Leeds Festival 2026 – Kasabian, Arkayla, The Lathums

But for the first time this year, the event has introduced a main stage headliner one day earlier than usual, with indie rock heavyweights Kasabian topping the bill on Thursday night.

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

But despite the heatwave we’ve been encountering in the region in recent weeks, Mother Nature didn’t quite get the memo about this weekend’s event.

With predicted thunderstorms on Thursday, the event organisers took to social media to instruct festival punters to batten down the hatches, so to speak.

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Thankfully, only some light rain descended upon Bramham Park. The evening was largely warm, dry and cool, perhaps just as cool as Thursday’s headliners Kasabian, you might say.

And of course, the hardened British public are no strangers to a bit of damp weather. A huge turnout was present for the opening day of the festival.

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Live music got underway at approximately 7.30pm on the main stage with Mancunian indie outfit Arkayla getting the festival off to a great start.

The current indie buzz-band showed that, just like the legendary bands that have come out of Manchester before them, they’ve got what it takes to go to the top.

The influence of acts such as the Stone Roses was certainly present in the band’s sound, and the fans in front of the stage loved every moment.

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Leeds Festival 2026 day one (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Wigan’s The Lathums were the precursor to the main event, with Kasabian closing out the opening day of festivities.

The Leicester lads delivered a setlist that was full of fire and brimstone. Kasabian raised the bar high for the weekend’s headliners to follow. Highlights included anthems such as Club Foot, Underdog and Shoot The Runner.

These are the kind of songs that are perfect for a festival crowd.

And with a gargantuan runway leading down to the fans from the stage, frontman Serge Pizzorno frequently ventured down the ramp to get closer to the fans.

His energy and infectious personality captivated the Leeds crowd from the off. On Thursday evening, Serge and the boys cemented their status as Leeds Festival legends.

Leeds Festival continues over the course of the weekend with the likes of Chase and Status, Charli XCX, Fontaines DC, Dave, Sombr, Violet Grohl and Florence and the Machine appearing over the course of the events four day duration.