Charli XCX delivered the opening night headline performance at Reading Festival, presenting material from across her discography with enhanced production elements. The set marked her first major UK festival appearance since the release of her latest studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, which represents a stylistic shift toward rock-influenced sounds compared to her previous album Brat.
The performance opened with the album’s lead single Rock Music, followed by new tracks Wink Wink, Yeah, and Card Declined. Charli incorporated multiple costume changes throughout the show, supported by elaborate staging, pyrotechnics, strobe lighting, live band accompaniment, and an ensemble of dancers. The setlist balanced newer material with established fan favorites, including tracks from her 2017 mixtape and her sixth album Brat, which achieved significant cultural prominence in 2024.
The show concluded with No One Lasts Forever from Music, Fashion, Film, ending with spoken elements from filmmaker David Cronenberg. Fontaines DC followed as the second headliner of the evening, delayed approximately 30 minutes but performing hits including Favourite and their Grammy-nominated track Starbuster.
Earlier performances on the main stage included grime artist Skepta, who performed during rainfall, and indie artist Jamie T, who secured a last-minute 33-minute set. The new Gallery tent hosted US rock band Geese and BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 winner Skye Newman, who performed her hit tracks FU & UF and Family Matters.
Reading and Leeds festivals will feature six major headliners across the weekend. Additional acts scheduled to headline include rapper Dave, singer-songwriter Raye, electronic duo Chase & Status, and band Florence + The Machine, with festival organizers confirming these will be the only UK festival appearances for all headliners this year.
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