BBC Introducing stage axed from Reading Festival

A stage at Reading Festival which previously hosted up-and-coming musicians including Ed Sheeran and Florence + the Machine has been axed.

Organisers Festival Republic announced an overhaul of stages last week, saying it would now be open to a "much wider pool of emerging talent".

As part of the plans, it said it would no longer host a BBC Introducing stage, despite the scheme having supported roughly 70% of all the UK artists on this year's line-up.

Tommy Longhurst, lead singer of Reading band Only the Poets, said the move was "sad news" for young musicians.

He said the music industry is already "really hard" for those who are just starting out, with grassroots venues struggling to stay open.

He said he believed the BBC Introducing stage "really does a lot for new artists".

Only the Poets have played several sets on the BBC Introducing stage at their home festival in previous years, most recently in 2025.

Longhurst said: "We hold those memories so highly and it was such a poignant moment for us to get to play a festival that inspired us to start the band.

"For me I think we're taking a huge opportunity from up and coming artists."

Organisers Festival Republic said it had a "big focus on championing emerging artists" and its new Canopy stage was the home for new and breaking acts.

It added: "Previously, only artists who had been selected by the BBC were qualified to play the Introducing Stage - now, we are able to open up this important platform to a much wider pool of emerging talent and book any new music artist for the stage.

"The change is fundamentally about supporting a more diverse range of up-and-coming artists, who will hopefully go on to headline the festival in years to come."

A BBC spokesperson said festivals across the UK would continue to host BBC Introducing stages this summer with "line-ups including some fantastic up-and-coming artists".

It said the decision to remove the stage at Reading had been made purely by Festival Republic, and that it was exploring how BBC Introducing could work with the event in future.

Longhurst told BBC Radio Berkshire it was "such a shame" as there was always a chance that a "future headliner" might be on the BBC Introducing stage.

"It's just an amazing opportunity that you really don't forget," he said.

The BBC Introducing stage at Reading began in 2008, and has hosted young artists including Sheeran and The 1975 before they got their breaks in the music industry.

Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and Florence + The Machine - who previously played the event's BBC Introducing stage - are among the headliners at this year's Reading Festival.

It takes place at Richfield Avenue in the Berkshire town from 27 to 30 August.