Music fans gear up for Reading and Leeds festivals

Chloe Reeves and Beth Coulson can't wait to see The Strokes and Friendly Fires

Thousands of music fans have arrived at this year's Reading and Leeds festivals.

Eighty-seven thousand people will see My Chemical Romance headline the main stage at Reading's Richfield Avenue tonight (26 August).

At Leeds' Bramham Park, Muse will top the bill by playing their 2001 album Origin Of Symmetry in full.

Other artists playing the main stage this weekend include Thirty Seconds To Mars, Elbow and Friendly Fires.

'Nerve-wracking'

New Jersey rockers My Chemical Romance will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last appearance at Reading festival in 2006 where bottles were thrown at them by the crowd.

Speaking to Newsbeat earlier this summer lead singer Gerard Way said: "I'm already nervous.

"We're respectful of the show and it's a big deal. It's pretty nerve-wracking and it has a legacy."

His brother Mikey, bass player in the band, said: "I'm scared already.

"[Last time] it was maybe the single most jarring moment of my musical career.

"It's a festival I dreamed of going to as a kid. The fact that we're going to get to close it out is incredible and also a little frightening."

'Last appearance'

Devon rockers Muse will mark their return to the festivals, and the final shows of their world tour supporting their album The Resistance, with a special performance.

The trio will play their 2001 album Origin Of Symmetry from start to finish.

Organiser Melvin Benn said: "Muse, this is only a performance that will be seen at Reading and Leeds, that does make it unique. It is going to be amazing."

Meanwhile, The Strokes will headline at Reading above Pulp with the band's swapping their billing at Leeds on Sunday.

Benn added: "[It's] the last ever UK festival appearance of Pulp here in Leeds. It will be special. You have to be here."

'Massive party'

Fans excited to see their favourite artists have been setting up camp at both sites since Wednesday.

Sisters Georgia and Jessica Sibbett, from Horsforth, said they were looking forward to seeing My Chemical Romance, The Offspring and Tim Minchin as they arrived on site.

Georgia and Jessica Sibbett are looking forward to The Offspring

Georgia said: "I came last year. I've still got the wristband on. I can't wait to hear Muse play Plug In Baby and all the classics."

Friends Chloe Reeves and Beth Coulson, from Sheffield, said they couldn't wait to see The Strokes, Friendly Fires and Rizzle Kicks.

Chloe Reeves said: "The Strokes, I think, will just be mad. It'll be a massive party. We're not bothered about Muse."

2manydjs, The Streets, Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye, White Lies and Jane's Addiction are among the acts set to appear on the NME/Radio 1 Stage.

Weekend passes for both events are now sold out.

Last year's Reading and Leeds was controversially headlined by Guns N' Roses.

Axl Rose's band played through their curfew on both sites and criticised the organisers describing their disagreements as "war".

Possible floods

Rain has been falling at both Leeds and Reading throughout the day - with more expected tomorrow [Saturday].

The Environment Agency say the fields at the festival have poor drainage, so flooding is possible. The advice is to wear wellies.

Check out the weather at both sites on BBC Weather.

Radio 1 will be live from Reading festival between 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tune into BBC Three to watch live performances.