Royal Blood Kick Off Massive U.S. Tour This Weekend at Coachella

Royal Blood Kick Off Massive U.S. Tour This Weekend at Coachella

BRIT and NME Award-winning UK duo Royal Blood return to the U.S. this weekend to kick off an extensive U.S. tour that will include the band's debut appearance at Coachella the next two weekends. On Monday, April 13th the band will launch a headlining run of dates with a SOLD OUT show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, followed by seven more SOLD OUT headlining dates. Royal Blood will also appear at the Governors Ball and Bonnaroo festivals this summer and will support the Foo Fighters for 16 dates. For a complete itinerary, see below.

Following their explosive live performance at the BRIT Awards in London this past February, Royal Blood will perform their current single "Figure It Out" on Conan on Thursday, April 16th at 11:00p / 10:00p CST* on TBS. (*Check local listings)

Fresh off winning two NME Awards for 'Best Live Band' and 'Best New Band' and a BRIT Award for 'Best British Group', Royal Blood have spent the year touring around the globe and winning over audiences in support of their self-titled debut album, which was released on August 25th by Warner Bros. Records and debuted at Number 1 on the UK Album Chart. Shortly after, the album was nominated for the UK's prestigious Mercury Prize. The album has sold over 500,000 copies globally and been streamed over 35 million times on Spotify alone.

Royal Blood is a mixture of anguished vocals, ferocious drumming and bass that provides intricate detail as well as a rumble of rhythm. Entertainment Weekly praised the band's "muscle-car riffs and bluesy snarls", while Rolling Stone proclaimed "the band is surely well on its way to becoming a household name." Pitchfork noted the band's "crushing, contorted groove" and "telepathic sense of connectivity". USA Today declared them "the biggest breakouts in rock this year." 

UPCOMING LIVE DATES

NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING DATES

April 13 - The Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA# - SOLD OUT

April 14 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA# - SOLD OUT

April 15 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA# - SOLD OUT

April 17 - Glass House - Pomona California - SOLD OUT

April 19 - Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA# - SOLD OUT

May 23 - Vogue Theatre - Vancouver, BC# - SOLD OUT

May 25 - Wonderland Ballroom - Portland, OR# - SOLD OUT

May 27 - Murray Theater - Salt Lake City, UT#

May 28 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO#

May 30 - Wooly's - Des Moines, IA#

May 31 - Wooly's - Madison, WI#

June 1 - The Rave II - Milwaukee, WI

June 3 - Metro - Chicago, IL - SOLD OUT

June 4 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH

June 10 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC# - SOLD OUT

June 11 - Amos' Southend - Charlotte, NC#

June 13 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GA# 

#Supported by Mini Mansions

FESTIVALS

April 10-12 - Coachella - Indio, CA

April 17-19 - Coachella - Indio, CA

June 5-7 - Governors Ball - New York, NY

June 11-14 - Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN

SUPPORTING FOO FIGHTERS

July 6 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ

July 8 - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre - Toronto, ON

July 9 - Molson Canadian Amphitheater - Toronto, ON

July 13 - Susquehanna Center - Camden, NJ

July 15 - Citi Field - New York, NY

July 16 - Citi Field - New York, NY

July 19 - Fenway Park - Boston, MA

August 12 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

August 13 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

August 16 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheater - Denver, CO

August 17 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheater - Denver, CO

August 19 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheater - Maryland Heights, MO

August 21 - Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO

August 22 - Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, MN

August 24 - DTE Energy Center - Detroit, MI

August 25 - First Niagra Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA 

http://royalbloodband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK

https://twitter.com/royalblooduk

http://www.youtube.com/royalblooduk

https://soundcloud.com/royalblooduk

Reading and Leeds Festival Announces Second Wave Of Artists For 2015

Reading and Leeds Festival Announces Second Wave Of Artists For 2015

Reading and Leeds Festivals are very excited to announce Mumford and Sons as Main Stage headliners!  The British rock band last appeared at Reading and Leeds in 2010 when they performed a triumphant set to a packed NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage. The band return to Reading and Leeds just four years later as Festival headliners.  

Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:

“I’m delighted to have secured Mumford and Sons for Main Stage headliners this summer and can’t wait to see them return to the Festivals for their first UK performance in over two years. With today’s announcement of a further eight great acts joining the bill, the Reading & Leeds line-up is already shaping up to be one of the best ever and I’m looking forward to revealing the third headliner and even more great artists soon.”

Reading and Leeds continue to tear-up the festival season by securing performances from some of the biggest bands around.

Royal Blood bring what the NME memorably described as an “absolute turbo bastard of a rock record” to Reading and Leeds exclusively this summer; the duo’s unique take on drums and bass has seen their self-titled debut sell almost a million copies worldwide to date.

Bastille are no strangers to the Festivals, having debuted on the Festival Republic Stage in 2012 then returned to storm the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage in 2013.

As one of the biggest progressive-house producers in the world, deadmau5 promises to use incredible live production to give Reading and Leeds fans one of the biggest dance sets of the weekend.

Supergroup Rebel Sound formed of Chase and Status, Rage, David Rodigan and Shy FX combine reggae and dancehall beats through to drum ‘n’ bass and jungle – Chase & Status gave Reading and Leeds ‘crowd destroying’ sets in 2013; fans won’t know what is going hit them this summer.

Chase and Status said: "The last time we played Reading & Leeds, the crowd were insane and we had to stop the set four times – there was so much energy. This year, we’re coming back as Rebel Sound, Culture Clash Champions 2014 – ourselves and Rage, David Rodigan and Shy FX. We’ve only performed together once and it’s safe to say that night was incredible. We’re already preparing the new dubs…can’t wait to see what the Reading and Leeds crowd will bring this summer.”

Having spent years on the road honing their craft Catfish and The Bottlemen’s debut LP ‘The Balcony’ saw them catapulted into the public consciousness. With a sold out tour on the horizon including two nights at the legendary Brixton Academy, Reading and Leeds is the perfect place to catch tunes like their irrepressible single ‘Cocoon’.

The band said: "Made up to announce that we'll be back at this year’s Reading and Leeds! Last year really was a gamechanger for us and one of, if not the best shows we've ever done! This year's gonna blow it away..."

After recently topping the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, London’s Years and Years will be making their Reading and Leeds debut. Bringing their expertly considered pop melodies to the Festival to perform singles, ‘Desire’ ‘Take Shelter’ and ‘King,’ they'll show why they've been deservedly crowned stars.

The band said: "Wooooo we are so excited to be playing Reading and Leeds Festival! We'll be bringing three times as many synths as Metallica - can't wait to party with you all."

Lead by the beautiful, melancholy vocals of lead singer Ellie Rowsell, North London’s Wolf Alice craft skuzzy grunge-pop of a quality that has seen them championed by media and fans who have pushed them up through the ranks of Reading and Leeds.

Youthful indie-punk four piece hailing from Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh Valleys, Pretty Vicious have already received daytime BBC Radio 1 support from the likes of Fearne Cotton and Greg James. The band’s set is sure to turn heads at the Festivals this summer.

Mesmerising singer and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt will be returning to Reading and Leeds this summer with his spellbinding vocals, triggered samples and amazing guitar solos.

Hannah Wants began the year named as Mixmag’s breakthrough DJ of 2014 and will make her Reading and Leeds debut with her hard-hitting, heavy bass sound. Hannah’s bound to put her mark on the Festivals when she drops her hit ‘Rhymes’.

Newly announced today:

Mumford and Sons (Headliner: England and Wales Festival Exclusive)

Royal Blood (UK Summer Festival Exclusive)

Bastille (England and Wales Festival Exclusive)

Deadmau5

Rebel Sound feat. Chase and Status and Rage, David Rodigan and Shy FX

Catfish and The Bottlemen

Years and Years

Wolf Alice

Pretty Vicious

Jack Garratt

Hannah Wants

Previously announced:

Metallica (Headliner and UK Festival Exclusive)

Jamie T

Pierce The Veil

Wilkinson (Live)

Run The Jewels

Refused

Manchester Orchestra

For a full list of national outlets, plus details of luxury camping options, please visit: www.readingfestival.com / www.leedsfestival.com

Children 12 and under are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

The Charlatans to headline Brooklyn Bow London

The Charlatans to headline Brooklyn Bow London

The BPI has today announced that The Charlatans are topping the bill at Brooklyn Bowl on Friday 20th February as part of BRITs Week 2015.

This one-off gig will give music fans a great chance to see one of the UK's most enduring home-grown rock acts in what is an already exciting week for British music in the capital in the lead up to The BRIT Awards 2015.

Tickets priced at £20 will go on sale 9.00am Wednesday 28th January from www.axs.com/britsweek and from DICE.fm. A contribution from all tickets will go to War Child. Support comes from We Are The Ocean and Superfood.

BRITs Week, a joint partnership between the BPI and AEG and made possible with support from London First, is an exciting series of special one-off gigs and events taking place in London in celebration of the most prestigious night in the UK music calendar, The BRIT Awards 2015. George Ezra, Royal Blood and Take That are among the other music acts taking part in BRITs Week to ensure everybody knows that the BRITs are coming! BRITs Week 2015 is in association with Heineken.

The Charlatans, fronted by Tim Burgess, are celebrating 25 years since their debut album was released in 1990 with their 12th studio album Modern Nature which is out this week. The band, known for classics including 'The Only One I Know', 'Telling Stories' and 'One From Another', will be sure to put on an amazing show in one of London's best new live music venues.

The BRIT Awards 2015 take place at The O2 in London on Wednesday 25 February and will be broadcast live on ITV.

NME Awards 2015 Royal Blood, The Vaccines and Run The Jewels confirm live performances

NME Awards 2015 Royal Blood, The Vaccines and Run The Jewels confirm live performances

Royal Blood, The Vaccines and Run The Jewels are the first three acts to confirm they will be performing live at next month's prestigious NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas.  The most rock ’n’ roll ceremony of the year takes place at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on Wednesday, February 18, tickets are available now at NME.com/tickets 

Nominated for seven NME Awards Royal Blood have had an incredible 12 months, the Brighton duo released their acclaimed debut album Royal Blood last summer, it hit number one and became the fastest selling British Rock debut in over three years.  This will be The Vaccines first major live performance in over a year, they have been busy recording their third studio album which is set for release later this year and will be showcasing brand new material.  Following their critically acclaimed NME Awards nominated new album, Run The Jewels 2, and incendiary live dates around the world, US Hip Hop duo Run The Jewels will also be performing.  

Since it opened in December thousands of music fans have cast votes across 22 categories for the NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas. Kasabian lead the nominations this year with an incredible eight whilst Royal Blood and Jamie T follow closely with seven nominations each. 

To vote please visit www.nme.com/awardsvote

Public tickets for the NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas are on sale now, available at NME.com/tickets. Balcony seats will be priced at £25 plus booking fee, while Pit Standing tickets, for fans who want to be right up close to the action, will be priced at £40 plus booking fee. All attendees must be 18+. 

Tour/show tickets available from:

www.nme.com/tickets or 0844 858 6765

For more details keep checking www.nme.com  

#nmeawards

#austinrocks

Circa Waves Announce Biggest U.K. tour to date and details of new single

Circa Waves Announce Biggest U.K. tour to date and details of new single

Circa Waves have announced details of the release of a new single. Fossils will be released through Virgin on Monday 19th January 2015.

The single is taken from their forthcoming debut album, details of which are to be announced shortly. Recorded as part of the album sessions at RAK studios with producer Dan Grech, Fossils, available on 7” and download, will also feature a cover of The Ronettes Be My Baby on the B-side, recorded at the historic Capitol Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

This year has seen the band go from an opening slot on the prestigious NME Awards tour alongside Interpol, Royal Blood and Temples in February to a completely sold-out headline UK tour in November.

This summer also saw the band appear at most of the UK’s leading festivals, playing to packed tents at Reading / Leeds and Latitude and a prestigious appearance on the 2nd stage at Glastonbury being highlights.

Having also played a number of the most respected festivals around the globe over the summer, including Summer Sonic in Japan, Oya in Norway and Splendour In The Grass in Australia, the band  supported The Libertines at their Alexandra Palace shows in London.

Finally, the band have announced details of their biggest UK tour to date. The shows in April 2015 follow their recent run of  sold out dates which culminated in rapturous gigs at London’s Heaven and a hometown show at the Kazimer in Liverpool.

The full list of shows is as follows:

APRIL

8th                                Newcastle                                Riverside

9th                                Glasgow                                   Garage

10th                               Sheffield                                   Leadmill

11th                               Liverpool                                   Academy

13th                               Nottingham                               Rescue Rooms

14th                               Birmingham                               Library at the Institute

16th                               Portsmouth                                Wedgewood Rooms

17th                               London                                     Shepherd’s Bush Empire

18th                               Manchester                               Ritz

Tickets for the shows will be on general sale at 9 am on Friday the 28th of November  - link here below

http://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/circa-waves

Royal Blood announce autumn European tour 2014

Royal Blood announce autumn European tour 2014

Fresh from the news that their self-titled debut album went straight to #1 with first week sales of 65,000 copies, Royal Blood can now confirm details of a new European tour which includes their first ever London headline shows at the Electric Ballroom.

Recently seen at the Reading, Leeds and Download festivals as well as guests to Arctic Monkeys at two huge shows in London’s Finsbury Park and at Dublin’s Marlay Park, Royal Blood’s reputation is building internationally too with extensive North American touring scheduled as well as strong opening week chart positions in Ireland (#1), Australia (#3) and New Zealand (#6), with more to follow imminently. Their upcoming tour dates are:

October                                                

27th – Dublin, The Academy            

29th – Newcastle, Riverside           

30th – Glasgow, O2 ABC                  

31st – Sheffield, Leadmill 

               

November

2nd – Manchester, Ritz                     

3rd – Liverpool, O2 Academy          

4th – Birmingham, Institute             

6th – London, Electric Ballroom     

7th – London, Electric Ballroom     

8th – Cambridge, Junction              

10th – Portsmouth, Pyramids         

11th – Oxford, O2 Academy            

12th – Bristol, Bierkeller                  

18th – Milan, Tunnel                           

19th – Barcelona, La (2) (Sala Apolo)           

21st – Madrid, Sala Lemon                              

22nd – Lisbon, Armazém F                              

Tickets go on general sale from 9am on September 5th. Further ticketing info can be found at http://royalbloodband.com.

Official site                   Facebook                     Twitter

Open'er festival Announces Chromeo, Jagwar Ma, Royal Blood for 2014

Poland's Finest Music Festival Open'er Announces Chromeo, Jagwar Ma, Royal Blood and Further Acts for 2014 

Chromeo

Three years ago, Chromeo closed the jubilee Open'er Festival edition with an enormous party on the Tent Stage. This year, they make their return to Gdynia with the new album "White Women" in tow. Guests on their new album include Solange, Ezra of Vampire Weekend and Toro y Moi. With hits the likes of "Tenderoni" or "Don't Turn the Lights On", expect one of the most energetic and dance-worthy sets of the festival.

Maya Jane Coles

Since storming onto the scene in 2010 Maya Jane Coles has established herself as one of the most acclaimed female DJs and producers in the world.  She made her own compilation in the prestigious "Fabric" series, putting her name to its celebratory 75th edition as well as celebrated releases for !K7 Records and a stunning Boiler Room set. Last year, she released her debut album "Comfort", giving her fans a solid dose of deep house - the genre in which she feels most comfortable. Maya Jane Coles plays the Beat Stage on July 3.

MØ

Karen Marie Ørsted goes in the business by the name MØ.  Combining her childhood fascination with Spice Girls pop and alternative bands the likes of Sonic Youth, Black Flag and Yeah Yeah Yeahs she has positioned herself alongside fellow Scandinavian and this year's Open’er artist Lykke Li, as well as Lana del Rey and Grimes as one of the most exciting female artists around. After touring the entire world with an electro-punk band, she decided to follow her own path towards electronica. Having earned support from the likes of Avicii and Major Lazer, whom she accompanied on tour, her singles, the swinging "Don't Wanna Dance" and Diplo-produced, danceable "XXX 88" preceded her critically acclaimed debut album "No Mythologies To Follow", released in March 2014. Already famous for her energetic live shows, MØ will perform one of them, her first ever one in Poland, at Open’er Festival.

Royal Blood

Could a band's career start with a t-shirt? Sure, if an Arctic Monkey wears it onstage at Glastonbury Festival. Royal Blood first came to the music fans' attention thanks to Monkeys' drummer Matt Helders T-shirt choice. If you wanted to dig deeper, you could find out that Royal Blood hail from Brighton, are a rhythm section duo (just bass and drums). They were listed for BBC Sound Of 2014, were confirmed as the support act during the Arctic Monkeys' two massive gigs in London's Finsbury Park, did a solo tour of the UK and are currently recording their debut album for Warner Music. A few months ago, a reviewer with The Guardian predicted they were going to “blow away festival crowds next summer.” We’ll find out about that at Open’er!

Jagwar Ma

Having come together in Sydney when Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfield bonded over a mutual passion of melody and experimental beats, everyone who listened to their first album, "Howlin", knows that over a few years of their activity, Jagwar Ma have continued to grow in both of these areas. Released last summer, "Howlin'" is a trip through Australian beaches, Berlin clubs and French sunflower fields, psychedelic enough to suspect that what fuelled it might not've been entirely legal. Jagwar Ma have quickly scored a status of one of the best debuts of 2013, jumped onto the bandwagon with The xx and Foals, confirming their class this year at numerous festivals. They perform on Open’er’s ALTER STAGE.

Reading and Leeds Festivals announce Arctic Monkeys to headline

It’s shaping up to be a big summer for Reading and Leeds Festivals. Having already announced headliners Blink-182 in their only UK shows of 2014, as well as Jake Bugg, Disclosure, Metronomy, Of Mice and Men, Wilkinson and I Am Legion, even more names have now been revealed! Just announced to join the line-up are headliners Arctic Monkeys with an exclusive Festival headline set in England and Wales, Courteeners, The 1975, You Me At Six, SBTRKT, Warpaint, Netsky, Annie Mac, Royal Blood, Hozier, Architects, Issues, Pusha Tand Krept and Konanacross the weekend.

Reading and Leeds are thrilled to welcome global superstars and bonafide rock heroes Arctic Monkeys back to headline the Festivals this summer. Nominated for ‘Best British Band’ at the upcoming BRIT Awards and ‘Best Live Band’ at the NME Awards, they need no introduction to the Reading and Leeds audience. First performing on one of the smaller stages in 2005 prior to the release of their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, they took their rightful place on the Main Stage in 2006, returning to headline the Festivals with an electrifying set in 2009. Voted as NME’s ‘Album of The Year’ in 2013, ‘AM’ saw the band return more confident than ever, with hits including debut single and instant classic ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High’ and ‘R U Mine?’. One if the most important bands of our time, and with Zane Lowe citing the band as ‘the last defining moment in rock and roll’, this summer the Arctic Monkeys return to Reading and Leeds for an unmissable exclusive Festival headline set in England and Wales.

Speaking to NME about Reading and Leeds, Matt Helders said: “We’ve got a lot of history with the festival. It’s the first festival I ever went to – we all went together as kids, with Nick as well. We were 15 or 16 and it was a big deal going to a festival like that on your own”.

After announcing a brief hiatus back in December, Manchester’s Courteeners will be heading to this year’s Reading and Leeds for an exclusive festival performance in England and Wales. Having first burst onto the scene with 2007’s ‘St Jude’, last year saw the band release their third Top Ten album ‘ANNA’ to their devoted throng of fans, as well as selling over 100,000 tickets. Their Reading and Leeds performances in 2009 and 2012 were highlights, with the crowd going mad for hits including ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ and ‘Lose Control’, and festival goers can expect even more from their sets this year.

One of the breakout acts of 2013, The 1975 will return to this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals. Following their huge success last year with a string of hits - ‘Chocolate’ voted ‘Number One Hottest Record of 2013’ by BBC Radio 1 listeners, ‘The City’, ‘Sex’ and ‘Girls’ - and a Number One debut album, the band are set to continue their ascendancy throughout 2014. Having sold out every UK gig put on sale to date, The 1975 will be a firm favourite on the bill this summer.

The band comment: "We grew up going to Reading and Leeds Festival. It's so humbling knowing we are going to play such a prestigious slot there this year. Cannot wait!"

With their incredible newly released fourth album ‘Cavalier Youth’, Surrey born rock quintet and Reading and Leeds veterans You Me At Six have catapulted in at Number One in the UK Album Charts this week. It would be no exaggeration to state that the band has done some growing up at Reading and Leeds over the years. 2014 marks their fourth appearance at Reading and Leeds, and this year their show will be an exclusive festival appearance in England and Wales. With three gold records full of undeniable anthems in tow, the UK's brightest young rock band may well make this their year.

SBTRKT is an alias used to support the concept of anonymity and has explained that he would prefer the music to speak for itself. To further support his anonymity, SBTRKT wears modern interpretations of native society ceremonial masks designed by Hidden Place. His music pulls off a series of impressive feats: it's bursting with fresh ideas, and yet sounds immediately familiar. Its influences are incorporated with subtlety and sophistication: dense enough to interpret, light enough to dance to.

From their much-loved 2010 debut ‘The Fool’ through to their recently released Top Ten self-titled full length, produced by Flood and mixed by Nigel Godrich, female quartet Warpaint have positioned themselves as one of the most highly regarded indie-rock bands on the planet. The LA group create a deeply personal and ambitious mix of reverb-soaked pop and shimmering post-punk that makes them a truly exciting live prospect, a perfect addition for the Reading and Leeds audiences.

One of the hottest acts in electronic music today, Belgian super producer and DJ Netsky brings his blend of uplifting melodies and potent dancefloor beats to the Festivals this summer. Netsky has risen through the ranks of drum and bass at a stratospheric pace, with his second full length record reaching No.24 in the UK Albums Chart in 2012 and a third highly anticipated album due out later this year.  Don’t miss the chance to see him transform Reading and Leeds into a rave with his summer-and-festival-ready tracks this August bank holiday weekend as he headlines the Dance Stage.

One of the most in-demand DJ’s currently on the festival and club circuit, BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac is a globally renowned name in the world of dance music. With her finger held firmly on the pulse she is a genuine champion of true underground electronic music and her Friday night BBC Radio 1 show is a testament to that. Annie is a welcome addition to the Dance line-up at Reading and Leeds Festivals; she is sure to play to packed out crowds and will no doubt be one of the highlights of the weekend!

Annie adds: “Reading and Leeds Festival is close to my heart and I went religiously back before I was a DJ.  It's been a dream to play there and I'm really looking forward to it.”

Brighton duo Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher make up the two halves of Royal Blood. Despite their minimal line-up of drums, bass and vocals the pair create melodic, riff-heavy power rock that has, since their recent 2013 inception, seen them championed by the likes of BBC Radio 1 and included in the BBC Sound of 2014 longlist. Expect this to be one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.

Hozier was raised on the building blocks of popular music: rhythm and blues, soul, jazz and the deep dark stuff stretching from Chicago to the Delta. He joined his first band when he was 15 years old, fronting a soul band with some older heads. Having taught himself to play guitar and piano, he went to Trinity College to study music, but dropped out to concentrate his talents on the creative process full time. Hozier would go on to forge a musical identity he could call his own. A place where Stevie Wonder and Billie Holiday are revered alongside James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. Singer of songs, teller of tales, Hozier’s new EP is expected this spring. It all begins here.

Having recently announced that Daniel P Carter, host of BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, will curate the dedicated rock stage in 2014, fans were given the chance to make Reading and Leeds history by suggesting a new name for this stage. Three fan nominated names made the shortlist – The Pit, The Lockdown and The Meltdown Stage, in addition to Daniel’s suggestion The Riff Haus and headliners Of Mice and Men’s The Hyphy Stage. With over 5000 votes cast, the winning name chosen by you is The Pit. Congratulations to the winners who were the first to submit the name, who will not only receive VIP upgrades for themselves and a friend, but will also get amazing side of stage access to watch a band on their newly named stage!

Reading and Leeds are proud to welcome Brighton metalcore titans Architects to The Pit and back to the Festivals this summer. Following their signing to Epitaph, the band release their hotly anticipated sixth full-length album ‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’ this March, and will bring their ferocious vocals and complex guitar riffs to Reading and Leeds for one of the most exciting sets of the weekend.

Lead vocalist of Architects, Sam Carter, says: "We’re delighted to be playing Reading and Leeds again this year! Reading festival was a huge part of our musical upbringing and it was the first festival that any of us attended. It’s an honour to be part of such a huge and prestigious festival - August can’t come soon enough!"

Rise Records six-piece Issues will this year make their inaugural trip to Reading and Leeds. Fusing crushing metal with pop sensibilities, the band release their self-titled debut album later this month and are a truly exciting addition to the Reading and Leeds line-up.

Rising to prominence as one-half of preeminent hip-hop duo Clipse, GOOD Music signee Pusha T has carved a rap career all of his own. Following his astounding appearances alongside mentor Kanye West on 2012’s label record ‘Cruel Summer’, 2013 saw the ferocious Virginia MC destroy the competition with the release of his long-awaited solo album. With the release of singles ‘Nosetalgia’ featuring Kendrick Lamar and 'Numbers on the Board', Pusha T has placed himself at the forefront of real hip-hop and this summer will bring his uniquely tense delivery to Reading & Leeds.

Championed by BBC Radio 1Xtra, MOBO award winning South London MC’s Krept and Konan have been making waves on the UK rap scene. Turning heads last year when their ‘Young Kingz’ mixtape entered the UK Top 20 independently with only limited promotion, the duo have been giving established commercial acts a run for their money. Be sure to catch their uniquely evocative brand of hip-hop at the Festivals.

The award-winning Reading and Leeds are the natural home for music lovers seeking the best acts, with the best atmosphere, surrounded by like-minded fans. With the latest names just announced for the Festivals 2014 is already shaping up to be an incredible year. See you there!

NME Awards Tour 2014 - Line up and Dates

Packed to the brim with the hottest music, the NME Awards Tour 2014 with Austin, Texas returns for 2014. Interpol, Temples, Royal Blood and Circa Waves are all confirmed to perform on the legendary tour, which kicks off in Glasgow on 18 March and ends in London on 27 March. Tickets go on presale at 9am on Wednesday 22 January via www.NME.COM and are available on general sale from 9am on Friday 24 January. 

New York rockers and kings of the post-punk revival, Interpol will headline the NME Awards Tour 2014 with Austin, Texas. The band’s fashionably dark atmospheric sound coupled with intricate guitars, Paul Banks’ somber baritone and a striking visual presence make Interpol an unmissable headliner. Expect hits ‘Slow Hands’, ‘Obstacle 1’, ‘NYC’ and ‘Evil’ plus a first look at some new material.

They supported the Rolling Stones last year and now Temples have secured the main support slot on the infamous tour. The Brit psychedelic four-piece have gained critical-acclaim over the past 12 months and will bring crowds a taste of sixties vintage pop. The band’s debut album ‘Sun Structures’ is due for release 10 February.

Nominated for the BBC’s Sound of 2014 and due to support the Arctic Monkeys this summer, noise-rock band Royal Blood will also be hitting the road with NME in March. The hotly-tipped two-piece pack a powerful punch live and are set for great things in 2014.

Securing the sought-after NME Awards Tour opening slot is Liverpool quartet Circa Waves.  The band have made quite a name for themselves already with single ‘Get Away’ chosen as ‘Hottest Record in the World’ by Radio One’s Zane Lowe.

NME editor, Mike Williams, says: “Here at NME we are always championing the best new talent, so securing three of Britain's most in demand breakthrough bands to kick off proceedings for the tour is totally exciting. Backed up with the world-beating return of Interpol – one of the most important bands to come out of New York ever – is also a massive coup for us.”

The NME Awards Tour is one of the most important events in the music calendar and has been instrumental in launching the careers of some of the biggest acts in music, including Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Florence + The Machine.

The first leg of the NME Awards Tour 2014 begins at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on 18 March before travelling to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol and wrapping up at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on 27 March.

The NME Awards Tour 2014 with Austin, Texas concludes two months of awe inspiring music events from the 2014 NME Awards season, including the NME Awards Shows which kick off on 3 February running up until 25 February at venues across London and the NME Awards 2014 night on the 26 February at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. 

Tickets go on presale at 9am on Wednesday 22 January via www.NME.COM and are available on general sale from 9am on Friday 24 January. Tickets include a 50p donation to Teenage Cancer Trust.

TOUR DATES:

18 March                   Glasgow O2 Academy

19 March                   Leeds O2 Academy

20 March                   Manchester Academy

22 March                   Liverpool O2 Academy

23 March                   Nottingham Rock City

25 March                   Birmingham O2 Academy

26 March                   Bristol O2 Academy

27 March                   London O2 Academy Brixton

Visit www.NME.com for further information.