Alternative Stage line-up announced for Reading and Leeds

The line-up for the Alternative Stage at this year's Reading & Leeds Festivals has been confirmed, with comedy through to spoken word and film. Leeds also has cinematic delights on the Thursday evening.

Comedy
The comedy headliners are:-
Doug Stanhope (Leeds Sunday 30th, Reading Saturday 29th)
We are thrilled to have Doug Stanhope on the Reading and Leeds bill as he is the comic’s comic who has inspired and influenced many a young stand up. His material ranges from the true-life graphic perversion to volatile social criticism. Doug is vulgar, opinionated, brutally harsh and shockingly uninhibited. Doug's confrontational stance comes from the rough, blistered underbelly of America's trailer parks; he's a feral, aggressive man fuelled by primal urges to drink, fight and screw - and the corrosive material has all the venomous aggression you might expect from that background. But what underlines it, and makes it so untouchably good, is the passion and conviction with which he holds his intelligent beliefs, informed by sensibilities that might seem alien to such a no nonsense, pig-headed persona...Doug has appeared on a wide range of TV shows both here and in America as well as having released three CD's and DVD's the latest of which ' No Refunds' was in 2008.

Tim Minchin (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
We are very proud to announce the incredible Tim Minchin who plays the Reading and Leeds Festival this year. Tim is an Australian musician, actor, comedian and writer. Having established himself back home he made the break to the Northern hemisphere where he became one of the most successful debut acts at the Edinburgh fringe. He won Best Alternative Comedian at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in 2007, sold out seasons in both New York and LA. In Australia, Tim has performed at sell out shows at the Sydney Opera House alongside shows at the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Big Laugh Festival in Sydney.
Tim's TV credits include appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Comedy Cuts whilst he has also played roles in theatre, the title in Hamlet and Amadeus and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has written a music play POP – A Tragically Musical Romantic Black Comedy, and in 2001 recorded an album ‘Sit’ with his band Timmy The Dog. ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Nerd’ a documentary about Tim’s life between 2005 and 2006 was premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year and released on DVD earlier this year.

Brendon Burns (Leeds Saturday 29th , Reading Sunday 30th)
Australian comic Brendon Burns' television career began alongside Sacha Baron Cohen and Ricky Gervais as a performer on Channel 4's late-night spontaneous comedy show 'The Eleven O'Clock Show'.His wittily controversial show 'So I Suppose This Is Offensive Now' won the top prize at the if.comedy awards at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and also appeared alongside fellow Comedy Arena stand up Adam Hills in a stage version of Breaker Morant directed by Phil Nichol at the same festival. However it is his solo shows that have shown the basis for his revered reputation with six live show recordings under his belt.

Jack Whitehall (Leeds Friday 28th)
Jack Whitehall appeared at the festival last year as a newcomer, but now we’re all watching him. His comedic use of language, deadpan delivery and world weariness beyond his years will have the Leeds crowds in stitches. In 2008 he presented two weeks worth of Big Brother's Big Mouth on E4 and returned to present the show full time during the 2009 series of Celebrity Big Brother. He's also appeared on Channel 4's 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Sunday Night Project – and this summer had his own show TNT with Holly Walsh on Channel 4. Jack is also the winner of several awards including Amused Moose Laugh Off in 2007. He was also runner up in The Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition, a finalist in So You Think You're Funny? and winner of the Charlie Harthill Special Reserve in the same year. Last year also saw Jack nominated in the Chortle Awards and an appearance in the finals of the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year. August 2009 sees Jack performing his solo stand up show 'Nearly Rebellious' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Adam Buxton (Reading Sunday 30th) presents BUG - The Evolution Of Music Video (Hosted in association with BFI Southbank)
BUG is about giving big screen exposure to the most awe-inspiring, innovative and downright brilliant music videos being made around the globe today. Hosted by Adam Buxton (of Adam & Joe fame) – 6 Music presenter, actor, music video director himself – the events have become an essential forum for aspiring film-makers and fans of music video alike. BUG is about new creativity, new talent, and the new democracy of filmmaking that means a great little film can be made by a 17 year old with a stills camera, or by Michel Gondry. It’s also about what people are actually watching when they come home from the pub: the really cool, really creative and sometimes really ridiculous viral hits that you might find on YouTube or elsewhere online. This special edition of BUG at Reading 2009 promises more brilliant clips rarely seen on a big screen (or even a TV screen) and some incredible online discoveries – with insightful and hilarious contributions from Adam. Come feast your eyes – and, of course, ears.

Also appearing are:-

Junior Simpson (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Sunday 30th)
Having survived the 'new Lenny Henry ' tags and honed his material on the British black comedy circuit, lapsed choirboy Junior is now much in demand and is a familiar face from the various shows he's been on - The Comedy Store, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The Stand Up Show. With his infectious energy and huge stage presence it's easy to see why Junior is such a circuit favourite. A true observational comic Simpson discovers his humour in the everyday and humdrum which with his boundless joy and exuberance has his audiences with hilarity A vigorous raconteur and vibrant mimic with lots to say, Junior is also a stalwart of the Festivals having previously played Leeds / Reading as well as the likes of Guilfest Brighton festival and Leeds Comedy In The Park.

Sarah Millican (Leeds Sunday 30th)
Currently working a play, sitcom and radio programme. Sarah made her solo debut at last year's Edinburgh Festival with her acclaimed show 'Sarah Millican's Not Nice' which won the If.Comedy Award for Best Newcomer .A hard working stand-up, Sarah has been noted for her gentle delivery of some cutting observations on life and love. She has also appeared on various TV shows including The Comedy Store Series and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Sarah arrives at Leeds fresh from this year's Edinburgh Festival.

Milton Jones (Reading Sunday 30th)
Comedian, writer and actor, whose stand-up is full of surrealism, nonsense and sharp wit - a linguistic toymaker .Having won Best Newcomer at Edinburgh in 96, he has enjoyed great success on the stand-up circuit and radio where he has performed regularly for Radio 4 and he has won a Sony Radio Award for his series 'The Very World Of Milton Jones'. He describes his live act as "weaving threads of ideas with the tatters of life, to fashion a uniquely fetching jumper of obscurity. Milton Jones is one of the UK's most prolific comedians.

Tom Stade (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
With delicious naivety and charismatic charm, he has audiences captivated with each devastating punchline. Hailing from the wilds of suburban Canada and fresh from his recent TV excursions on Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow Stade is certainly one to catch...

Hugh Lennon (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
Along with Hypnodog, the world's only canine hypnotist, Hugh has been on the circuit entertaining crowds across the world for years. Well known at both sites he always pulls a huge crowd and converts the cynics.

Jamie Kilstein (Saturday 29th)
If you haven’t yet, it’s probably time to start getting excited about Jamie Kilstein. For a while, the American has been the comedian that other comedians get excited about...he has been described as one of the few truly insightful, passionate and hysterically funny political comedians around. New Yorker Jamie draws on his terrifying first hand experiences of the American religious right and probes politics and religion with eloquently constructed arguments. Don't miss his unflinching, razor sharp stand up.

Mitch Benn (Reading Sunday 30th)
Mitch is not only one the most sought after acts on the comedy circuit but is widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the country. A regular on both radio and TV as well as the proud owner of several recordings...

MC Matt Read (Leeds Sunday 30th, Reading Friday 28th)
Sunderland born and bred, Matt started out as one half of duo Mat and Faron with Faron Smith. He MC's at Leeds on Sunday 30th.

MC Martin Bigpig (Leeds Friday 28th) Owner of uncanny comic improv skills, which comes in handy as he MC's the stage for the day.

Steve Gribben (Leeds Sunday 30th, Reading Friday 28th)
Firmly established as one of the stalwarts on the comedy circuit from way back when he was the smaller half of Skint Video to the present where he can be witnessed practising his acerbic musical wit on suspecting punters across the country.

Kevin Bridges (Leeds Friday 28th)
Entering the world of stand-up at just 17 years old, Kevin reached the finals of 'So You think You're Funny' contest at Edinburgh 2005 just a year later. He’s recently seen on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.

Steve Williams (Reading Saturday 29th)
This supremely enjoyable and hugely popular Welsh comedian & writer continues to enchant audiences around the world with his quirky and imaginative fun packed stand up shows.

Holly Walsh (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
Sometime children’s television presenter, Holly Walsh can be described as the ‘Rice-Krispies’ of the comedy world: she’s gifted with snappy wit and crackling talent and has polished a stand up routine that is as feel-good and funny as the best bubblegum pop.

Stephen Grant (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
Observational comedy of the highest order and lightning improvisational skills carved out a very definite niche for this original performer.

Markus Birdman (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Saturday 29th)
This man sympathises with those who've sold their soul to the devil. Thanks to natural acumen and a touch of charm, his reckoning is delightful comic, despite some risky confessions and vivid observations of human nature. Topical, controversial and personal, he throws together a wickedly punchy gig.

Stucky and Murray (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Sunday 30th)
American musicians who present a fantastically rude sing-a-long, dealing with anything sexual that will have you blushing, howling or laughing 'til it hurts. The duo have recorded two albums accrued plenty of plaudits and as performers have appeared on a myriad of TV shows on MTV, VH1, The Discovery Channel and NBC.

Jessica Delfino (Leeds Sunday 30th, Reading Saturday 29th)
East Side New Yorker Jessica is a seriously talented instrument wielding comic songwriter. She combines a host of quirky instruments with her own smart and edgy brand of comedy and is possibly one of the best and weirdest things you'll see. Her polarising performances, songs and videos have won her awards and world-wide acclaim and she made numerous TV and radio appearances in the UK.

Dan Nightingale (Leeds Friday 28th)
Having spent time as a soundman at a comedy club in Newcastle, Dan finally took to the stage where he's not looked back be it as a performer or compere.

Gary Delaney (Leeds Sunday 30th Reading Saturday 29th)
Hard hitting razor sharp comic, Gary Delaney is a regular at the country's top comedy hotspots.

Mark Olver (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Saturday 29th) Bristol based Mark is famed for his walk from home to Edinburgh throughout June and July last year which provided material for his third solo outing at the festival. He has supported Russell Howard and is a regular TV warm-up as well as numerous radio appearances.

Daniel Townes (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Sunday 30th)
Already well established back home in his native Australia, courtesy of various accolades, Daniel made his Edinburgh debut barely two years ago and has since amused audiences across the UK with his laid back easy going demeanor that conceals the sharp wit of his live show.

MC Dave Twentyman (Leeds Saturday 29th)
One of the most affable and natural comedians you'll see this year which should stand him in good stead for MC duties at Leeds

Joe Bor
A sharp and observational comedian and winner of The Comedy Store Gong Show and Comedy Cafe New Act Night, Joe is a rising star of the stand up circuit. Joe has also written for TV and theatre as well acting parts for The BBC and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Joey Page (Leeds Friday 28th)
A relative newcomer Joey is one of the most unique and exciting stars in the comedy world and is hailed as the future of stand-up.

Doc Brown (Leeds Saturday 29th)
A rapper who turned to stand-up and who was recently voted third in the English Comedian of the Year 2009, Doc is the younger brother of author Zadie Smith.

Spoken Word

Aidan Moffat (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Saturday 29th)
If you always thought Aidan Moffat was the dirty one in Arab Strap, prepare to be proved right. Moffat’s intimate poems and stories are set to sound collages, song snippets and crackles, and while Moffat cites Ivor Cutler and William Burroughs as inspirations for making his first spoken word album, there are elements that could make Charles Bukowski blush. Now 34 and living in Glasgow, Moffat currently has a number of musical projects on the go, including his band /Aidan Moffat & The Best-Ofs, whose recent album 'How To Get To Heaven From Scotland came out on Valentines day on Chemikal Underground.

The Petebox (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Saturday 29th)
Not only is The Petebox one of the world's finest human beatboxers, he has spent the past year crafting a whole new approach to using his beatbox skills to create music. His live show is akin that of a full band and sees him creating fully crafted songs as well as demonstrating his world class beatbox skills. The Petebox's show leads the audience through a journey of real time music production which builds up and delivers a full frequency spectrum of sound, from deep bass, to high pitched trumpets, to multiple vocal harmonies - all made with his mouth! The past twelve months has seen The Petebox take his cutting edge show across Europe and the UK where he has played at Bestival, Glastonbury, V Festival and Creamfields.

Kate Tempest (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading 29th)
(Fomerly Excentral Tempest) Kate has been extensively gigging since the age of 16, this South London rapper, poet, and playwright is making a name for herself across the country be it the spoken word, UK Hip Hop or London live music scenes. She has played at some of the largest music festivals - Glastonbury, Big Chill and Leeds Carling Weekend supporting John Cooper Clarke, alongside some of the smallest - The Big Green Gathering. She has won poetry slams in New York, she has performed at squat parties, protest marches as well as the more intimate surroundings poetry cafes and pre-show theatre foyer gigs. Passionate and inspired by language she is renowned for her delivery and intelligent content and is currently writing a play, a novel and her own debut album, whilst also contributing to a second EP with her band Sound Of Rum - the beats and rhymes trio.

Mik Artistik (Leeds Friday 28th)
Part comedian, painter, performer and spoken word artist - Mik Artistik is unpredictable, unnerving and with the tendency to incorporate his audience in the act, impossible to ignore.

John Berkavitch (Leeds Friday 28th) w/ Andy Craven Griffiths ( Reading Saturday 29th)
John is a Midlands - based live artist and is best known for his Slam Poetry and Spoken Word performances. A veteran of the spoken word scene up and down the country, John will be performing solo in Leeds and with Andy in Reading. Andy is a fast rising star on the spoken word scene; a regular on the festival circuit, he's donned his poetry garb and wellies for gigs at Glastonbury and Latitude also regularly appears on Radio 1 and 2

Lecture
Jeffrey Lewis - Watchmen Lecture / Q & A session (Reading Sunday 30th)
American anti-folk singer/songwriter Jeffrey Lewis will host a lecture and Q&A session on the Watchmen at Reading Festival. A comic book artist himself, Lewis is a self-confessed fan of Alan Moore’s classic comic book series having written his university thesis on the symbolism and intricacies hidden within them. Hailed as one of the world’s greatest graphic novels that brims with apocalyptic themes, Lewis’ lecture endeavours to unveil cryptic references and hidden meanings as a means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to critique the superhero concept. With a huge reputation within the underground, expect the talk to be a highlight of the weekend.

Debate
ID Political Debate (Leeds Friday 28th, Reading Friday 28th)
Instigate Debate – the counterculture project formed by a collective of musicians including Carl Barat, and Jon “The Reverend” McClure. A diverse panel of guests will discuss political points from across the spectrum, expect passion and forthright debate

LATE NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Smash n Grab (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Friday 28th)
Temporarily exchanging the somewhat swanky confines Camden - where this club night has earned the right to be 'the place to go' on a Thursday night - for a weekend of tunes and all manner of grown up party games. It’s the only night dedicated to dancing and kissing where every song is a love song. Queens of Noize DJ’s Mairead and Tabatha have presented Big Brother’s Big Mouthy and their own 6 Music show but clubs are where they come from and this is where they’ll get everybody dancing.

Swap-A-Rama (Leeds Thursday 27th)
The most fun you can have with your clothes off – and on! The infamous Shoreditch nightclub comes to Leeds this year. Playing the finest selection of pop, soul and rock and roll, at the sound of a klaxon dancers are required to swap an item of clothing with a fellow clubber and the idea is to go home wearing a brand new outfit! Don’t come along in anything you don’t want to lose – and don’t swap your wellies for flip-flops if it’s raining! Swap-a-Rama always ends in exhilarating chaos. The revellers leave looking ridiculous and feeling fabulous.

Transgressive Records (Leeds Sunday 30th)
Transgressive once again return to Leeds to close the weekend. Having featured the likes of Laura Marling and Noah and The Whale at last years extravaganza and this years line-up is no less appetising. Young Irish up and comers Two Door Cinema Club and local Leeds act Pulled Apart By Horses - who have been described as being "the most insane, life affirming band to come out of England, let alone Leeds for a long while." are both playing live sets whilst the DJ booth is home to exclusive sets from the likes of The Rockfeedback DJ's and Transgressive DJ's.

Film
Le Donk (Leeds Saturday 29th, Reading Sunday 30th) -
A very special preview screening of this improvised comedy, shot over five days by Shane Meadows, devised with and starring Paddy Considine. 15 years ago a roadie named Donk seemed to have it all. Now his life is shit. So he decides to take UK rapper Scor-zay-zee with him on a road trip that he hopes will change their lives forever. This low-budget rockumentary follows Le Donk and Scorz on their journey of a lifetime and includes appearances from amongst other, the Arctic Monkeys. The preview screening at Leeds will be followed by a Q & A session with producer Mark Herbert and special guests from the film on Saturday 29th only.

3D Night Of The Living Dead (Leeds Thursday 27th, Reading Friday 28th)
In this 3D chiller, Barb and her brother Johnny arrive late for the burial of their aunt - and walk straight into a nightmare. With Zombies on her heels, Barb flees the cemetery and is rescued by Ben, a local college student. The two seek refuge in the nearby farmhouse of the Cooper family, where the laid-back residents aren't remotely prepared to have their lives turn into a horror movie. But Barb is destined for an even grimmer confrontation - with the dark secret of the pyrophobic mortician, Gerald Tovar Jr. Pick up your glasses and prepare for the nightmare!

This Is Spinal Tap (Leeds Saturday 30th, Reading Friday 28th)
1981 and the world's loudest rock band, Spinal Tap, are about to embark on their biggest world tour to date. Along for the ride with band members Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins, Derek Smalls and one unlucky drummer, is filmmaker and fan Marti Dibergi, there to make a behind-the-scenes tribute to his favourite heavy metal band. However instead of a celebrating the genius of the musicians behind such classics as ‘Big Bottom’ and ‘Hell Hole’, the documentary captures the cracks as they begin to appear for this band whose time has come...and gone...and come back...and now appears to have gone again. Reading and Leeds festivals invite to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the best 'rockumentary' ever made ahead of its special re-release on DVD and for the first time on blu-ray.

Anvil! The Story Of Anvil (Leeds Sunday 30th, Reading Saturday 29th)
At 14, Toronto school friends Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. They meant it. Their band Anvil went on to become the 'demigods of Canadian metal', releasing one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982's ‘Metal On Metal’. The album influenced a musical generation, including Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, that went on to sell millions of records. But Anvil's career took a different path - straight to obscurity. This is a wonderful and often hilarious account of Anvil's last-ditch quest for elusive fame and fortune. At its core, Anvil! The Story Of Anvil is a timeless tale of survival and the unadulterated passion it takes to follow your dream, year after year. Anvil rocks - it has no other choice.

The festivals have headliners of Kings Of Leon (Reading Friday/Leeds Sunday), Arctic Monkeys (Reading Saturday/Leeds Friday), and Radiohead (Reading Sunday/Leeds Saturday), with other acts including Kaiser Chiefs, Placebo, The Prodigy, Maximo Park, Ian Brown, Bloc Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Gossip, Glasvegas, and many more.

For the Reading line-up details click here.
For the Leeds line-up details click here.

The festival will feature a full line-up of over 150 acts over the bank holiday weekend accros six stages from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August.

Reading Festival takes place at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Festival tickets have now completely sold out.

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