Reading and Leeds Festival 2017: FURY over lack of women as Kasabian confirmed to headline
READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL organisers are facing backlash due to the fact only ONE woman is on the 2017 line-up so far.
Kasabian have joined the Reading and Leeds Festival line-up
The controversy comes as Kasabian are unveiled as the event’s second headliners, following the previously announced Muse.
Fatboy Slim, Major Lazer, Bastille, Two Door Cinema Club, Circa Waves and Jimmy Eat World are also on the bill.
As it stands, only Against The Current have a female member in their midst. The rest are all either all-male groups or male soloists.
Kasabian said: “It’s been five years, and as a band we have come a long way since then. We’re looking forward to playing tunes from the new record and bringing the mosh pit to Reading & Leeds Festival.”
Kasabian have joined Muse at the top of the bill
The Reading & Leeds line-up currently features 57 men, and 1 woman. pic.twitter.com/hRFzxEkVze
— Crack In The Road (@crackintheroad) January 26, 2017
Can't believe there's only one woman on the Reading and Leeds lineup, still, a whole one more than the number of acts I want to see there
— Toby Hunt (@toby_w_hunt) January 26, 2017
the fact that reading & leeds has 57 men and 1 woman on the lineup (so far), says everything you need to know about its clientele/ethos
— Tom Stewart (@tomandrewstew) January 26, 2017
Fans will be clamouring for tickets to see them
We’re looking forward to playing tunes from the new record and bringing the mosh pit to Reading & Leeds Festival
More acts are still to be announced in the coming months, and critics are mounting pressure on organisers to up their game in terms of gender diversity.
The third and final headliner also still remains a mystery.
Last year’s roster was also criticised for being male-dominated, with CHVRCHES one of incredibly few acts to feature any female input.
Still, the reaction to Kasabian’s appointment has been largely positive.
Muse had previously been unveiled
Reading and Leeds Festival 26 - 28 August
“F**king buzzing,” one person replied on Twitter, while another said: “I'm there. Can you do Latitude as well, please think of us middle aged ageing hippies…”
The Isle of Wight Festival also added names to its line-up last week, including Kaiser Chiefs, Texas and The Shires.
Reading and Leeds runs Bank Holiday weekend 25-27 August, 2017.