Chase & Status headline the Reading 2026 finale with stars
The Reading & Leeds Festival 2026 brought the energy to a fever pitch, and the final act delivered a setlist that was pure, unapologetic chaos. UK production duo Chase & Status closed out the main stage, now known as The Grid, at Little John’s Farm, leaving the audience absolutely buzzing after a high-octane performance.
Following a massive performance by co-headliner Florence + The Machine, the duo stepped up to the mic, joining a stellar lineup for an evening packed with explosive energy. The first half of their set featured a dizzying array of tracks, including collaborations with ArrDee on ‘Liquor & Cigarettes’, NADIAH on ‘Count On Me’, D Double E on ‘Levels’, and Novelist on ‘NRG’, all delivered amidst a torrential downpour that only amplified the festival’s wild atmosphere.
The setlist was a masterclass in musical diversity, blending their signature sound with unexpected guest appearances and remixes. They infused the performance with vocal magic when IRAH contributed vocals during a mash-up of their remixes of Britney Spears’s ‘Toxic’ alongside Shy FX and UK Apache’s ‘Original Nuttah’. Flowdan brought the heat with ‘Baddadan’, while Takura joined for ‘No Problem’, weaving a tapestry of global sounds for the crowd.
The night wasn’t just about the duo; it was a collective musical journey. The set featured poignant moments, too, as Tom Grennan joined them for ‘All Goes Wrong’, and Clementine Douglas added emotion to the performance with ‘Mixed Emotions’. Debbie also sang on ‘Gone Too Far’, and Liam Bailey brought a classic touch with a rendition of the band’s hit single, ‘Blind Faith’. The sheer range of talent on display made the performance an unforgettable experience.
The full spectacle, which included tracks like ‘Rage’, ‘Selecta’, ‘Streetlife’, and ‘Carnage’, demonstrated why the festival crowd demands such raw, authentic sound. As the set concluded, Chase & Status addressed the packed audience, urging them to keep the noise going, embracing their dedication to the community: “If you’ve been with us since the beginning…old and new fans, we appreciate the fuck out of you. Reading, make some fucking noise for yourselves.”
The duo’s presence at major events is a testament to their enduring appeal. Earlier this year, they surprised many by joining Skrillex during his headline set at Boomtown for a B2B performance, playing an unreleased track with Brazilian vocals that sparked speculation about future collaborations. Their energy was equally infectious at Romania’s Electric Castle festival in July, where their rendition of ‘Baddadan’ sparked “pandemonium among hordes of skanking teens.”
Looking ahead, Chase & Status are gearing up for their next artistic chapter. They are currently preparing to release their eighth studio album, ‘Generic Everything’, on October 9th. This forthcoming record already features tracks pulled from the festival experience, including hits like ‘Disgruntled’, ‘Levels’, ‘Gone Too Far’, and ‘Carnage’.
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