene.

“The Rose & Monkey (formerly The Burton Arms) has a long and chequered history dating back to 1783, but in recent years has been transformed into a beloved destination for music lovers and locals alike.

“Known as one of the city’s oldest public houses, originally built as part of the original Smithfield Markets and over the road from what was the ‘New Cross’ area of the city, the venue boasts an intimate atmosphere and commitment to live music.

“The pub is now a vital part of the Northern Quarter’s creative fabric with unique features, including a beer garden, small music stage, and even Airbnb accommodation upstairs; the venue perfectly complements Band on the Wall’s (BOTW) ethos of fostering community through music.”

As it turns out, the deal to take over The Rose and Monkey was actually agreed upon a while ago and fully finalised last 2024.

With backing from Figurative – a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in ‘impact investment’ throughout the cultural and creative sector – this most recent development follows the £3.5 million refurbishment of BOTW, which was finally completed back in March 2022.

Audio North was still ‘The Manc Audio’ back then, but Band on the Wall was busy being reborn first.

Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Rose & Monkey into the Band on the Wall family. This acquisition allows us to expand our footprint while preserving one of Manchester’s most cherished independent venues.

“Together, we aim to create even more opportunities for emerging artists and provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.”

As for the pub and lodging house itself, The Rose and Monkey Hotel, to use its full name, will still remain its own bar and live music entity but will now work closely with Band on the Wall to achieve better and more diverse programming.

In addition to a place to stay on the first floor, the pub now features a newly installed ‘Wurlitzer Jukebox’, too, which has been curated by none other than American alternative rock band Pixies, BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins and the in-house team.

Very cool.

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Finally, Band on the Wall went on to add: “The Rose & Monkey is ideally positioned to become an even greater hub for Manchester’s thriving music scene.

“Visitors can look forward to an enhanced calendar of events as well as continued dedication to inclusivity and creativity, and a jukebox specially curated by several high-profile friends and supporters of the venue.”

We’ll cheers to that.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Audio

The Lottery Winners champion the ‘working class’ after notching their second number one album

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Lottery Winners second number one album

Another UK Official Charts gold trophy is heading Wigan Way as Leigh’s very own The Lottery Winners have notched another number one album, and you can rest assured these lot will never forget where they came from.

Being awarded the accolade for the second time in the space of just four LPs, the much-loved Greater Manchester band emerged as increasing favourites in the race for the top spot this past week, but nothing is ever certain until the race is run – and thankfully, they crossed the finish line on Friday evening.

Having previously claimed an inaugural number one for their third outing, ART (Anxiety Replacement Therapy), back in April 2023, their presence on the British indie and pop scene has only continued to grow, and they’ve been fittingly rewarded for their efforts.

Not only one of the most popular artists coming out of the region right now but prolific creators and performers, we couldn’t be happier for them. Here’s what happened when they heard the news:

Safe to say it didn’t quite go to plan.

Nevertheless, and annoying nose rings aside, their latest record KOKO (Keep On Keeping On), which dropped on 21 March, not only showcases some of The Lottery Winners‘ best material to date but it’s gone straight to number one.

Including another stunning lineup of special guests including Reverend and The Makers’ Jon McClure, Shed Seven, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Frank Turner for the third time as a featured artist, the album has gone down an instant hit with their fan base and plenty of new listeners too.

Speaking on the massive achievement, bassist Katie Lloyd said: “I hope that people from a background that we’re from can look at what we’ve managed to achieve, with two of these now, and see that you can do it if you work hard and put everything into your dreams.”

Echoing her sentiment, frontman Thom Rylance went on to add: “This is for grassroots music, this is for the working class; this is for Leigh, this is for anybody who has a dream – go out there and get it.

“Make it happen.” Well said, lad.

Even Mayor Andy Burham chipped in, telling the Official Charts Company: “I’ve been a big fan of The Lottery Winners since they started out playing pubs and clubs around Leigh, and I know the whole town will be proud of them today. 

“Landing a first Number 1 album was brilliant, but to do it again is something properly special. They’re one of the hardest working bands in the business and they deserve every bit of this success.”

Congratulations again to The Lottery Winners on KOKO and a second UK number one. We’re sure they’ll keep flying the flag for Greater Manchester and Northern music as a whole.

As well as headline dates to come, not to mention supporting the one and only Robbie Williams later this year, they’ve got a big festival season ahead as they’re set to return to the likes of Neighbourhood Weekender, Kendal Calling and more.

Roll on the summer and in the meantime, Keep On Keeping On.

Neighbourhood Weekender reveals second wave of HUGE acts for summer lineup
Ready and raring to get amongst it.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Official Charts Company/The Lottery Winners (supplied)/Audio North

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