Are You Listening? Festival 2023 Second Line-Up Announcement

The festival celebrates its 10th Birthday!

Are You Listening? Festival is an independent one-day multi-venue music festival based in Reading that raises money for local learning disability charity partner Reading Mencap, who last year celebrated their 60th anniversary.

AYL? is the biggest event in Reading Mencap’s fundraising calendar having raised over £75,000 since its inception in 2013 and plays a key role in helping to support their services.

The multi-venue festival returns on Saturday 6th May and proudly celebrates its 10th Birthday.

Leading the Birthday second wave of the 20 new artists announced are U.S illustrator and acclaimed lo-fi rock musician Jeffery Lewis and the Voltage, who counts Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Jarvis Cocker among his admirers. Alt-Pop Gen Z queer artist GIRLI whose been described as ‘Avril Lavigne meets Britney Spears in a hot-pink explosion of angst’ by DIY Magazine.

Joining Jeffery Lewis and GIRLI are the hotly tipped Isle of Wight Indie four piece and Chess Club records (Jungle, Alfie Templeman) signed Coach Party who are being championed by the music press. Buzzy Brighton Six piece Opus Kink who blend of punk, jazz, and folk storytelling; emerging pop singer-songwriter Cameron Hayes, pop-disco duo Strabe and Jordan born but now London based psychedelic disco-pop artist Ziyad Al- Samman.

Other new artists announced include: Reading’s very own Indie-Pop and Rudimental collaborator Tayo Sound, post-punk Public Body, Leeds singer-songwriter Spielmann, metal band Acid Claw, folk singer Constanza, dream-pop Ever Hazel, Tik-Tok pop artist Henjila, electro duo HolySMS, foral indie band LILAC, Oxford singer-songwriter Page of Swords, RnB/ neo-soul group Tiece and the Pieces and art-rock outfit Sun Skeletons Kinky Hands Support Group.

The current running total of acts is 35 with more to be announced and all the above names join the previous announced… Thomas Headon, Black Honey, The Nextmen, DEADLETTER, Prima Queen, Panic Shack, TVAM, Dejivuhs, Sophie Jamieson, Shelf Lives and more!

Tickets are available now at: www.areyoulistening.org.uk

Festival wristbands grant access to all the venues on the day, subject to capacity and age restrictions.
Venue age restrictions vary.
FESTIVAL TIMES: 12pm – 2am | AGE RESTRICTIONS (various): 14+ / 18+ | VENUES: AYL? Hub @ Market Place, Sub
89, Milk, Purple Turtle, Oakford Social Club, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Face Bar, St Laurence Church and South Street
Arts Centre.

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