12 Bands to Watch at Reading and Leeds Festivals

While it may be Axl Rose, Arcade Fire and the reunion of the Libertines grabbing the Reading- and Leeds festival headlines, there's plenty more music to experience beyond the main stage. With that in mind, several of Spinner's UK-based writers have picked the 12 bands you cannot afford to miss -- and even if you can't attend, we offer the consolation prize of a song from each band.

Pulled Apart by Horses

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Yes, this Leeds outfit often sounds as if it is being ripped asunder in some medieval execution, but one of the UK's most exciting rock groups offer much more than just shrieking. Their debut album fizzes with invention, sharp hooks and an engaging wit, though it is onstage that PABH really come into their own. Their live shows are chaotic, bloody extravaganzas -- be warned.
--Chris Mugan

We're Only Afraid of NYC

BBC Introducing Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Flying the Scots flag proudly at Reading and Leeds, this band is one of bonny Scotland's hottest properties, having recently been hand-picked to headline a gig run by esteemed Scots music bloggers Ayetunes and Peenko. Mixing the jingle-jangle guitar of new-age post-rock with chunks of alternative meat, it's grunge all over again in 2010. We're still not quite sure why they are afraid of NYC, though ...
--Chris Cope

Lynne McCormick

Everything Everything

NME/Radio 1 Stage

Fri: Leeds; Sat: Reading
The Manchester-based band is all set to bring its expansive, shifting art rock to Reading and Leeds. They were nominated as one of the BBC's Sound of 2010, so watch out for choice cut 'Suffragette Suffragette,' with its chorus "Who's gonna sit on your face when I'm gone?" Debut album 'Man Alive' references Game Gears, Photoshop and qwerty keyboards. See them before they are everywhere everywhere.
--James Lawrenson

The Black Angels

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Leeds; Sat: Reading
Soon to release their third LP, the Black Angels' ethereal psych rock has won them a strong following in the US, while those in the know on the Blighty side of the Atlantic have embraced the band's authentic '60s stylings and colossal sprawling sound. Creating a glorious cacophony of droning guitars, the Texan five-piece's dangerous brand of psychedelic rock is best experienced live, so be prepared to fall under their darkly hypnotic spell.
--Andrew Kerr

Alexandra Valenti

Summer Camp

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Real-life couple Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey look back with bittersweet fondness at long, lazy teenage summers. They filter that nostalgia through John Hughes' '80s Brat Pack movies, so understandably a lo-fi, C86 feel percolates through first single 'Ghost Train.' They're unafraid of technology, so scratchy drum patterns and samples align them with the chillwave of Memory Tapes and Washed Out.
--CM

Ebet Roberts, Redferns

Harlem

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Harlem -- who in fact hail from Austin, Texas -- have never let a thing like naming accuracy get in the way of a good time. Their self-issued 'Free Drugs ;-)' offered no complimentary narcotics, while recent Matador debut 'Hippies' was notably lacking in 10-minute bongo solos. The album, like the trio's live shows, comes stuffed with charming yelpalongs that suggest the Black Lips' (slightly) better behaved younger brothers.
--Matt Glazebrook

Ben Hider, Getty Images

Frankie and the Heartstrings

NME/Radio 1 Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Fronted by bequiffed 1950s throwback star-in-waiting Frankie Francis, and featuring former Kenickie sticksman Pete Gofton on keyboards, these Sunderland soulsters have charisma in spades. They excel in energetic old-school rock 'n' roll, with tunes so full of vim and vintage vigour they'll have you singing along in seconds.
--Jody Thompson

Wilder

BBC Introducing Stage

Sat: Leeds; Sun: Reading
These Bristolians have been catching the UK airwaves with their blend of classic indie heartache pop, in the form of debut single 'Girls vs Boys.' Recently signed to Rough Trade, Wilder built their reputation for exciting live shows via some obscure boat party antics and support slots with Julian Casablancas; Reading should expect the same, and then some.
--Emily Kendrick

Andy Wilshire

Warpaint

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Reading; Sun: Leeds
Forming in 2007, Warpaint can already claim to be Hollywood sweethearts, with fans including Billy Zane and the late Heath Ledger. The band has spent the past year writing their debut album, 'The Fool,' and their live mix of sultry three-way vocals and dreamy guitars make them the perfect support for an upcoming tour with the XX.
--EK

Taka

Goldheart Assembly

NME/Radio 1 Stage

Sat: Leeds; Sun: Reading
With swoonsome three-part harmonies, chiming guitars and a Byrds-esque way with melody, Londoners Goldheart Assembly channel the West Coast of the USA more than their local Westway flyover. The folk-pop five-piece have been touted as the British Fleet Foxes, and it's not a stretch to see why, when their hirsutely acoustic yet slightly shambolic loveliness washes over you. Perfect heartwarming, hangover blues.
--JT

Tommy Jackson, Redferns / Getty Images

Rolo Tomassi

NME/Radio 1 Stage

Fri: Leeds; Sat: Reading
Looks can be deceiving, as Rolo Tomassi prove. Frontlady Eva Spence stands meekly in promotional photos, but onstage she's a typhoon of screams and headbanging -- a perfect complement to her band's psychotic Dillinger Escape Plan-meets-screamo sound. They're no stranger to the festival circuit, with their set at this year's Download Festival one of the highlights –- if you like your guitars thrown about onstage and your drum rhythms undecipherable, that is.
--CC

Villagers

Festival Republic Stage

Fri: Leeds; Sat: Reading
It takes a very special performer indeed to be able to project fragility and confrontation at the same time. Conor J. O'Brien, the lynchpin of Mercury-nominated band Villagers, might have this skill all to his own. The band's debut album, 'Becoming a Jackal,' followed O'Brien's spine-tingling solo set on 'Later ...' while the band's subsequent shows have only added to their reputation.
--Stephen Dowling