91Èȱ¬

The 91Èȱ¬ Introducing stage at this year's Reading and Leeds festivals will feature a headline set from and sets from another two Welsh bands.

(Cardiff's dual-bass noise terrorists) and (Aberdare power-pop fivesome) will join Wrexham's Gallops on the same bill, Saturday at Leeds and Sunday at Reading.

Radio 1's new music maestro and Welshman extraordinaire Huw Stephens said, "I'm very excited about the line up for Reading and Leeds this year, and Exit International playing is going to be awesome. With Gallops headlining as well in the returners' slot it shows there's an exciting time ahead for them also."

We asked Radio Wales' Adam Walton about Gallops' headline slot: "This is really exciting for them and the many people in Wrexham who've witnessed and supported their rise," he said. "They're the first band from the town to headline a stage at a major festival, and they've managed to do that without compromising their intelligent and fearsome music.

"This couldn't be timed better, either, because their long-awaited debut EP on Holy Roar is released that week. It's a major stepping stone for the band and a great inspiration for musicians from north east Wales."

Gallops' guitarist Brad said, "It's a massive honour to be asked to play the festival; a lot of us were actually planning to attend this year without even playing, so to be asked to play is amazing. It gives the whole band a boost and hopefully we can reach out to a lot of people who wouldn't have heard us otherwise."

Exit International

Exit International's verbose mouthpiece Scott Lee Andrews told us, "This is hands-down the biggest musical achievement of our lives. Excited is not the word for us. Bands like Pulled Apart By Horses came through the 91Èȱ¬ Introducing stage and it has been a platform for greater things. Having been a spectator for many years, I've always wanted to play there, Nirvana being a huge reason. The festival to me growing up was the high-water mark of the summer; to ride that wave is indescribable."

And when I bumped into the youthful rockers of Reaper In Sicily in the 91Èȱ¬ Wales building this afternoon they said, "It's like a dream come true. We owe it to ourselves as we've not played for five months. We had to cancel some festivals [due to guitarist Matthew Jenkins being diagnosed with leukaemia, now in remission] and we said no to Reading and Leeds at first because we didn't know if we could do it. If it wasn't Reading and Leeds we'd have said no."

Bethan Elfyn is the presenter of 91Èȱ¬ Introducing in Wales. She said, "91Èȱ¬ Introducing stage is going from strength to strength and its absolutely amazing that we have three Welsh bands on the line up this year. Two bands for the first time, and one returning act to headline - which is Gallops.

"I'm thrilled that two of Wales' very distinctive bands will be representing. I nominated them from the show as they are cutting new ground with what they are doing, their songs are strong and playing live they are exciting and will turn people's heads at the festival.

"It's great that this will be the first festival experience ever for Reaper in Sicilly, and brilliant that the band can bounce back from Matt's illness with such a big opportunity.

"Likewise, Exit International will be controversial, in your face, and certainly entertaining. So I think both bands will make the most of this huge opportunity. It's basically a great way to reach a bigger audience.

"The Introducing stage at Reading is bang in the middle of the festival site, so you can't help but catch loads of people's attention as you wander around.

"If you're in a new band and would like to be nominated for such a place maybe next year - all the details are up online at www.bbc.co.uk/introducing - and make friends with us on Radio One Wales, send us your music, as we get to nominate bands for the final festival panel to pick their faves, and we've got a good track record so far!"

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