It’s a mere two weeks away, but Leeds Festival seems to have arrived very quickly this year - could it be the onset of the heatwave, or how quickly other festivals have come around this year?
Either way, there is plenty of discussion to be had ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend; with both Lola Young and now House of Protection bowing out of this year’s festival, it leaves a gap or two open for a last-minute inclusion or, to the delight of many, a vaunted secret set that you just happened to come across this year at Bramham Park.
Could the anniversary of a long-awaited reunion announcement coax one band to perform a short but potentially very sweet set between their international tour dates? Could a hyperpop star drop a surprise DJ set? Or are we about to see the return of one of the UK’s most beloved indie acts - who at this stage might suggest to “don’t believe the ‘ype?”
Here’s our suggestion of who could be secretly performing at Leeds Festival later this month, and our reasons (nee: excuses) why they’ve made our list.
13. Charli XCX
A pop superstar with a massive album, her inclusion is a major coup for any festival. Her tour schedule is completely clear after August 15th, making her available to be in the UK. A DJ set akin to her last Boiler Room appearance is also a much simpler logistical setup, making a surprise appearance much easier to arrange than her full, admittedly incredible, show. | Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
14. Oasis
A reunion from Oasis would be a true rock and roll event. While their official UK tour dates have ended, and they have a show in Canada on Sunday, a secret gig at a festival they have a long and storied history with on Friday or Saturday is still an explosive possibility. Their presence in the UK earlier in the month and the scale of their reunion would make any appearance a once-in-a-lifetime secret set for any fan - it is almost a year since the announcement, after all. | AFP via Getty Images
15. Arctic Monkeys
There have been murmurings that old 'rock and roll' might be simmering back up to the surface again. The recent rumours about the band's new record company and a cleared website signal that a major announcement is imminent. A surprise show in their home county of Yorkshire would be a legendary way to "dust off the cobwebs" and announce their return to the world ahead of those rumoured 2026 live dates. | ANP/AFP via Getty Images