Lewis Capaldi has been announced as one of the headline acts for Reading & Leeds Festival 2023.
The Scots star is among good company as Foals, Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Fender and Imagine Dragons were also revealed as part of the line-up announcement today (Friday). Capaldi, whose second album Broken By Desire to be Heavenly Sent is due out next year, makes his headline debut at the festival.
The Someone You Loved singer last performed at the twin shows in 2018 and says he's "so excited" to be returning to a bigger audience.
He said: “I am so, so excited to be one of the headliners for Reading & Leeds Festival. Unreal that last time I played was to a wee crowd in 2018. Can’t wait to see you all next year.”
The 26-year-old also told Twitter fans it's a "dream come true" to be headlining the event - but he had a couple of other words in reply to criticism of his high billing at the festival after some fans complained about the amount of pop acts on the bill.
One unhappy fan wrote: "I can’t believe it man blink 182 r right there for the taking and u went hmmm Lewis capaldi sounds abt right."
Another ranted: "its genuinely awful, lewis capaldi headlining over bicep is an outrage too. lineups like this is what killed v festival, theyre gonna end up doing the same to r&l if they literally keep on booking npc music and whatevers big on tiktok, its a shame cus it is a fun festival."
While a third agreed: "lewis capaldi, becky hill & billie eilish all in one weekend is my version of hell reading & leeds fest wtf."
In typical Capaldi style, the West Lothian crooner shared a cheeky two-word retort to haters, saying: "‘Reading and leeds is a ROCK festival what the f*** is Lewis capaldi doing there’ ‘Lewis capaldi isn’t festival material' F*** ye. Dream come true to be one of the headliners for @OfficialRandL next year, see ye there x"
Fans of the Bruises hitmaker had rushed to his defence, and shared their excitement for his performance next summer. One said: "Good on you...I was at Leeds last year and plenty of variety on the bill. You deserve a slot. Megan There Stallion is hardly rock or Charlie XCX. Both drew big crowds"
"Proud of you angel make them regret they ever said something bad about you," gushed another. A third agreed: "So so happy and proud of you x"
Capaldi isn't the only Scottish talent announced for the festival as Whitburn rockers The Snuts and dance music double act LF System will also take to the stage next year.
Tickets for the three-day events, taking place on August 25 to 27, go on sale at 9am on Monday (December 12), with further acts to be announced.
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