The Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro have been announced as the replacement for Queens Of The Stone Age (QOTSA) at Reading & Leeds 2021, with more names joining the line-up for the epic festival.
QOTSA were meant to co-headline the Sunday of Reading and Friday of Leeds alongside Liam Gallagher but then had to pull out “due to restrictions and logistics”. Biffy Clyro will now step up as their replacement to headline the festival for the third time, telling fans: “We cannot wait to get out there and play for you all again after such a tough year… It’s gonna fuck!”
Due to restrictions and logistics, Queens of The Stone Age are no longer performing at #RandL21. But you asked and we answered! @biffyclyro has now been added to the line-up alongside other acts! Head to our website to get the latest announcements, news and MORE pic.twitter.com/PbS7m0vsB1
— Reading & Leeds Fest (@OfficialRandL) July 28, 2021
There have also been a few other noteworthy additions to the line-up of the festival including Inhaler, Holly Humberstone, Bakar and Che Lingo. There will be two main stages and six headliners at this year’s event with the bills being topped elsewhere by Disclosure, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Post Malone and Stormzy.
Despite QOTSA’s cancellation, there are still other well-known international names remaining on the line-up – including Post Malone, Madison Beer, Girl In Red, Fever 333 and Sigrid.
Leaders of the UK’s live music scene are also calling on the government to allow for “cultural quarantine” passes in order to let international bands and artists perform at gigs and festivals this summer without having to self-isolate upon arrival. However, Reading & Leeds boss Melvin Benn spoke to NME earlier this year, sharing his confidence in the acts from overseas being able to appear.
“I can’t comment on other festivals, but the international acts that are playing Reading & Leeds are telling me that if it’s safe to come then they’re coming,” he said. “By safe, we mean safe for the punters. That’s all I know. They’re being very explicit at this point in time. I’m very much looking forward to them fulfilling that. The reality is that we’re going to have a great line-up and a great festival come what may.”
Last week, it was announced that those attending Reading & Leeds will need to prove their COVID-19 status before being allowed entry. Ticket-holders will have to prove they are fully vaccinated and have had their second dose at least 14 days before the festival, as well as a negative NHS lateral flow test taken prior to travel on the day of arrival at the event, or proof of natural immunity based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival.
Biffy Clyro’s new slot at the festival follows off the back of the band’s 2020 Number One Album ‘A Celebration Of Endings‘, with another new record also set to drop later this year.
