Reading & Leeds boss Melvin Benn has told Music Week the dual event’s stellar ticket sales have vindicated its controversial 2018 line-up.

The bill was met with a mixed reaction when unveiled back in February, with some diehards claiming its multi-genre offering strayed too far from the festival’s rock roots.

But the move has paid off handsomely, with all tickets for Reading selling out in advance and Leeds reporting its strongest sales in years.

“I was very confident about the ...