The organisers of Reading and Leeds Festival have sparked outrage after they removed an outlet designed for up-and-coming bands... to make room for a host of nepo babies. 

When the event was held over the weekend, revellers were treated to performances from the likes of Charli xcx, Dave, Raye and Florence + The Machine.

Yet longtime attendees will have noticed a big change to the event this year – with the BBC Introducing Stage suddenly no longer there. 

For almost 20 years, BBC Introducing was a space at the festival for unsigned artists to showcase their talents to a wider audience – with all the aforementioned headliners previously performing there. 

This year, however, BBC Introducing was replaced by an area entitled the Canopy Stage, billed as a 'home for new and breaking acts'. 

However, among those acts on the Canopy Stage were Violet Grohl (daughter of Dave Grohl); Cruz Beckham (son of David and Victoria Beckham); People I've Met (fronted by Moses Martin, son of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow); and Villanelle (fronted by Gene Gallagher, son of Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton) – leading fans to dub it the 'Nepo Baby Stage'. 

December 10, who found fame when they were formed on Simon Cowell's Netflix series The Next Act, were also showcased on the Canopy Stage. 

Festival Republic, who run Reading and Leeds, claimed the change allowed more performers to be showcased, telling the Daily Mail: 'BBC Introducing has played an important role in championing new British talent, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done together over many years. 

'We continue to work closely with BBC Introducing across our festivals, including dedicated stages at Latitude and The Great Escape.

'The Canopy builds on that work at Reading and Leeds, giving us the opportunity to showcase a broader range of new artists. We’ve also invested in a bigger stage, stronger production and an even better experience for both artists and festivalgoers.'

Yet, Juliette Jackson, from Mercury-nominated indie band The Big Moon, described the move as a 'loss'. 

Reflecting on performing on BBC Introducing in 2015 a year after forming, she told The Guardian: 'It was a really big deal to play that as a new band with no money.

'It's huge when you're starting out – it gives you an opportunity and puts you on a platform.'

Jason Carter, who founded BBC Introducing in 2007, added that he was 'disappointed to hear [the news] and sad to see it no longer there'. 

Yet he mused that he 'can see both sides', noting the industry has changed and 'there's a lot more ways today to access new music that the festival probably wants the opportunity to feed off'. 

The likes of Ed Sheeran, the 1975 and Sam Fender have credited BBC Introducing with helping to kickstart their careers, with the scheme offering up-and-coming artists broadcast opportunities on BBC radio, television and online alongside the chance to perform at major festivals and showcases.

Ed for example created a BBC Introducing account in March 2009, when he was only 18 years old, and was played on the show for the first time the following month. 

Just two years later, he headlined the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury, in the summer of 2011 – and six years later he went on to headline the entire festival.

In comparison, the nepo babies showcased on the Canopy Stage have grown up surrounded by connections to the industry. 

The Daily Mail has contacted Festival Republic for comment.  

Who were the nepo babies at Reading and Leeds? 

Fresh from the release of his debut EP Wear & Tear, David and Victoria's youngest son Cruz delivered a show with his band The Breakers at Reading on Saturday and Leeds on Sunday. 

His parents were sure to show their support for Cruz as they watched on from the sidelines. Cruz's brother Romeo, sister Harper and girlfriend Jackie Apostel were also watching as they beamed with pride.

After his performance, Cruz was quick to post about his incredible experience, penning: 'I am so grateful for everyone around me, not only are they my best friends but they are family, this journey has been so incredible and I have learned so much because of these people.

'Harry man this tour really wouldn't be the same without you, from your humour to the incredible content you create, Lib not only are you literally family but you are so incredibly talented and we are so lucky to have you on this journey.

'Gabi this really wouldn't be happening without you, you are the reason it all looks so amazing, Caroline you are our core. Dan Telmo and Dario, boys i love you i am so grateful to have you in my life, you have taught me so much already and it's only the beginning, not only are you incredible musicians but as people i look up to you all so much.

'To the fans and everyone who came to the gigs, i am forever grateful for every single one of you, you are the reason this is happening. you are the reason i wake up in the morning and look forward to hanging out with you and chatting i love you.

'Last but definitely not least Jackie, you honestly have no idea how lucky we are to have you, not only do you take care of me but this whole operation, from creative to strategy to mgmt. We are a team and would not be doing this without you. i really love you so much.'

Cruz's debut For Your Love Tour kicked off earlier this year and saw him play sold-out shows across the UK and Europe before heading into a North American summer leg.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's son Moses fronts his indie-pop/ rock band People I've Met, with the group playing on The Canopy stage following the spring release of their debut EP, Bunny. 

Just like his famous father, Moses has carved out a career in music.

The nepo baby and his pals Andrew Suster and Orlando Wiltshire were snapped up by Interscope Records earlier this year and quickly released their first single, Promise, through the label. 

Interscope Records is also home to the likes of Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Elton John and Lady Gaga.

People I've Met launched in 2025 with the name Dancer, but the group soon changed their name.

Moses' vocals are strikingly similar to his dad's and he's certainly used to the limelight, having joined the seven-time Grammy Award winners Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury in 2016.

The musician has also sung on a string of Coldplay's songs and has written on tracks All My Love, Orphans and The Astronaut.

Liam Gallagher's youngest son Gene was at the festival as the lead singer and guitarist for grunge/indie rock band Villanelle. 

Villanelle, a four-piece band comprised of Gallagher on vocals and guitar, Ben Taylor on guitar, Jack Schiavo on bass and Andrew Richmond on drums, released debut single Hinge in September 2025. 

'Hinge is about paranoia derived from sleepless nights. I was probably hungover when I wrote it,' Gallagher explained in an accompanying press release.

Discussing the band's broad range of influences with NME, Schiavo added: 'Where we meet is this mix of grunge, shoegaze, punk and alternative rock. That’s right in the centre.

'Ben’s influences are more in that English alternative rock space, mine’s more of that ‘60s and ’70s rock space, and then Gene’s are like ‘90s American rock bands. In the middle is where we all interact.

'I’m bringing Black Sabbath, Gene’s bringing Nirvana, Ben’s bringing Arctic Monkeys.'

Villanelle began performing live in 2024 and earned significant exposure by supporting Gene's father during his Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour.

Last year they joined a variety of support acts, among them veteran indie acts Cast and Richard Ashcroft, as a newly reformed Oasis toured the world with their Live '25 reunion tour. 

Violet is the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. 

When Violet was a teenager she asked her parents if she could drop out of high school to pursue music stardom but they firmly replied, 'F*** no.'

Meanwhile, Dave famously dropped out of high school with his late mother Virginia's permission to tour with hardcore band Scream at age 17.

The Nineties-obsessed Gen-Zer dropped her 11-track debut studio album Be Sweet To Me in June.

In the same month she kicked off her 16-date tour with a sold-out show at the Moroccan Lounge in her native Los Angeles, California. 

Dave has repeatedly insisted he had 'absolutely nothing to do' with Violet's album or her signing a record deal with Republic Records/Island EMI.

'As I told Violet, I want her to really appreciate these early experiences, you know, like don't wish any of this away and don't get too ahead of yourself,' the 19-time Grammy winner said on The Late Show on May 4.

'Just, like, be in the moment right now as hard as it can be sometimes.'

Violet joined Dave onstage to showcase her pipes with covers of Adele, Jeff Buckley, the punk band X and Nirvana – including a cover of All Apologies at the FireAid benefit concert which raised $100million last year.