Arctic Monkeys 'raging' with excitement about Reading And Leeds Festivals

Arctic Monkeys have told NME.COM they can't wait to headline the Reading And Leeds Festivals this summer, because it's the one they all went to when they were younger.

The band will top bill at the August Bank Holiday event (August 28-30) with Kings Of Leon and Radiohead.

Speaking to NME.COM from New York, where the band are currently recording, bassist Nick O'Malley said Arctic Monkeys were relishing the chance to headline the event.

"It's a great festival and we are raging with excitement in the old brain box to be playing it this year," he declared.

"Reading And Leeds was the first festival us and our mates ever went to back when we were 16 - well, Leeds that is, not Reading! - and I've been every year since then. We're really looking forward to it!"

For more exclusive interviews with this year's bands, including headliners Kings Of Leon and Radiohead, get this week's issue of NME, on UK newsstands nationwide tomorrow (April 1).

Get the full Reading And Leeds Festivals line-ups now on NME.COM.

Plus get your tickets exclusively from NME.COM via Seetickets.com/nmereadingleeds now.

You can also check out a special photo gallery devoted to the Reading And Leeds 2009 line-up.

Meanwhile, let us know what you think of this year's Reading And Leeds line-up over on the NME festivals blog.