Reading and Leeds Festival unveils major overhaul - can it shake its under-18 image?

Reading and Leeds Festival is undergoing a major operational overhaul, including new stage designs and an over-21s campsite. Organizers aim to broaden the festival's appeal beyond its traditional younger demographic.
Why it matters
The changes reflect a strategic attempt by major music festivals to adapt to shifting audience demographics and combat perceptions of being exclusively for teenagers.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Reading and Leeds Festival across the weekend
Reading and Leeds Festival is unveiling what organisers say is the "biggest staging and arena overhaul" in its history this weekend.
Changes include revamping the look of some major stages, while other spaces, such as a campsite for over-21s, are being introduced for the first time.
Organisers Festival Republic say this will take the festival "firmly into its next evolution".
BBC Newsbeat has spoken with festival-goers and an artist to see whether they feel this shake-up will attract a wider demographic, as some say it has developed an image of attracting a younger crowd, putting off some older music fans.
It will also be the first time in 25 years that all headliners at the sister festivals are exclusively British and Irish acts, organisers say.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in