Loyle Carner used his Reading Festival set on 30 August 2026 to criticise author J.K. Rowling, "toxic masculinity", and the far right, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. Performing on the festival's main stage (now branded The Grid) ahead of Role Model, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status, the British-Guyanese rapper made the comments amid ongoing wider controversy over Rowling's views on gender and trans rights, which other Harry Potter-linked stars have also recently criticised.

Before playing "Horcrux", Carner said he loved Harry Potter but "don't really like J.K. Rowling", while discussing his young son he condemned "toxic masculinity bullshit" and championed emotional intelligence, and he introduced "Speed Of Plight" as a song "in direct opposition of the far right". He also urged the crowd to support the NHS. Both songs feature on his acclaimed albums "Hopefully!" and "Hugo", and the set echoed a similar speech on toxic masculinity he gave at Reading in 2023.