Reading Festival Boss: 'Reforming The Libertines Was Hard Work'

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Reading and Leeds festival organiser Melvin Benn has admitted that it was “hard work” to book The Libertines to perform at the event.

The band, who split in 2004, have announced plans to reform for the festivals in August.

Benn said one of the biggest obstacles was getting the group's four members – Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassall and Gary Powell – all together.

“It’s been a lot of hard work as you would imagine getting the boys all back together in the same room,” he told BBC 6 Music.

“But they’re absolutely committed to it. I think it’s something that’s so important for the British music fan.”

Benn said booker Neil Pengelly was the person who “really put it all together”, adding that he didn't think any other festival could have “tempted them out of their self-imposed separation”.

“Reading & Leeds is their core audience,” he added.

As previously reported on Gigwise, this year's Reading and Leeds festivals will be headlined by Guns N' Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink-182.

Other acts confirmed for the main stage include Queens of the Stone Age, Limp Bizkit and Paramore.

CLICK HERE to see the full Reading line-up.
CLICK HERE to see the full Leeds line-up.

Fans can buy tickets for both sites now via Gigwise Gig Tickets.

For more information about Reading and Leeds and all this summer's festivals, check out the Gigwise Festival Guide.