The British-Guyanese rapper appeared on the festival’s main stage – now known as The Grid – this afternoon (August 30), ahead of sets from Role Model, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status.
Lista completa
- READ MORE: Loyle Carner on combating toxic masculinity with his live shows.
- Slayyyter live at Reading 2026: pop’s star du jour blasts off.
- Maisie Peters talks third album ‘Florescence’ and upcoming The O2 headline show at Reading 2026: “I literally can’t fathom it”.
- Geese live at Reading Festival 2026: an apocalyptic show amid a biblical downpour.
- Dolly Parton, 1946-2026: the Queen of Country was a unifying force in a divided world.
- For Quiet Light, duality is a fact of life: “Everything is way more connected than we think”.
Before playing ‘Horcrux’, Carner explained the song’s connection to the Harry Potter series while distancing himself from its author.
The remark was greeted by loud cheers from festivalgoers.
Later in the set, while speaking about his five-year-old son, Carner criticised “toxic masculinity bullshit” and spoke in support of promoting emotional intelligence among young people.
He followed the speech by introducing ‘Speed Of Plight’ as being a song “in direct opposition of the far right”.
At another point during the performance, he encouraged the audience to “make some noise for the NHS”.
Explaining the song’s title last year, Carner told The Music he had been inspired by the concept of Horcruxes containing fragments of a person’s soul. He compared that idea with the parts of himself that would live on through his children.
Rowling has faced widespread criticism over her views on gender and trans rights, which she has denied are transphobic. Most recently, Harry Potter actor Bel Powley said she “strongly disagrees” with the author’s position, adding that the trans community deserved “safety and dignity”.
Other stars of the upcoming HBO adaptation of the series have made similar comments, including John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu.
Carner’s comments about masculinity echoed a theme that he hit during his set at Reading in 2023, when he delivered a speech about toxic masculinity and breaking cycles of trauma before playing ‘Still’.
The moment was named among NME’s highlights from that year’s festival.
Speaking to NME shortly afterwards, he explained why he felt it was important to create space for those conversations at his shows.
Carner previously headlined Glastonbury’s Other Stage in 2025, where he was joined by Jorja Smith and Sampha.
Check back at NME here for the latest news, reviews, photos, interviews and more from Reading & Leeds 2026.
The world's defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what's new and what's next since 1952.
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn More.
NME Networks, a part of Caldecott Music Group. All rights reserved.
