Thursday at YNOT Festival was the start of an incredible weekend, but that’s not to say it wasn’t a little bit hectic too.
The day started off by us jumping on our first ever big green coach from Manchester. this felt like a bit of a festival milestone, a right of passage we hadn’t yet completed and it’s something we will definitely be doing again! So straight forward from the loading to the set off, everything ran smoothly and it’s a great cost and energy efficient way of traveling to and from the festival!
We got dropped off near the artist camping area of the festival, which again was very well done as we got escorted through by a member of the team and told where to meet on Monday morning to go back home. However, this was where we had a bit of trouble…
When we arrived to the queue we spoke to a security guard asking for the box office to collect our press wristbands, he was lovely and really tried his best to help us but just didn’t know where said box office was and perhaps wasn’t given a lot of information on the festival site. So we kept walking, we then was met with another security guard who walked us down to the accreditation, except this was the wrong building and again….
Not the box office we asked for. This, with our heavy tent and cases and being told we’d have to go all the way up the hill was not what we wanted to hear. But it didn’t dampen our spirits! We headed to the press tent for some help where we met the amazing Tom and another man working in press over the weekend. After showing our accreditation the two went above and beyond to let us leave our stuff while we got to the right place, however I think the security were really struggling with the ins and outs and could’ve done with a bit more information next year to save us the extra steps. a few others we met along the way were also having the same issue, including a group trying to get there working accreditation and not being able to enter the site to get it without a wristband….
Which they were going in there to try and get. Everyone was so friendly and was really trying to help, however I think next year some more support for the festival security would be very helpful. we got there in the end.
We was then ready for camp, the paradise peaks area was quite empty when we arrived so finding a spot was very quick. There were some issues for those arriving on the Friday though where spots did fill up very quickly and a second area was opened behind the toilets and showers. Day 1 queues were how you’d expect for the upgrade people had paid, in proportion and again very quick.
However by the Friday the capacity seemed to have gone way above the facility’s that were given with a lot saying they’d upped the capacity but not provided any extra toilet/shower/pamper areas. Which obviously caused a lot of frustration when people were waiting long amounts of time for them. We personally didn’t wait any longer than 30 minutes for a shower, and maybe 20/25 max for the toilet at the more “peak” and busy times. So we didn’t see this happen as much and was pretty happy, or maybe we just got lucky.
We also had our own designated entrance in paradise peaks directly into the festival entering near the pit and some great food stalls which was a saving grace on many occasions. I’d definitely recommend this site for future years at the festival. We never encountered any queues at this entrance and security were always very friendly and helpful. It was great at the end of the night knowing we never had far to walk to camp, also if we’d forgot anything through the day, or needed to grab a jacket or just have a chill by the tent in quieter moments this was an amazing feature.
We then decided to venture out and head to the pit stage. This was one of my favourite stages of the weekend, it was placed next to the hog and barrel which was designed beautifully like a pub. Posters on the walls of past festivals and a somewhat homely feel to it. this feeling was championing this stage, with so many incredible upcoming artists/bands across the 4 days.
On Thursday we started with the public eye, a band who I’ve had recommended to me many times so I was excited to finally check them out. The tent was spilling out and the local lads were a great way for us to start our weekend off. “Julia” is one of the tracks they sung and it was phenomenal. The crowd were singing from front to back, people on shoulders and soaking it all in. A very bright future is ahead of this band and they are a prime example of why it’s so important to check out these stages at festivals.
We then stayed in the pit for the slates, a band I’ve seen many times and are an unmissable set on any lineup. Freed from desire blared through the speakers just before the slates took to the stage, louder than the tunes they had playing through before and the crowd erupted. The energy from the whole tent was incredible, shield your drink especially was electric and one of my favourite songs of the set. the crowd were raring to go despite many having a long morning setting up their homes for the weekend and I think the incredible bands this feeling never fail to showcase was the main reason for this.
After this we had a little venture through the beautiful site before libertines. To the right of the pit was some local stalls from vintage clothing to temporary tattoos and it was great having a wonder through and checking out what they had to offer. We found the festival to be quite compact, not in a way that made it overwhelming, but a way that made it very easy to get from stage to stage/area to area which was great.
Strawberry fields was something I especially loved at this festival. although we never took any children to the festival ourselves, so we didn’t spend much if any time in this area. I could see how much the kids were loving having this place to themselves to recharge, play and even just be able to run freely in what can be a very overwhelming and overstimulating thing being at a festival.
It never seemed to busy while we wondered past and many said it was a place they felt safe letting there kids explore for a while to let off some steam. In strawberry fields they had swings, workshops, shows, activities and even kids raves so they felt fully involved. Having younger siblings who I often take to festivals with me, I know how much this can change a whole day for the better having that space to relax with the little ones.
Before long it was time for the libertines, it was my first time seeing them live and that MainStage was packed! What became of the likely lads, merry old England, music when the lights go out were among the setlist of incredible songs they played on the night.
The cross generational joy in the crowd was great to see, people of all ages together in one field singing word for word. As the sunset on the fields the atmosphere only got more beautiful, can’t stand me now played out through the speakers, flares lighting up the now dark sky. It’s moments like these that makes a festival, and YNOT had these magical moments wherever you looked.
They of course then ended with don’t look back into the sun. The crowd had waited for this final moment. There’s something so cool about Pete Doherty and Carl Barat which just has the whole crowd captivated, it was phenomenal, surreal almost hearing that song live in that setting. Overlooking the beautiful peaks, surrounded by people who love the same thing as you, all living in the same moment. Magic.
That marked the end of our day 1 at YNOT. We decided on a pizza and chips to get us through the dark night in the tent and honestly, as far as affordability for food at a festival goes we were very impressed. Most meals we ate coming at £13-14.50 at most for a full portion, we never felt like we were being charged astronomical prices. The portions were huge and great quality. Well worth spending to keep you well fuelled throughout the weekend.
Day 1 was unreal, YNOT festival take a bow.
@sliceofindie I did my first ever write up with @RGM : REYT GOOD MAG !! I’d love to know what you think! Any feedback is very much appreciated, hopefully it transports you straight to the barrier at that huge @Y Not Festival @The Reytons headline🍋🟩🫶🏼 #thereytons #headline #ynotfestival #writeup #magazine ♬ original sound – slice of indie🍋🟩
Friday morning started bright and early with a 7am shower in paradise peaks, I have never felt so fresh at a festival before! These showers were well worth the upgrade alone in my opinion, after that we used the pamper stations to get ready, that came with plugs for your straighteners and hair dryers, mirrors and seating with plenty of space which was perfect for making yourself feel that little bit better before a long day of great music! Then it was straight into the arena!
The day started off in style with the mighty Lancashire hotpots, a band I’ve never seen before but I will be seeing again! These lads were the PERFECT festival openers, they drew a huge crowd for so early in the morning and got everyone involved. We had egg sausage chips and beans inspired outfits dancing along next to us, kids and adults alike in Lancashire hotpot merch living there best lives and flat caps everywhere… it really seemed to be a highlight of many people’s weekends and I can see why! They had outfit changes, every instrument you can imagine and tunes that will be stuck in your head for the foreseeable future. We’re all still singing “has the bin man bin mon” days after we came home!
After that we headed to see Taylor Liam Jackson, Taylor played the quarry stage this year and it was the busiest they’d ever seen the stage at that time. Taylor and his incredible band came with unreal energy and hard hitting indie bangers that had that early afternoon crowd bouncing from start to finish. Down the front was plastered in Taylor Liam Jackson merch, flags and fans singing word for word. It’s amazing to see young upcoming talent get showcased at the festival and especially on these big stages. Taylor is making his way further up the bill every year, playing the hog and barrel the year before and packing that out, this year a packed out quarry… nothing is stopping these lads and I’m sure you’ll see them gracing that MainStage sooner than you think.
It was then time for the lilacs, who had been moved up to MainStage due to phenomenal demand…. we could see exactly why! The MainStage was packed for this set and with hype building for there new album “keeping up with the joneses” the lilacs seem to be on absolute top form. They started off with one of my favourites “you’re not that daft”, the crowd erupted the minute they graced the stage (see what I did there…). “Up the lilacs!” Chants rippled through the crowd and the energy was high as they carried on into “calling it a night”.
We then got the first single from the new album “girl behind the bar”, since its release I’ve been listening to this track religiously and it seems the rest of the crowd had done the same. Every lyric was sung right back at them and this was a very good indicator that this new album will be something special! This was followed by there newest single “what’s the worst that can happen?” Despite it being a brand new song, it went down an absolute treat with the loyal crowd again not missing a beat. “Grace” and “vicarage road” ended what was a great Lilacs set, that stage upgrade was very much deserved and the lilacs proved that on Friday.
Up next was reverend and the makers on the MainStage and they just never disappoint. The stage presence Jon McClure has is out of this world, he really had the crowd in the palm of his hands! The set started with the flags being waved high on each side of the stage, this carried on throughout the whole set which in the heat we had on this day was extremely impressive!
The crowd interaction Rev brings to his sets is great too, betting fans down the front £20 if they can sing the lyrics back towards the end of “haircut” which was one of my favourites of the set was just one of them moments. The lad next to me was one of the betters and absolutely smashed it, I wonder if he got his £20! “Heavyweight champion of the world” then rang out through the speakers and I saw people from every generation giving it there all.
There was families of kids and adults alike all screaming the same lyrics, on shoulders down to front all the way to the back. It’s a timeless track that will forever be one of the all time greats! Of course the set ended with the song that soundtracked our summer “silence is talking” despite our unfortunate loss at one of the final hurdles this year, you’d think that MainStage on Friday was the World Cup final. Shirts were swinging in the air, drinks everywhere due to the bouncing crowd. Jon said “we’re gonna’ cause an earthquake” and he did exactly that! What a way to end the set.
Up next was Freddie Halkon, super Freddie Halkon! It’s been absolutely amazing seeing Freddie playing main stages this festival season. I was lucky enough to see Freddie supporting the Reytons at leadmill back in 2024 and the confidence and stage presence he’s built since then is nothing short of phenomenal. Down the front was a Freddie Halkon flag with fans raring to go, the screams and cheers as he walked onto that stage was a sign of an electric 30 minutes to come.
Kicking things off was a track from the latest album shoulders of the world, “only got eachover” was a perfect opener that I love hearing live! To me this song makes me think about all of my friends I’m stood right next to watching the set, it’s a song with lyrics that resonate in so many different ways to different people! As the set continued on we got to hear Freddie’s brand new single “Chinese takeaway” a song with a beautiful but also heartbreaking inspiration and meaning behind it. It’s an emotional one, and you can see just how much it means to Freddie while playing it live.
The passion he had throughout the whole set was sensational but especially for this song, he and the crowd alike was giving it there absolute all. Hearing Chinese takeaway really was a highlight of the whole weekend for me, if you haven’t heard it I urge you to have a listen! Another song I wanted to touch on was shoulders of the world, the title track to the latest album. Looking around during this set is magic, watching people on shoulders singing along to this, one of the slower songs on the set is one of them beautiful moments you find at festivals. Taking it all in and realising just how amazing live music really is. Freddie ended the set with girl in the smoking area, an absolute classic of Freddie’s and a favourite among fans. Freddie halkon, take a bow!
Up next for us was the Royston club, I knew this set was going to be a popular one as the Royston club are absolutely smashing it on the scene at the moment. However, nothing prepared me for just how busy and how amazing this set would be. “Cariad” was maybe one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed at a festival, Tom faithful’s voice is truelyphenomenal but you couldn’t hear it as clear over the volume of fans singing back to him…. whatever way I describe it probably won’t do it justice, the fields where echoing with the lyrics and the sheer emotion of the fans while repeating those words back was nothing short of incredible. The Royston club will be a band you see headline these festivals before you know it.
We then went to fuel up with some food, pulled pork loaded fries to be exact… again one of the amazing food options they had at this festival, people talk a lot about overpriced/overhyped food at festivals but I couldn’t fault anything I’d ate over this weekend. Great portions and high quality!
After this we caught some of the fratellis, “Chelsea dagger” obviously being a huge hit across the crowd at MainStage. This song is a festival staple even if they aren’t playing on the lineup! however I think so many forget how incredible the setlist is for this band beyond that song. I definitely did not give the fratellis the credit they deserve enough before this! “Henrietta” was unreal to hear live. not to mention “whistle for the choir” too, these two especially do not get the credit they deserve! Also a massive shoutout to “the wild tonics” who are the backing singers for the fratellis, these girls are phenomenal and really add so much to the set.
Dizzee rascal was up next and wow. You could not move in this crowd, we were down the front for this one and I don’t think my two feet were on the floor at the same time once throughout the whole set! “We want bass, we want bass….” was bellowed across the fields as Dizzee and MK walked out onto the big gin stage.
This set came with a great mix of classic hits and newer tracks. His ninth studio album “we want bass” is scheduled to release September 4th and we got a great taste of what’s to come during this hour of none stop energy. Hearing songs like “so hot” and “all night” which will be on the upcoming album and went down an absolute treat. “Bassline junkie” was played 4th song in on the set, a clear one of the crowds favourites as the whole ground felt like it shook from under us, the graphics at the back adding to the absolutely mental atmosphere rippling through the sea of people all bounding to the beat.
Some might say it was a rogue choice having this set towards the end of a day of more “indie” music and right before a Reytons headline which is again a quite different genre, but this set proved YNOT knew exactly what they were doing. there was nothing out of place about them being the set before the big end of Friday night headline. The set was of course ended with “bonkers” which was nothing short of bonkers! Dizzee rascal has definitely still got it and this set proved there is very much still huge demand and love for this high intensity, anthemic set.
The last set of the day was the mighty Reytons and what a set it was. I did a full in depth write up on this set that you can find on this website, RGM. However I was once again blown away from the Rotherham lads, who always seem to outdo themselves on every occasion. It is such a huge inspiration to see the Reytons who are still unsigned and doing things all on their own terms and by themselves headline a major festival like YNOT. They had a lot of doubters coming into this set, but they were immediately proved wrong as soon as red smoke started and the flares lit up the now dark YNOT fields.
From the stage setup with the shops, flats, streetlights and telephone boxes that transport you to a place so familiar to many. To the screams and roars to tunes like “2006”, “Billy big bollocks”, “slice of lime” and “best night of his life” just to name a few.
This set was another milestone for the band overlooking anyone who said they couldn’t. Kids of the estate felt somewhat emotional towards the end of the set, as Jonny came out into the crowd celebrating with the community and singing the lyrics alongside them before heading back up leaving a part of the song to the crowd to sing alone. Word for word it was sung and what a magical moment it was.
Please do take some time to read the in write up I did for this headline, this set was the perfect way to end a back to back, incredible band after incredible band day at YNOT festival 2026. They proved once again they are more than worthy of these headline slots, the reytons had arrived, marked there territory and there was nothing you could do to stop them!
✍️ WORDS BY LILY DIMELOW FROM SLICE OF INDIE
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