Don’t Pack Your Pineapple! All You Need to Know Before Reading & Leeds Festival 2017

Lucy Bradley | 23rd August 2017

Early bird ticket holders will be descending upon Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park today for the annual Reading and Leeds festivals, but if any weekend ticket holders are still unsure on what to take, where to go or what to expect… Viva has it covered.

 

What can/can’t I bring?

Flags and cigarettes are allowed in both the campsite and arena whereas alcohol, audio recorders, bags bigger than A4 size, camping equipment, cans, disposable BBQs and firewood are permitted in the campsite area alone.

 

 

Airhorns, aerosols over 250ml, gas canisters, drones, fireworks/flares, animals (other than registered hearing dogs or guide dogs), glass, items which may be used as a weapon and, believe it or not, pineapples  are prohibited from the festivals at all costs.

The unusual addition of pineapples to the ‘banned’ list was revealed earlier this month and is due to the presence of indie band Glass Animals. Within their song ‘Pork Soda’ the lyrics state “pineapples in my head” which has led to fans bringing pineapples to their show, some even dressing up as them, and festival organisers felt this could cause reasonable injury if they were to be thrown.

However, Glass Animals don’t seem to think this will deter their fans as they told NME: “Challenge – anyone who wasn’t bringing a pineapple definitely is now.”

 

How do I get there?

If you’re travelling by train to Leeds or York train stations there is a shuttle bus service from the station to the festival site. To find out more about this and book a shuttle bus, visit: https://www.leedsfestival.com/information/train-shuttle-bus

Those travelling by car, to both Leeds and Reading, are advised to follow the signs on display as opposed to Sat Navs. All exits and directions are clearly signposted along the motorways as there has been changes to the exits which Sat Navs may not yet display.

 

What are the set times?

The set times were released on the ReadingLeeds App on Monday. The App allows you to pick the artists you want to see and creates a schedule of your weekend making sure you don’t miss out and alerting you to any clashes.

 

Can I meet any of the acts?

The BBC signing tent opens on Friday which gives you the opportunity to meet some of the acts. Blossoms, Bastille and Glass Animals will be there (no pineapples remember!); the full list and times are available on the ReadingLeeds App available for free download on both Android and iOS.

 

What is the weather forecast?

Below is the most current forecast according to BBC Weather for Friday to Sunday:

 

Leeds Festival

“Variable cloud with slow moving showers. Temperatures near normal in light winds. Sunny spells by day but clear spells at night allowing mist patches to form. Mostly dry on Sunday.”

 

Reading Festival

“Mainly dry with sunny spells on Friday. More cloud on Saturday and Sunday with some heavy, perhaps thundery, showers developing. Generally warm inland, but with fresher coastal breezes.”

 

Well… It wouldn’t be a festival without a bit of mud and rain! Reading festival tickets have sold out, but there are still some available for Leeds at: https://www.leedsfestival.com/tickets