Comeback kings Libertines excited over return to Leeds Festival

THEIR reunion date in London’s Hyde Park was one of last year’s most rapturously-received concerts.
The Libertines will headline on Sunday at this year's Leeds Festival.The Libertines will headline on Sunday at this year's Leeds Festival.
The Libertines will headline on Sunday at this year's Leeds Festival.

Now indie rockers The Libertines are set to cement their reputation as music’s comeback kings with a high-profile show at this summer’s Leeds Festival.

Pete Doherty, Carl Barat and co were tonight confirmed as the third main stage headliner for the three-day bash at Bramham Park, near Wetherby.

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And it seems the band’s two leaders can’t wait to make their return to an event they most recently graced in 2010.

Bass player John Hassall said: “We’re really excited to be playing Reading and Leeds this year.

“There is a great vibe in the band and we should be doing some new songs too. So it’ll be the best Reading and Leeds ever.”

Festival boss Melvin Benn said: “I saw Carl at (last week’s) NME Awards and he was walking on air at the thought of it.”

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“Everybody knows Pete and Carl had a period of not getting on,” said Mr Benn. “All of that is so far from where they are now.

“When they played Hyde Park, it seemed to dawn on them that they are amazing together.”

Other acts newly confirmed for the festival – billed as “the most extraordinary weekend in the north of England” – include All Time Low, Bring Me The Horizon, Kendrick Lamar, The Maccabees, Limp Bizkit, Swim Deep and Everything Everything.

Frank Turner, The Wombats, Ash, Neck Deep, Lonely The Brave, Marmozets, New Found Glory and Panic! At The Disco have also joined the bill.

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The August Bank Holiday weekend event’s previously-announced main stage headliners are Mumford & Sons and Metallica.

Royal Blood, Bastille and Wolf Alice were among the other names revealed earlier this month.

Festival chiefs tonight also announced that they have slashed the cost of day tickets for this year’s event.

The tickets have been reduced in price from last summer’s £92.50 to £59.50 – a drop of 35 per cent.

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Mr Benn said: “Having spent some time reviewing the ticket price and talking to people about it I felt that where we had got to with the day price was too high.”

Day ticket holders will not be able to gain entrance to Bramham Park’s campsites.

For further information, visit the www.leedsfestival.com website.

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