Furious Reading and Leeds ticketholders demand refunds as band replaces Rage Against The Machine

Kieran Galpin

‘I would like to discuss a full refund of the tickets I bought through Ticketmaster please’

Fans of the Reading and Leeds Festival have been demanding refunds after the announcement that The 1975 would be replacing Rage Against The Machine as one of the event’s headlining acts.

Reading and Leeds Festival has built a reputation for bringing the best and brightest alternative music to the UK over the years but fans have become frustrated as the festival has adapted over time, introducing more and more acts each year that stray from the typical selection.

We heard you 👀 @the1975 will now be headlining #RandL22 🤩🔥 Don’t say we never treat you 🤝 pic.twitter.com/c8DzAcbVfN

— Reading & Leeds Fest (@OfficialRandL) August 12, 2022

The change in headliner was announced on August 12, with their official Twitter account writing: |We heard you @the1975
will now be headlining #RandL22 Don’t say we never treat you.”

According to the BBC, Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha injured himself during a show in July in Chicago and is now following “medical guidance” to rest up.

@TicketmasterCS refund please!! This is an absolute joke

— Dayna Laird (@DaynaLewis11) August 12, 2022

“Zack must return home for rest and rehabilitation,” a statement released on Thursday read. “The flights, travel time, and rigorous schedule in the UK and Europe are simply too much of a risk for a complete recovery.”

They added: “We are so sorry to all of our fans who have waited years to see us and hope to Rage again soon.”

However some fans have taken issue with the change, with one Tweeting: “Mind when this festival used to have class headliners lol”

https://twitter.com/lewishill01/status/1558052116744343552

Then there are those who are calling for a full refund, given that the festival have announced the last minute headliner two weeks before it all kicks off.

“I would like to discuss a full refund of the tickets I bought through Ticketmaster please,” one said, while another added, “Refund please!! This is an absolute joke.”