Reading Festival's application to extend its music licence to cover Thursday nights has run into opposition from local residents concerned about noise. Organisers Festival Republic had applied to Reading Borough Council to allow amplified music on the main stage from 5pm to midnight on Thursdays, turning the event into a four-day festival from 2027 if approved, but residents' groups say late-night amplified sound would disrupt sleep for those living nearby.

The change would only apply to Thursday, since Reading & Leeds usually treats Wednesday and Thursday as warm-up days before performances run from Friday to Sunday. Leeds already has permission for Thursday music and will use it for the first time this year, with Kasabian headlining. Residents' associations WADRA and CADRA, representing hundreds of objectors, say they support the festival generally but view the extension as unfair and disruptive, while Festival Republic maintains an impact assessment found no adverse effect on residents and argues the extra hours would keep visitors at organised entertainment rather than in campsites. This year's festival runs from 27–30 August, with headliners including Fontaines D.C., Florence + The Machine, DAVE, Charli XCX, RAYE and Chase & Status, alongside a major staging overhaul at both sites.