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First performers take to the stage at festival

News imageGetty Images Beth McCarthy performs at the 2026 Reading Festival at Richfield Avenue Getty Images
Beth McCarthy seemed to be enjoying being in Reading on Friday

Performers have taken to the stage as the Reading Festival officially got under way.

Organisers have said it is the first time for 25 years that all headliners at Reading and its sister festival in Leeds are exclusively British and Irish acts.

About 100,000 people are expected to see performers including Charli xcx, Raye, Chase & Status, Dave and Fontaines D.C., ahead of the annual event closing on Sunday.

Jamie T, Beth McCarthy and Keo were amongst those pictured on Friday.

News imageGetty Images Finn Keogh of KEO performs at the 2026 Reading Festival. He is wearing sunglasses and is wearing a black Kangol hat, white trousers and green jacket.Getty Images
Finn Keogh of Keo was also snapped performing at the festival earlier
News imageGetty Images A picture of the main stage at the Reading Festival, with a screen saying Pepsi Reading on it. There are barriers in front of the stage with a smattering of people in front of it. Getty Images
The sun shone on the festival's main stage before the acts took to it on Friday morning
News imageGetty Images Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher of Royal Blood perform live on stage during the 2026 Reading Festival.Getty Images
Royal Blood's Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher were amongst the performers
News imageGetty Images A picture of Jamie T, standing in the centre of the stage, and his band on stage. There is a massive sign that says JAMIE T behind them.Getty Images
Jamie T (obviously) and his band were also in Reading
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