Eminem has been added to the bill for the Reading & Leeds Festivals in 2017, completing the headliners alongside previously announced stars Muse and Kasabian.

It will be the third time the megastar rapper has headlined the festivals, having last performed in 2013 and 2001, and will undoubtedly fuel recent speculation that Em is prepping a ninth studio album for later in 2017.

The festival’s organiser, Melvin Benn, said that he was “beyond excited” to welcome Slim Shady back to the twin festivals for a third time. “His 2013 headline performance was incredible and I can’t wait to have him back.”

EminemEminem is headlining Reading & Leeds for the third time

Additionally, the festival announced more than 70 additional acts who’ll be taking to the various stages over the three-day event, which is held on August 25th-27th. L.A. indie-pop three-piece Haim, South London rapper Giggs, and Stockport band Blossoms are just some of the names included in those newly announced acts, adding to a bill that Benn says is looking “stronger than ever”.

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Previously announced acts included Fatboy Slim, Two Door Cinema Club, Wiley, Bastille and Major Lazer.

However, that initial batch of artists that was announced back in December drew criticism from some quarters, as many pointed out that of the 57 artists, only one included even one female band member. This has been partially addressed by 16 of the acts announced on Wednesday (February 23rd) containing at least one woman – Haim and singer-songwriter Ray BLK being two of them – but the imbalance is likely to remain.

Kasabian are headlining for the second time, having previously topped the bill in 2012, whereas Muse are old hands at Reading & Leeds. They’ve headlined twice previously, in 2006 and in 2011. On the latter occasion, they played their 2001 album Origin of Symmetry in its entirety for its 10th anniversary.

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