Reading and Leeds Festival 2023: do stars get paid to play festivals, how much do they get and biggest earners

The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Dave, Megan Thee Stallion, Halsey and Bring Me the Horizon are headlining
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Music fans rejoice as the huge Reading and Leeds festivals will soon return.

If you are in the north or in the south, you will be able to enjoy the absolutely stacked line-up for 2023. The festivals have exactly the same acts playing - just swapping which day they are scheduled on the bill.

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But with Reading and Leeds Festival being among the biggest in the UK each year, you might be wondering if the acts are paid and who gets the most?

Here is all you need to know:

When is Reading and Leeds Festival?

The festivals will take place over the August bank holiday weekend.

Running from Friday (25 August) to Sunday (27 August).

Reading Festival main stage. Picture: Simone Joyner/Getty ImagesReading Festival main stage. Picture: Simone Joyner/Getty Images
Reading Festival main stage. Picture: Simone Joyner/Getty Images

Do acts get paid to play the festivals?

All of the singers, bands and acts who play Reading and Leeds get paid to play the festivals.

It is common practice for all acts to be paid at festivals across the UK.

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However the exact amount they will earn varies dramatically.

GetReading reports that “it has been said for major UK festivals, payments have ranged from £1 million (in some cases per band member) down to £25,000 for lesser acts playing a supporting role”.

Who gets paid the most for playing Leeds and Reading?

The payments for acts playing the festival vary depending on their status, popularity and demand.

Headliner acts will often be paid the highest fee for appearing at a festival.

Who decides the fee for acts at the festivals?

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GetReading reports: “Usually, the promoters would reach out to the artists’ agents and upon negotiation, an initial fee would be agreed

“Then, the agent will discuss directly with the band or artist and from there, the contract would be agreed or declined, possibly leading to further negotiations.”

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