A bastion of the British festival circuit and one of the biggest and best events of the summer, Reading Festival (along with the sister event Leeds Festival) is just around the corner. With huge global acts on the bill, it's not a weekend to miss. However even if you didn't manage to snag a ticket yourself, there's a super simple way of catching all the biggest and best performances as they happen, and on demand afterwards. Follow our guide below as we explain how to watch Reading and Leeds Festival 2022 and stream performances for FREE wherever you are in the world.
When?: August 26-28
FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer (UK)
Watch anywhere: try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free for 30-days
Whether you missed out on tickets when they were released or just didn't fancy being up to your armpits in mud come Sunday evening, the BBC has got your back. With live acts and catch-up available, there's no reason to suffer any potential FOMO.
Reading's biggest draw is its absolute mixed bag of headliners, ranging from the inimitable Megan Thee Stallion and wordsmith Dave to Arctic Monkeys and deathcore scenesters turned hard rockers Bring Me the Horizon. Charli XCX and AJ Tracey have also recently been announced.
While Rage Against the Machine's cancellation has no doubt rattled some festivalgoers, replacements The 1975 are still sure to put on a show – although admittedly a rather different one.
Others to look out for are afro-swing sensation Pa Salieu, Danny Brown, DnB all-stars Sigma and Wilkinson, Little Simz, and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes.
So, if you're in the mood for a dance around the living room, read on as we explain how to watch Reading and Leeds Festival anywhere in the world – starting with how to watch Reading and Leeds for FREE in the UK.
How to watch Reading and Leeds Festival 2022 online for FREE
How to watch a Reading and Leeds live stream from anywhere
Unfortunately, if you try to watch your domestic coverage of Reading and Leeds Fest 2022 from somewhere outside your home country, you'll soon find a problem - geo-blocking.
That's where the broadcaster prevents you from watching your usual feed from abroad. It's a common problem for streamers all over the world, but there's an easy solution. The best VPN – otherwise known as a virtual private network – can alter your IP address to make it appear like you’re somewhere else. While this can be used for privacy, it can also be used to access your preferred streaming platform back home, even when you're out of the country.
How to use a VPN to watch Reading and Leeds Festival 2022
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select a UK location for BBC iPlayer.
3. Go to the BBC iPlayer stream - head to BBC iPlayer on your browser or app site or app and watch as if you were at home.
Can I watch Reading Festival 2022 in the US, Canada, Australia and anywhere else?
When is Reading and Leeds 2022?
While the festival site will no doubt be a hive of activity from Wednesday, the core line up and televised performances run from Friday, 26 August to Sunday, 28 August.
What's the difference between Reading and Leeds?
Reading Festival is held at Richfield Avenue in central Reading, while Leeds Festival is held Bramham Park near Wetherby.
Both boast the same eclectic line-up, but on different days. So, what's playing on Friday at Reading will be at Leeds on Saturday, Reading's Saturday line up will be on Sunday in Leeds, and Reading's closing performances on Sunday will open the show on Friday at Leeds.
Reading 2022 lineup, days
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 (LEEDS: SATURDAY, AUGUST 27)
Main Stage East
- Dave
- Polo G
- Little Simz
- Circa Waves
- Griff
- Black Honey
- Special Guests: Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
Main Stage West
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Glass Animals
- All Time Low
- Joy Crookes
- Wallows
- bbno$
- The Sherlocks (Reading only)
Click for the full Reading and Leeds line-up
Radio 1 Dance Stage
- Gorgon City
- Biscits
- Jaguar
- Meg Ward
- Nia Archives
- PinkPantheress
- Bakar
- Everyone You Know
- Piri & Tommy
- Joey Valence & Brae
Festival Republic Stage
- Fever 333
- As It Is
- Cleopatrick
- Tigress
- Sick Joy
- Tigercub
- Kid Kapichi
- Scene Queen
- With Fever
- The Scratch
- Beauty School Dropout
Radio 1Xtra Stage
- Pa Salieu
- Potter Payper
- Knucks
- Morrisson
- Fumez The Engineer
- Hazey
- Jords
- Sir Spyro
- Queen Millz
- Kasst x AJFrmThe8
BBC Introducing Stage
- Dan D'Lion
- Bilk
- Priestgate
- Dolores Forever
- Caity Baser
- Deadletter
- Sisi
- Flowerovlove
- Honeyglaze
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 (LEEDS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 28)
Main Stage East
- Arctic Monkeys
- Wolf Alice
- Fontaines DC
- AJ Tracey
- The Lathums
- Dayglow
Main Stage West
- Bring Me the Horizon
- D-Block Europe
- Enter Shikari
- Poppy
- De'Wayne
- The Sherlocks
Radio 1 Dance Stage
- Wilkinson
- Sigma
- A.M.C. ft. Phantom
- Madison Beer
- Tai Verdes
- Gus Dapperton
- Obskür
- Tommy Farrow
- Luude
- AMA
- Police Car Collective
Festival Republic Stage
- HO99O9
- carolesdaughter
- Cassyette
- Sueco
- Kid Brunswick
- Taipei Houston
- The Skinner Brothers
- Static Dress
- Thumper
Radio 1Xtra Stage
- Krept & Konan
- Unknown T
- JPEGMafia
- French the Kid
- Country Dons
- SwitchOTR
- DJ Target
- Ty Leone
- Ojerime
- Crystal Millz
- JBEE
- Nukuluk
BBC Introducing Stage
- Alissic
- Joesef
- Christian Alexander
- Grove
- Bemz
- Uninvited
- Jazmine Flowers
- Gabe Coulter
- Corella
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 (LEEDS: FRIDAY, AUGUST 26)
Main Stage East
- The 1975
- Charli XCX
- Run the Jewels
- Pale Waves
- Denzel Curry
- Willow
- Mallrat
Main Stage West
- Halsey
- Bastille
- DMA's
- Bad Boy Chiller Crew
- Bru-C
- The K's
Radio 1 Dance Stage
- Hybrid Minds
- Bou
- Kanine
- TS7 (live)
- The Stickmen Project
- Ashnikko
- 100 Gecs
- Gayle
- Dylan
- Sad Night Dynamite
Festival Republic Stage
- Beabadoobee
- Role Model
- Stone
- Chloe Moriondo
- The Blinders
- Crawlers
- Courting
- The Native
- Daisy Brain
- Abby Roberts
- Brooke Combe
- CVC
Radio 1Xtra Stage
- Arrdee
- Danny Brown
- a1 x J1
- Comfy
- M'Way
- V.I.C
- Mugun
- Wes Nelson
- Mnelia
- Joe Unknown
BBC Introducing Stage
- Miso Extra
- Claudia Valentine
- Anorak Patch
- Lice
- Panic Shack
- Emby
- Meduulla
- Boy Bleach
- Just Wondering