Are You Listening? Festival, Reading, UK
Saturday 25th April 2020
2020 Artists
"Utterly compelling" - UNCUT
"sticking two fingers up at the patriarchy... breaking gender norms and creating a genuine safe space for their fans in the process." - INDEPENDENT
‘Are You Listening? is not only easily one of the best value festivals in the UK - it's simply one of the best festivals in the UK’
Faded Glamour
‘Hear the very finest in emerging music while raising money for [Learning Disability] charities? We don’t mind if we do!’
No.1 in Metro Weekend
‘...a must-attend for all discerning festival goers’
Artrocker
‘It truly felt like the whole town was buzzing!’
Alt Reading
‘The fundraising festival with it’s finger firmly on the pulse’
Reading Chronicle
Latest News
FIRST ACTS ANNOUNCED // Saturday 25th April 2020 - Are You Listening? Festival
November 14 2019
The wild piano rocker BC Camplight leads the announcement, returning to Reading having made history headlining the first Down At The Abbey festival in September with a blistering set in the Reading Abbey Ruins. The unique performer released his album Deportation Blues to critical acclaim last year and has supported Suede and White Denim on UK tours; sold out his own tours; and stunned festival audiences at Glastonbury, All Points East and BBC 6 Music Festival amongst others.
Brighton’s noisiest punks Dream Wife have been announced too. Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album last year, the thrilling three-piece have dominated the playlists at BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music; supported Garbage, The Kills and Sunflower Bean on tours across the US and Europe; and impressed huge crowds at the world’s biggest festivals including Iceland Airwaves, Lollapalooza and South By Southwest.
Breakbeat legends Freestylers will also be causing the dancefloor to erupt next year. The duo will be playing hits from their glittering 20 year career that’s seen them tour the US with Lenny Kravitz; play MTV’s Millennium Times Square party; perform on Top of the Pops; and play out to 30,000 ravers at Glastonbury Festival.
London’s Melt Yourself Down will bring their frenetic blend of jazz, punk and dance to the festival in April too. The exciting London band have recently worked with super-producer Youth (U2, The Verve, James) and are closely linked with London jazz giants The Comet Is Coming, Polar Bear and Mercury Prize nominees Sons Of Kemet.
Other acts to be announced are Little Dragon collaborator sir Was; child doom band HAQ123 (featuring two members aged under 10); IDLES-approved noise rockers JOHN; feminist DIY punks Dream Nails; Danny Nedelko-fronted Heavy Lungs; psychedelic indie youngsters Drug Store Romeos and buzzy post-punk quartet GHUM.
Are You Listening? Festival always showcases the cream of the crop of Reading’s many diverse music scenes, and the first locals acts to be named so far are local UK Hip Hop kingpin Ash The Author; grunge rockers Marisa and the Moths; and country-folk duo The August List.
Are You Listening? Festival 2020
September 27 2019Down At The Abbey
May 28 2019See All News
Venues
Supporting Reading Mencap
Are You Listening? are proud that Reading Mencap has been our official charity partner since the first AYL music festival in 2013. In that time, we have raised nearly £60,000 for this vital local charity. Thank you from AYL, Reading Mencap and everyone that supports us for all your help.
“We love what Reading Mencap does and stands for. Music knows no prejudice, no barriers and brings everyone together, whatever their background. And Reading Mencap does the same – ensuring we are all, irrespective of any learning disability, able to live full and active lives in our community. It deserves all our support. Please give whatever you can.” (Shane Daunt and Dave Maul, AYL Festival organisers)
Click here to learn more about supporting Reading Mencap
