Preview: Leeds & Reading 2013

Photograph: Biffy Clyro

Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Ronnie & Reggie Kray, and Arnold Schwarzenegger & Danny Devito - just some of our favourite twins. Although our absolute favourite must be the twin festivals of Leeds & Reading.

The number one rock festivals have been the first destination for everyone from school leavers at their first festival, to die hard rock fans. Over the years Leeds and Reading have garnered something of a legendary status amongst festival goers across the country.

Laying somewhere between a chaotic hormonal haven and a rock 'n' roll mothership, Leeds and Reading is a festival crammed with charm, a no holds barred expression of hedonism and anarchy, a rite of passage and a beast that must be conquered, but ultimately an incredibly rewarding experience.

Watch: Green Day @ Reading 2012

For those after only the biggest lineups, this year’s Leeds and Reading are virtually unrivalled. Some of this years highlights will include the massive pop punk Green Day, Armenian/American rock outfit System of a Down, Scottish alt rock heroes Biffy Clyro, Trent Reznor’s iconic Nine Inch Nails, emo favourites Fall Out Boy, Mercury Prize winners Alt J, indie-folk upstart Jake Bugg, and French indie pop purveyors Phoenix.

With all bases covered for rock, the festival has in recent years moved towards more mainstream affairs, keeping the largely youthful audience more than happy. With Radio One getting in on the action too with their own Radio One stage and Radio One Dance stage, expect to see live some of the biggest stars of Radio brought to you live and direct. These range from dubstep supergroup Magnetic Man, Pendulum’s offspring Knife Party, and EDM monolith Skrillex, to foul-mouthed genius Azealia Banks and hip hop star A$ap Rocky. Add into the mix a headlining gig from none other than Eminem, accompanied by a full on Chase & Status rave attack, and you have a stunning weekend on your hands.

The pioneering twin festivals have been going strong since 1999, with Reading being the originator in 1971. They are festivals that continue to embody the punk spirit, and maintain its status as a starting point for the younger generations, an essential part of the growing up process. You’ll go to Leeds or Reading as a child, and return an adult. A family festival this ain't.

Last year’s festival proved to be a riotous success, a perfect embodiment of The Undertones' classic ‘Teenage Kicks’ if there ever was one one. Full of angst, expressionism, and tough love, Leeds and Reading remains a celebration of unbridled energy, completely unpredictable and thrillingly pandemonious. What makes the festival twins so special is the relentless high octane atmosphere, the anything goes spirit, and the absolute dedication of the fans to their bands, their idols.

Get your tickets to Reading Festival // Leeds Festival Tickets are also available through Skiddle (below).

Tickets are no longer available for this event