20 bands you must see at Reading and Leeds 2010

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The Reading and Leeds festival kicks off this weekend and you can keep up to date with the latest news, photos and videos on our new iPhone app. Here’s our top 20 picks across the weekend. Mumford & Sons play the NME / Radio 1 Stage in Reading on Friday and Leeds on Sunday.

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They did it. They went ahead and played a comeback show this week without a hitch. Expect The Libertines’ slots to be something special this weekend. Playing: Main Stage, Leeds (Fri) and Reading (Sat)

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With new album ‘Hurley’ due to drop in September, and an arsenal of geek rock anthems at their disposal, Weezer should be sublime. Playing: Main Stage, Leeds (Sat) Reading (Sun).

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Melvin Benn’s already warned Axl he can’t come on late (after they turned up after they were supposed to have finished in Leeds in 2002). If Guns N’ Roses can stay punctual their rundown of ‘Appetite For Destruction’ and the rest should be epic. Playing: Main Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun).

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They re-released their seminal 2000 album ‘Rated R’ this year and won a whole new generation of fans. Now Queens Of The Stone Age are returning to their spiritual home to warm up for G N’ R. Playing: Main Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun).

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There’s many reasons to love London newcomers Yuck. Their post-millenial take on slacker grunge and the drummer’s gigantic afro are but two. Go see them and discover some more for yourselves. Playing: Festival Republic Stage, Leeds (Fri) Reading (Sat)

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The Joy Formidable impressed us so much onstage this year we booked them for the forthcoming NME Radar Tour. Playing: NME / Radio 1 Stage, Leeds (Sat) Reading (Sun).

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The NME / Radio 1 tent isn’t just somewhere to hide from the rain this weekend; it features one of the best R&L line-ups in an age, including Band Of Horses, Mumford, Yeasayer, Klaxons, Girls and math-rocking lunatics Foals. Playing: NME Radio 1 Stage, Leeds (Sat) Saturday (Sun).

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Yeasayer went pop with their sophomore album ‘Odd Blood’ and found themselves facing a few thousand more people at gigs. ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Ambling Alp’ should be particular highlights. Playing: NME / Radio 1 Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun).

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Despite still having school to deal with, Egyptian Hip Hop are one of the country’s most inventive bands right now, and the likes of ‘Wild Human Child’ and ‘Heavenly’ should sound brilliant after an afternoon’s ciders. Playing: Festival Republic Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun).

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Get ready to chill wiv da man dem as Dizzee heads to Reading & Leeds this weekend. He’s already conquered Scotland at T and will be giving ‘Bonkers’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Dance Wiv Me’ another airing this weekend. Playing: Main Stage, Leeds (Fri) Reading (Sat)

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There ain’t a lot of good indie to come from the Sunshine State (The Drums aside), but Florida’s Surfer Blood have been winning fans left, right and centre with their Pavement-esque tunes. Playing: NME / Radio 1 Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun).

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Chapel Club had a go at Glastonbury’s “sober” crowd back in June, so make sure you’re fully tanked for their gloom-rock majesty this weekend. Playing: Festival Republic Stage, Leeds (Fri) Reading (Sat).

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Whatever your take on Blink 182, there’s no denying that ‘All The Small Things’ around 11pm as 400 sweaty kids mash their limbs up in a huge circle pit will be a moment. Playing: Main Stage, Leeds (Sat) Reading (Sun).

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Avi Buffalo were one of the most exciting new bands to enter NME’s world this year. The Long Beach band thanked the Glasto crowd approximately six hundred times during their Park Stage set so expect similar gratitude this time around. Playing: Festival Republic Stage, Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sun)

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Arcade Fire are taking a step up by headlining the Main Stage, but going on previous form they should do just fine. Watch an exclusive video interview with the band here. Playing: Main Stage, Leeds (Fri) Reading (Sat).

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