Reading & Leeds Festival Final Names Added | Festival News

With just over two weeks to go the final preparations are being made for this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival. With seven stages and countless extra activities running over the weekend everybody will need all their energy to see all the fantastic entertainment over the August Bank Holiday.

Huw Stephens will be the compare on the Main Stage at Reading Festival with Colin Murray and Gill Mills at Leeds, Mike Davies will oversee proceedings in the Lock Up Stage at Reading with Gazz Snowdon doing the honours at Leeds. There are additions to The Alternative Stage at both sites and also the late night entertainment, with the full line up confirmed from Transgressive Records who take over The Alternative Stage at Leeds when the sun goes down; as well as the all new Relentless Energy Sessions Arena at Leeds. At both sites we will also have the Silent Arena with DJs including Steve Lamacq, Bethan Elfyn & The Vinyl Vendettas, Huw Stephens, My Ex Boyfriends Records, Jen Long, Fingers and Thumbs (Reading) & the legendary Silent Arena DJs (Reading &Leeds).

THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE:

New names set to appear at Reading:

PAUL CHOWDHRY has distinguished himself as one of the most talented and popular comedians to have recently emerged, with the ability and diversity to effortlessly straddle the urban and main stand-up circuits as an international headline act. Constantly challenging and relentlessly inventive comedy fuels an eclectic set punctuated by impressive feats of mimicry and verbal dexterity. Paul’s highly charged dry observational humour taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain.

Co-star and co-writer of Frankie Boyle’s ‘Tramadol Nights’ on Channel Four, TOM STADE’s magnetic stage presence, irrepressible charm and first class story-telling have now firmly established him as one of the most sought after performers on the UK and international circuit, On stage, he shares his off-beat world as he recounts his global adventures – often with a little help from inimitable sidekick Jimmy – and never fails to have his audience in stitches.

Full of passion and charisma, JARRED CHRISTMAS takes the audience on a hilarious thrill ride of laughs and gasps with an edge of anger that manifests itself in his incredible rants against the small things in our lives, he been called “one of the funniest men to pick up a microphone” by Time Out.

A regular headliner at all Australian comedy venues and MC for the Friday at Reading, WAYNE DEAKIN has toured throughout the USA, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and the Isle of Man. As well as his solo Melbourne Comedy Festival shows, Deakin’s New York tours included consecutive nights at Caroline’s, New York’s premier comedy venue and headlining New York Improv. Performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival and doing a week as MC at the world famous Laff Trax in Las Vegas are current career highlights..until Reading that is!

Londoner MICHAEL FABBRI made his mark on the UK circuit by reaching the final of Channel 4’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ Sharp and smart, his quick-witted technique catches his audience unaware but ensures they can’t help but laugh along with him, despite his honest approach to some of life’s more touchy subjects.

In his short comic career MIKE BUBBINS has already supported Rhod Gilbert on his sold out nationwide tour and brought his debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A finalist in the ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ competition, he has also become a regular guest comedian on BBC Radio Wales and won fans at some of the biggest comedy clubs across the UK. Festival-goers can see why when he takes the MC role on Sunday after gracing Leeds with his presence on the Friday.

New names added to the Leeds line-up include:

DAVE FULTON says he started comedy back when it was popular and profitable and decided to stay on past the point of when it wasn't. He is opinionated, pulls the punches in his observations and yet has a laid back stage manner that disguises a raw aggression. Commenting on a varied melting pot of issues that sometimes even he doesn't want to explore, this is un-missable comedy from one of the most dynamic and innovative comedians breaking on the comedy circuit at the moment.

Award-winning writer GORDON SOUTHERN has years of comedy experience under his belt and is one of the most sought after headline acts on the UK circuit. His upbeat delivery combined with his fantastically funny observational comedy and quick-witted improvisation has now secured his place as an audience favourite.

Not content with all the comedy and music on offer, there will be also be screenings of the acclaimed film KABOOM, a smart and sexy apocalyptic comedy from cult director Gregg Araki Stylish; wickedly funny and featuring a hot young cast, KABOOM has been described by Rolling Stone as “an erotic blast of sinful flesh, fun and fantasy that you don’t want to stop”. Written and directed by Morgan Spurlock, of Supersize Me fame, THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD is a documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.

At both Reading & Leeds, the short films MIXTAPE and DISCO will be shown from multi-award winning writer/director Luke Snellin. MIXTAPE follows Ben who spends his time listening to his Dad's old 70's vinyl and making mixtapes on an old double deck tape recorder. to try and woo the girl next door, Lily, the girl of his dreams. DISCO is set in the English summer of 1997, Oasis reach number one with 'D'you Know What I Mean'. Tony Blair has moved his stuff in to Downing Street. Meanwhile Danny is trying to tell a girl named Pippa that he likes her. On this Friday we follow Danny through mis-communication, gossip, chinese whispers and a love triangle between Danny, Pippa and his best friend Greg.

At Leeds, the party runs into the night with Transgressive Records

TRANSGRESSIVE & FRIENDS PRESENT... THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2011:

For 2011, Transgressive’s fifth year in presenting artists, visuals and DJs at Leeds Festival, Transgressive's booking power extends from our traditional Sunday 'closing night' slot, to also incorporating an additional evening of programming on Saturday night.

Saturday will showcase some of our generation's most exciting and quality songwriters, in the form of Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit (exclusive live set), Pete and the Pirates, and the hotly tipped Dry the River.

Sunday will incorporate more challenging and diverse electronica-tinged themes, with exclusive sets from all of SBTRKT (live), Gold Panda (live), Becoming Real (live), and Three Trapped Tigers (live).

More surprises to be added on the nights themselves.
Saturday:
8.45pm - 9.15pm: Transgressive DJ's
9.15pm - 9.50pm: DRY THE RIVER (LIVE)
9.50pm - 10.20pm: Rockfeedback DJ's
10.20pm - 11.00pm: PETE AND THE PIRATES (LIVE)
11.00pm - 11.30pm: Transgressive & paradYse DJ's
11.30pm - 12.15am: JOHNNY FLYNN AND THE SUSSEX WIT (LIVE)
12.15am - 2.30am: GOLDIEROCKS DJ, PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS DJ's PULLED APART BY HORSES

Sunday: 8.45pm - 9.15pm: Rockfeedback DJ's
9.15pm - 9.50pm: THREE TRAPPED TIGERS (LIVE)
9.50pm - 10.15pm: Transgressive & paradYse DJ's
10.15pm - 11.00pm: GOLD PANDA (LIVE)
11.00pm - 11.30pm: BECOMING REAL (LIVE / DJ set)
11.30pm - 12.15am: SBTRKT (LIVE)
12.15am - 2.30am: TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB DJ SET PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS DJ's

THE RELENTLESS ENERGY SESSIONS ARENA:

At Leeds only, Relentless will be showcasing their new for 2011 Relentless Energy Sessions Arena in the village with late night DJ’s over four days from 10pm – 3am.

Thursday
Goldie Rocks
Plastic Thumbs
Grooverider