10 Unmissable Sets at Reading Festival 2026
Sort out your schedule before the festival gets underway.
You’ve got your ticket. Your camping gear is ready to go. You’re ready to enjoy yourself, but one thing is left — it’s time to work out who you’re going to see. Maybe you’re familiar with the headliners, or you’re just there to have a good time. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are ten acts we can guarantee you’ll find us at:
1. Niko B
It might not be widely known, but we — aka the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor — are from Milton Keynes. The Indie Scene was born in a bedroom in a town called New Bradwell, a couple of towns away from Niko B, who is known as Tom Austin around these parts. His first single, Mary Berry, dropped while we were away at university, but found its way onto our friends’ pre-drinks playlists, erupting out of Milton Keynes and across the UK, even making its way over to Europe.
On Tom’s 2024 debut album, dog eat dog food world, he remembered his roots, keeping his tongue-in-cheek lyrics and addictive beats, making his first album one to be listened to time and time again.
He does clash with RAYE, however, so choose your time wisely, but come and catch a glimpse of what Milton Keynes has to offer.
Recommended Track: ur a bundle of joy !
Set Time: Saturday, 22:00 — 23:00
Stage: The Ballroom
2. ROLE MODEL
Sally, When the Wine Runs Out made ROLE MODEL — real name Tucker Pillsbury — blow up and reach a whole new audience, but none of that would’ve been possible had the late Mac Miller not heard Tucker’s independent track Stolen Car on SoundCloud in 2017, messaging him on Instagram before flying him out to Los Angeles so they could work together.
Off the back of the support shown by Mac, ROLE MODEL was signed to Interscope Records the following year. In 2022, he released his debut album, Rx — an open and honest look at his relationship at the time — before 2024’s Kansas Anymore saw him step it up a notch. Last week, after sharing previous singles Joy and High Hopes 3000, the American musician dropped his third album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass.
His sets at Reading & Leeds are his first time back since 2022, having spoken in an interview recently about being put on at the same time as The 1975, meaning there wasn’t a huge audience for him. This is redemption time, I suppose. Let’s hope there’s not a bad clash this time around.
Recommended Track: Slipfast
Set Time: Sunday, 18:00 — 19:00
Stage: The Grid
3. Skepta
You shouldn’t need us to tell you to see Skepta — it’s a given, naturally. If past Reading Festivals are anything to go by, it’s worth crossing your fingers that he brings younger brother JME out.
Recommended Track: That’s Not Me ft. JME
Set Time: Friday, 17:45 — 18:45
Stage: The Grid
4. Geese
Quite possibly the hottest act on the line-up, they have drastically blown up since their last album, Getting Killed, which thrust them into the spotlight and onto every carabiner-wearing, Carhartt-donning man who supports Arsenal because he lives in London and doesn’t realise there’s a life beyond that playlist. Truly, reserve your Friday evening and head to the dry, covered stage for an hour of an inevitable mosh pit and a good 100 Geese t-shirts taking over the crowd.
Recommended Track: Low Era
Set Time: Friday, 17:55 — 18:55
Stage: The Gallery
5. 54 Ultra
If you’re after irresistible synth-pop that sounds like all great, luscious, feel-good music should, then look no further; Johnny Rodriguez is ready to deliver an alternative soul escape on the main stage.
Recommended Track: Upside Down
Set Time: Sunday, 12:35 — 13:20
Stage: The Grid
6. Westside Cowboy
You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of this Manchester-based group and their blend of alt-country and undeniably addictive rock. They’re guaranteed to bring a set that’ll leave you itching to catch them headlining.
Recommended Track: Dobro
Set Time: Sunday, 13:45 — 14:25
Stage: The Ballroom
7. Men I Trust
The Canadian trio, fronted by Emmanuelle Proulx, will be bringing their brand of silky smooth indie to The Gallery, and are ones you won’t want to miss.
Recommended Track: Ring of Past
Set Time: Sunday, 16:15 — 17:15
Stage: The Gallery
8. RAYE
You don’t need me to tell you to see RAYE, but you should, if it isn’t already on your agenda. A superstar who worked her way to the very top, RAYE is deserving of all her flowers and, with her sisters also on the lineup, it’s a no-brainer that we’ll see them come out to perform Joy alongside her.
Recommended Track: I Know You’re Hurting.
Set Time: Saturday, 22:05
Stage: The Grid
9. Violet Grohl
With Violet Grohl on the lineup, there’s a high chance of a Dave Grohl sighting, if that’s your bag. If it isn’t, then Violet has just released her debut album, Be Sweet To Me, and is more than enough to stand on her own two feet, despite the glaringly obvious surname.
Recommended Track: Bug In The Cake
Set Time: Sunday, 17:00 — 17:45
Stage: The Canopy
10. Declan McKenna
Is a festival lineup truly complete without Declan McKenna’s earworms? He hasn’t played at Reading since 2023 and, with a new album surely on its way, this one is going to be unmissable.
Recommended Track: Nothing Works
Set Time: Friday, 16:15 — 17:15
Stage: The Grid
