Saturday is a something for everyone day, from pop to hardcore, with everything else covered in between and plenty for rap fans.
The Grid
10:05 to 11:25pm – Raye: We missed her last appearance at Reading Festival as we were watching Wunderhorse. It would be unthinkable to miss out again. ‘Where Is My Husband?’ has been one of the tracks of the last year. Her incredible voice and big show instincts should make for a very special show.
8:05 to 9:30pm – Dave: Along with Loyle Carner, here on Sunday, this is the thinking person’s UK rapper. An unusually, emotionally deep and intellectual take on the rap genre, but remains fun and can pull out the chart topping hits as well.
6:20 to 7:20pm – sombr: It felt like sombr came out of nowhere last year, but he has been a hugely dominant chart force since then. Incredibly popular among teens, but has enough artistry to be taken seriously. We are intrigued to see what qualities he will bring to his live show. At 21 years-old, this American artist is likely to only get bigger and bigger.
4:45 to 5:45pm – Jade: Now 33, Jade Thirlwall has been in the spotlight since she went on X-Factor age 15. Massively successful as part of Little Mix. Whilst the solo career isn’t quite as big yet, the critics all love her forward thinking power-pop.
3:30 to 4:15pm – Maisie Peters: UK singer-songwriter from Brighton, though you would struggle to place that from her highly polished pop songs. She has been plugging away for a decade, originally busking and uploading songs to YouTube when she was just fifteen years old. Deserves more attention.
2:00 to 2:45pm -Slayyyter: This might be your best chance to catch one of the most up-and-coming artists in the world before she completes a Charlie XCX style blow-up to megastardom. She is a US artist with a penchant for electro-pop, but has some serious punk energy with it. Something of an early Lady GaGa like vibe, in terms of her edgy media persona. One of the must-catch sets of the festival.
12:35 to 1:20pm – Absolutely: One of Raye’s sisters who sing with her on stage. Also a growing star in her own right. Mixes R and B, pop and EDM. A very impressive voice.
The Gallery
10:05 to 11:20pm – Gunna: Hugely successful US rapper. Music is in the Travis Scott mould.
8:15 to 9:15pm – Viagra Boys: Phenomenal Swedish post-punk band. Amazing live presence. It is unfortunate that they are on at the same time as Dave as we would love to see them again, but how can we pass on Dave???
6:20 to 7:20 – Nine Vicious: American rapper. Another in the autotuned Travis Scott mould.
4:50 to 5:50pm – Duke Dumont: Adam George Dyment is better known by his stage name Duke Dumont, an English DJ and music producer. ‘I Got U’ was a massive hit. He has been making music for a couple of decades, mainly house and electronic.
3:35 to 4:15pm – Kingfishr: Irish indie-folk band with a very strong live presence. We hugely enjoyed their last appearance at Reading Festival in the Festival Republic Tent. It will be interesting to see how busy this set in The Gallery is as, whilst they have a big following, I am not sure that it has a huge crossover with Reading Festival attendees. It might be a good chance to get close to the front, to catch a wonderful set for minimal effort this weekend.
2:15 to 3:00pm – Clara La San: A composer/producer/singer from the UK who has been active for over a decade. R & B with some darker edges and beats. A back catalogue well worth exploring.
1:05 to 1:40pm – Say Now: A pop/R & B girlband signed to a major label from London. Major Destiny’s Child/TLC vibes. Are they that good? What they have released so far is certainly very polished.
12:05 to 12:35pm – Ceebo: 23 year-old UK rapper with a real strong flow and some excellent production. The pick of the rap options on The Gallery today.
The Ballroom
10:00 to 11:00pm – Niko B: Talented UK rapper in the Mike Skinner, Good Health Good Wealth style. UK garage leaning beats, though uses a mix of styles.
8:00 to 9:00pm – Speed: If it wasn’t enough that Dave and Viagra Boys were on in this time slot, then this is the third option that we may end up taking a last second punt on, if we can drag ourselves away from Dave. If you fancy a great metal band this weekend, then there isn’t really much else in the picture. Full on Australian hardcore outfit, with crunching guitars, that will appeal to any connoisseurs of the genre.
6:15 to 7:15pm – Frost Children: Hyper-pop? Glitchcore? Electro-punk? EDM? Whatever you want to try and pigeonhole them as they will squirm out of it and throw something else into the blender. A fascinating US duo, making music since 2019. The best alternative live option if you don’t fancy watching sombre.
4:40 to 5:30 – bar italia: Your pure authentic hit of indie on offer today. Too cool for school and a must-catch-at-least-some-of-it set. Indie-sleaze, shoegaze, lo-fi and proper rock all rolled into one package. So, so good.
3:20 to 4:05pm – Jane Remover: US rapper/producer/singer songwriter. Genre crossing from EDM through to quieter, reflective moments.
2:00 to 2:40pm – Radio Free Alice: In a tough slot, but if you want a pure guitar band then these Australians are where you want to be. Post-punk and new wave with a shiny indie-pop leaning side. Great set on the Festival Republic Stage last year.
1:00 to 1:30pm – Fliss: Only two tracks to go by online, but they have a good sound. UK Singer-songwriter from South London.
The Canopy
6:15 to 7:00pm – Kibo: Talented UK rapper from Harrow who just dropped his debut album last month. A good opportunity to catch a rising star on a small stage.
5:15 to 5:45pm – Finessekid: Another super-talented UK rapper (what a time to be alive for lovers of rap music!) who is guesting on A-lister stuff all over the place. AJ Tracey brought him out at his Reading set last year. This guy is the real deal.
4:20 to 4:50pm – Seb Lowe: Opened the Main Stage well in 2024, so it feels like a slight disservice to have this great singer-songwriter on The Canopy this year. Still, it makes it more likely you can get close to enjoy his set here. One of the most political music makers around at the moment, not afraid to take on the right wing narrative, and his songs sound great with it. His approach varies between spoken-word, semi-rap and proper singing. Has put out five singles this year and they all sound wonderful, working with The Coral’s James Skelly as producer.
3:25 to 3:55pm – Cruz Beckham and the Breakers: Well, you wouldn’t have got this with the BBC Introducing Stage! Clearly, he has had the door opened for him by famous parents but… whisper it… the music has been all right so far. Leaning into 90s indie, a new EP just dropped a few days ago.
2:30 to 3:00pm – Ruby Roberts: A new artist with a couple of EPs in the last year. Alt-pop, for fans of Luvcat and The Last Dinner Party.
1:50 to 2:10pm – Amma: Raye is Amma’s older sister and Absolutely is her younger sister. Amma also performs as one of Raye’s backing singers. Her own material has a slower, more soulful vibe than either of her sisters, but she is another big talent in her own right.
1:10 – 1:30pm – Pozzy: Just 20 years-old Pozzy mixes grime, rap, R&B, and electronic influences into a usually mellow vibe. A solid artist and a decent producer. Originally from Bury St Edmonds but moved to London for a music course.
12:35 to 12:55pm – Sade Olutola: A really talented singer-songwriter from South London. Has a great voice and plays guitar, though just as home with beats and a bit of rapping or R & B style.
12:00 – 12:20 – Fiona-Lee: From Yorkshire, a singer songwriter with a really indie sensibility. Definitely talented and worth a look.
The Bus
6:00 to 7:00pm – Jaz Imsky w/ Cola B: DJ and MC creating high energy dubstep and grime collaborations.
5:00 to 6:00p. – I.5.2.Y W/ M:Cass: Drum and bass vocalist and producer pairing.
4:00 to 4:45pm – Hulton: UK rapper mixing in Latin influences.
3:00 to 4:00pm – Subbuteo + Friends: Grime and dubstep DJ/producer.
2:15 to 2:45pm – Miss Lilly: 18 year-old East Londoner who might end up a big star. Soulful elements mixed with more modern beats. A great singing voice.
1:00 to 1:30pm – Katie Jones: Singer-songwriter from Essex. soulful R & B vibes.
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