Mumford & Sons join Metallica as Leeds Festival headliners

Now, five years later, folk rockers Mumford & Sons are preparing to move up a musical league.

The multi-million selling band were tonight revealed as one of the main stage headliners for this summer’s festival.

Acts also confirmed this evening for Leeds and its sister event in Reading include Royal Blood, Bastille, Deadmau5, Rebel Sound, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Years & Years and Wolf Alice.

US rock legends Metallica were announced as a main stage headliner by event organiser Festival Republic late last year.

Festival boss Melvin Benn said: “I’m delighted to have secured Mumford & Sons for main stage headliners this summer and can’t wait to see them return to the festivals for their first UK performance in over two years.

“With the announcement of a further eight great acts joining the bill, the Reading and Leeds line-up is already shaping up to be one of the best ever and I’m looking forward to revealing the third headliner and even more great artists soon.”

The festival is being held as usual over the August Bank Holiday weekend and tickets are on sale now.

Weekend tickets cost £205 plus £8 booking fee and postage.

People wanting to keep an eye on the pennies can book their place with a £50 deposit, with the balance then being paid in monthly instalments.

Children aged 12 and under are admitted free but must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

For further information, visit www.leedsfestival.com.

Other acts previously confirmed for this year’s festival include Jamie T, Pierce The Veil, Run The Jewels, Refused and Manchester Orchestra.

Formerly known as Mean Fiddler, Festival Republic began putting on outdoor summer music extravaganzas in Leeds in 1999.

They were originally held at Temple Newsam before making the switch to their current home of Bramham Park, near Wetherby, in 2003.

Bands that have played the festival over the years include Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Oasis.