Brit Beat: Reading & Leeds Festival Boss Talks Rage Against the Machine, Maneskin Dropouts

variety.com:

Mark Sutherland As the touring business continues its uneven return after nearly two years of lockdown, one major bright spot has been the famed U.K.

festival sector, which came back with a bang this summer. Reading & Leeds Festival, the traditional finale to the season, took place last weekend and was completely sold out well in advance, contributing to what Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn calls his “best year ever.” Festival Republic staged events including Wireless, Latitude, Gunnersbury Park and huge outdoor shows from the likes of Liam Gallagher, Sam Fender and George Ezra.

But Reading & Leeds remains the jewel in the crown with another hugely successful year, despite one headliner, Rage Against the Machine, pulling out 10 days before the event, due to frontman Zack de la Rocha’s leg injury. “That was a really scary moment,” Benn tells Variety. “We did all we could to try and keep them on the show, but doctor’s orders are doctor’s orders.

People have got to look after themselves and one has to understand that.” The scramble to find a replacement saw Benn pay “a huge amount of money” to the 1975 to step in, joining other headliners including Arctic Monkeys, Halsey and Bring Me The Horizon.