Two stages at Leeds Festival to remain closed

Two stages at Leeds Festival will remain closed throughout the weekend due to damage from strong winds during Storm Lilian.

Organisers were forced to close the BBC Radio 1 stage, the Aux stage and the venue's second largest stage, the Chevron, after the site was hit by gusts of about 60mph.

The arena at Bramham Park was eventually opened at 14:00 BST, with rap artist Bru-C the first artist to appear.

The festival said its health and safety team had indicated it would not be possible to open the BBC Radio 1 or Aux stages on either Saturday or Sunday, though they hoped the Chevron would be fit to play by 12:00 BST on Saturday.

Writing on X, organisers said: "We are devastated of course for you and the artists that were eager to play.

"Mother nature has played her part."

They have not clarified if any performances from cancelled acts such as Beabadoobee, Ashnikko or Artemas would be rescheduled.

However, Beabadoobee took to social media to say the news was "so sad", suggesting her performance had been cancelled.

"I had a whole outfit planned," she posted on X, followed by a broken heart emoji.

'Stay in tents'

Meanwhile, singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Alfie Templeman posted on X that he was "really gutted" for those festival-goers hoping to catch his set at Leeds.

"Multiple stages are no longer standing and we’ve been told our slot is cancelled," he said.

"Leeds we’ll make it up to you as soon as possible, so so much love to you all," he added.

In a previous update, organisers had urged festival-goers to "look out for each other" as safety was the "number one priority".

Campers at Bramham Park were earlier warned by the Met Office to secure their tents, with a yellow wind warning in place until 11:00 BST.

Festival goers were warned to keep their tents secured

For those attending Leeds the changes brought by the storm were a disappointment.

Ellie Rainey had travelled to Leeds from Blackpool.

The 23-year-old said earlier she had been looking forward to seeing Beabadobee.

"We’ve dressed warm and the nice outfits have gone out of the window," she said.

Ellie Rainey said she got into the festival site today 'after a three hour wait'

Roads around Bramham Park, between Aberford and Thorner, are closed for the duration of Leeds Festival.

Around 90,000 people are expected at Bramham Park over the bank holiday weekend, as the festival marks its 25th year.

On Friday, as well as Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and 21 Savage were among the scheduled acts.

Other performances over the weekend include The Prodigy, Blink 182 and Lana Del Rey.

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