Reading/Leeds festival organiser Melvin Benn believes it is ‘the right time’ for Biffy Clyro to headline his event after first discussing the idea last year.
“It was probably about 18 months ago, I just listened to their albums and spoke with their manager and they would say, ‘Oh, can they headline?’ and I felt like the timing wasn’t right. But now it’s the right time,” Benn tells NME. “We had that conversation internally with the band and we all felt like it was the right time. I’d say that’s a real statement of our faith and desire to make sure that we get the opportunity for young British bands to come forward.”
Biffy Clyro will top the bill at the twin festivals at the end of August along side Eminem and Green Day. Continuing, Benn earmarks their Main Stage performances – which are due on the Friday in Leeds and Sunday in Reading – as being potentially his standout gigs of the weekend.
“The most special moment for me will be when Biffy take the stage as headliners at Reading and Leeds,” he says. “They are one of the bands that cut their teeth at Reading and Leeds.”