Arctic Monkeys: 'Reading + Leeds has a special place in our hearts'

Arctic Monkeys have spoken of their fondness for Reading and Leeds festival, which they say has "a special place in our hearts."

The band are set to headline the festival this weekend (22-24 August), along with fellow headliners Blink-182, Paramore and Queens Of The Stone Age.

Speaking to NME ahead of their set, frontman Alex Turner said: "This festival has a special place in our hearts, as it's the only one at which we've truly enjoyed the '360 experience'. As teenagers we attended a few times and fond memories were forged."

He added: "We've seen a lot of festival crowds over the last 10 summers but this one is different, especially for us as it's the one we were once a part of. Like when we were youths it's a weekend we are once again very much looking forward to and seems like the perfect place to leave things for a while."

When the band first played Reading and Leeds in 2005, they performed on the new bands stage. They went on to headline for the first time in 2009.

Following their set at Reading and Leeds, Arctic Monkeys are set to play at France's Rock en Seine festival before heading to Canada and the United States.