Photo Special
In the 60s it brought us the Stones, Who, Yardbirds, Animals, Small Faces, Cream, Pink Floyd, T-Rex, Jethro Tull; then the 70s happened, with Arthur Brown, The Jam, Status Quo, Hawkwind, Patti Smith, Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, Genesis, Police; the 80s featured a short break courtesy of Reading’s Tory Council, but still we got to see Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ramones, Killing Joke, the Mission, Pogues, Cramps, Alice Cooper, Saxon; the 90s didn’t disappoint with Prodigy, Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, Blur, RHCP, Nirvana, Public Enemy, New Order and many more. On this side of the Millennium, the main stage was graced by Oasis, Pulp, Strokes, Eminem, The White Stripes, Darkness, Iron Maiden, Muse, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, the Strokes, Guns’n’Roses, Blink 182, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Radiohead, Greenday, Arctic Monkeys, QOTSA and Biffy Clyro amongst others. In 2015, Reading Festival proves once again its ears are opened in all directions: from metal to indie or electronica, from old legends and contemporary icons to the new kids on the block, no music lover came back disappointed after a long weekend of live goodness. Headlining honours were split between the newer and rather laid-back sound of Mumford & Sons, some much heavier classics from seniors Metallica and the trademark alchemy of guitar and poetry that is The Libertines. The assortment of the main acts was reflected in the many stages, bands and fans that made this a weekend to remember. Particular kudos go to the BBC Introducing stage, giving a voice to the stars of tomorrow: finding unknown talent it’s surely a harder job, but also the one bringing the greatest satisfaction. Our best wishes to all those who were picked this year, some nice little gems in there. We probably walked 500 miles or more and we still couldn’t manage to see everything on our list; we tried our best - with some help with the wonderful official Reading app. I feel a bit bad for program sellers but what an awesome piece of technology!
Were you at Reading? Look for your picture on this issue! All photography by Cristina Massei (www.cristinamassei.com) and Mark Fletcher/Sound Photography (www.soundphotography.co.uk)
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage - FRI 13:00 A honest rock performance with a tinge of americana opens our day, with Pennsylvania energetic four piece The Districts showcasing work from their two album. The second ‘A Flourish and a Spoil’ came out in February. These lads went down a storm at SXSW and have already conquered the US with their passionate live shows, time for the UK to catch up.
Festival Republic Stage – FRI 13:25 In her press release she says “…now I’m really learning what kind of person I want to be…”. No arguing she is a great talent to watch, but swigging Jameson Whiskey will not induce the talent fairies! Natural raw talent but in need of some care!!
Lock Up Stage - FRI 13:30 Youth energy and angst in under 3 minutes bursts catchier than man flu: what’s not to love. Zane Lowe played single ‘Parasite’ three times in the same show and Parlophone just got their hands on these hot newcomers, despite their anti consumeristic pop firm stand and strong socially aware lyrics - parental advisory alert! Catch them while they’re still rough at the edges and pray the industry folk don’t do too much polishing.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – FRI 13:55 Uplifting crowd pleaser for the early afternoon came from four LA siblings, providing sunshine in the tent competing with the sunshine outside. Contemporary 80’s feel but with a real good mix of guitar hooks and bright electro and quality vocals. Worth watching out for.
Lock Up Stage – 14:15 What can be said about this Wolverhampton duo? God Damn loud, God Damn full of sound, God Damn noisy, God Damn crowd surfers, and God Damn good. Oh, and from God Damn Wolverhampton!! Check out their interview in Sonic Shocks Magazine.
Festival Republic Stage FRI 16:10 No Eliza and no Bear in view, but melody and colour aplenty from this exciting London 5 piece. Their EP ‘Lions Heart’ came out only in July but they were handpicked for a support slot by Paramore’s Hayley Williams herself well before that, cutting their teeth on arenas in the earliest stage of their career. Their selftitled debut is due in 2016.
Lock Up Stage – FRI 15:45 Labelled as Punk Folk, these people know how to party! Their set looked like they had just turned up to have a good time with each other. And by the way, if anyone is watching, you can join in too. Refreshing to see an array of different instruments other than basic drums, bass and two guitars. A Band with depth, talent, a sense of fun, and a passion to entertain.
BBC Introducing Stage – FRI 16:55 First visit to the Introducing stage this year provided this singer song writer delivering heart felt soulful music with an element of passion only equal to his white teeth and good looks (I guess the girls find him good looking) behind his cool shades. That said, this midlands lad has done good and is now set to make his way in the industry.
Lock Up Stage – FRI 17:25 Tame Punk from PA provides steady entertainment to the Lock Up crowd who seem to appreciate what they hear. These guys are all about the music and come with no frills except good social media following!
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – FRI 17:50 Synth dominated Indie-Pop from Birmingham reminds me of many New Romantic bands from the 80’s. Warming up the crowd for the headliner Limp Bizkit, this brummie bunch fill the listeners with beats and grooves all set for the climax.
BBC Introducing Stage - FRI 18:25 Libertines’ Gary Powell is onto a winner signing these kids to his own label. The Jacques show an impressive chemistry and own the stage, despite being all just under or over 20. Fin’s voice has that Doherty-esque haunting feel to it and man, these boys have Songs (capital intentional). EP ‘The Artful Dodger’ is out now, with potential anthem single ‘This Is England’. Radio seem a bit put off by a little swear word, but we don’t mind. At all.
Festival Republic Stage – FRI 20:30 More delightful summer sounds from Toronto fronted by Molly Rankin who has a voice to be envied. She sounds almost like a cross between Katie Melua and Florence Welch when she delivers the compliments to the guitar based Indie-pop.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – FRI 21:10 Surprise of the day for me. Not normally my cup of rosie lee but the mature band of some 20 years packed in the crowd and entertained them well. Fred has obviously become attached to the latest fashions from ‘Sports Direct’ and has elected against tending his beard with ‘Just for Men’ but the crew still manage to pull it off with a large percentage of the Reading crowd in da ‘ouse!
Main Stage – SAT 12:00 Hmmm. Three young girls from Japan who look younger than they are. How big can they be? Well, opening Saturday at midday normally has mediocre crowd as most people are suffering hangovers etc. The arena was packed with a crowd almost as big as for Metallica! Nothing more to say except these will continue to be phenomenal until they are too old (in about 3 years time).
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage SAT 12:00 Opening the second biggest stage today is another young act that recently captured the attention of a big fish in RCA. They travelled the US far and wide to find themselves and the result is surprising and magnificently British, recalling Muse and Radiohead with their mighty arena sound. And even at midday, they turn this tent into a stadium.
The Pit - SAT 12:00 LTNT’s van parked in Reading for another electrifying, sweaty performance; so much so that we truly hope someone let them have a shower afterwards. Down’n’dirty rock’n’roll mayhem, just what you need to wake up after your first festival day, thank you lads!
The Pit – SAT 12:40 Screams, growls, rap and guitar, these bunch belt it out one after the other to the Pit who admit they have not heard of The One Hundred before. That did not stop the crowd eventually settling into the metalcore fronted by the energetic Jacob Field.
Main Stage - SAT 12:45 Some bands just don’t hit you as hard until you see them live. Walking past main stage, Californian skate punksters Fidlar hit me like a truck of lit fireworks. I can’t believe I missed their 2013 self titled debut and several UK shows, but its follow up ‘Too’ has just been released. Grab a copy and get ready for an epic mosh next time they play a venue near you.
The Pit - SAT 13:20 I’m unsure where this duo are heading or what their intentions are but they are reputed to be Punk-Rap. Remove the Pun and you will be closer to reality. Growling, screaming, death inciting lyrics and a very grim view on everything is where they actually are. Out to shock? I don’t know. I’m a broad minded individual with a broad taste in music and for me, this isn’t on my list of ‘I would like to experience that again’.
BBC Introducing Stage – SAT 13:50 Popular with the BBC and local to Reading. Haling out of the Reading Rock Academy, this 5 piece drew the crowd and delivered some talented numbers. Getting chants from the crowd before and during their set of “We love you George”.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage - SAT 14:25 Slavery has many faces, not all necessarily unfamiliar to a couple of white lads from Kent. The name is not that controversial but sounds right and sticks in your memory, just like their live shows. At a guess, after experiencing their frenzied performance twice, I’d say that’s exactly what the hype is all about. Dive in and feed the mantaray…
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage - SAT 15:20 A welcome return at Reading for Fred McPherson’s Spector, promoted to the NME stage as they unleash their second full length. The recently much used ‘pop noir’ label doesn’t quite describe their live show, made of many shades and not all grey either. Brilliant. We could watch this all over again. And again. And again. Vibrant pop that will make you smile, dance and shed a tear of joy.
Festival Republic Stage – SAT 15:40 Looking like throw backs of the 70’s, I was expecting music to match but the Stockport lads delivered great guitar based sounds with some very complimentary keys over the top. Ones to watch? Check them out.
BBC Introducing Stage – SAT 16:15 Folk Punk from Norwich looking like the bunch from the film The Commitments. Producing good music in their own style makes them worthy of the BBC stage.
The Pit – SAT 17:40 Fronted by Lynn Gunn, this three piece have an energy that is synonymous with festivals. Mixing rock and electronic and delivering with their infectious energy makes for a good band to listen to. I think the Pit crowd would agree!
Festival Republic Stage - SAT 18:05 These young three brothers from Missouri have just released their debut album, recorded in Sheffield with Arctic Monkeys’ producer Ross Orton. Frontman Dee looks like Terence Trent D’Arby, but the voice that comes out is more early Misfits, an influence confirmed by a Danzig tee showing under his checkered shirt. Fast and hard as a punk show should be with a deep edge to make sure you’ll remember them - and their just as memorable album title ‘Dark Black Makeup’.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage - SAT 18:35 After 8 years and 3 albums, the latest ‘Get To Heaven’ released in June looks to be the one to propel Everything Everything in the major league. Their blend of alternative rock, art-pop, electronica and some more was never going to be an overnight success, but now the ice has been slowly and patiently broken, Higgs & Co are here to stay. Reading takes a break from moshpits and scream-alongs to dance to the ethereal falsetto and more complex stylings on offer at the NME tent.
Festival Republic Stage – SAT 18:55 Smoking on stage – naughty boys! Seasoned professionals with over 4.5 million album sales globally means you will get a particular level of quality. And they delivered. Some good grit and hooks from the three piece but nothing new in terms of style of composition. Resting on their laurels? Well real laurels rot and compost. Be careful guys!
BBC Introducing Stage - SAT 19:15 Reverend & The Makers and The Enemy got there first choosing them as support, but BBC showed a thirst for the best new blood out there with Leeds four piece Clay. The boys from Leeds play with the enthusiasm and freshness of their young age and a professionalism that is impressive for a band less than a year old. It’s indie with a number of influences nicely blending together, dreamy harmonies and rock guitars. Another exciting introduction from Reading and BBC.
Festival Republic Stage - SAT 19:45 They made so much noise on the UK live circuit that you might not realize Darlia are still to release a full length. Their charged grungey performances alone won them an audience that continues to grow regardless of new material. While drooling in anticipation over the first album out later this year, fans follow every gig avidly and you just need to attend one to understand why. This was definitely a good example, and despite a few worrying clashes they filled - and rocked - the Festival Republic tent. We want more.
BBC Introducing Stage – SUN 12:25 Good effort at their first ever festival appearance and they attracted a good crowd at the BBC Introducing stage despite the weather. A technical bunch that would benefit more emotion in the music as they clearly express emotion on stage.
Festival Republic Stage SUN 12:25 This Latin New York duo gets the Festival Republic audience hot and bothered with their passionate sound and heartfelt social protest. Delila and Edgey offer an intense performance and a brand of rock that incorporates their hometown and roots in one irresistible music hurricane; we can see why RATM Tom Morello is a proud supporter. The gig reaches a climax as Edgey holds his guitar in the air revealing a ‘refugees welcome’ sign. Read their upfront and sincere interview on the next Sonic Shocks.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – SUN 12:50 Claiming inspiration from the likes of early Madonna and Blood Orange, Shura has since signed to Polydor Records, seen her first London gig sell out and been longlisted for the prestigious BBC ‘Sound of 2015’ award. Following the breakout success of her latest single '2Shy', she is currently recording her debut album due out later this year.
The Pit – SUN 13:30 Delivering tracks from their latest album ‘Everything is Fine’ and more, these Leeds lads quickly got the attention of the Pit crowd with their driving rhythm, catchy hooks, and melodic punk/rock overtones to deliver a great set for an early band. Would be good to see these back next year!
Main Stage - SUN 13:45 Against Me! celebrate the imminent release of live album ’23 Live Sex Acts’ with 45 orgasmic minutes of irresistible punk rock. Laura Jane sports a ‘gender is over’ t-shirt and a truckload of pride, confidently fronting the band for a scorching set making this stormy Sunday morning a bit less grey. Bring on the follow up to ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’, we’re ready.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – SUN 13:50 The thing I dislike about British vocalists that attempt rap, or talking story telling style vocals is that the accent just doesn’t work! This guy has some serious talent but he needs to stick to singing. Because anything else just spoils the music.
The Pit – SUN 14:15 Unique style and full of talent. Carre Callaway also surrounds herself with some serious armour in the form of long standing high profile musicians that add a level of quality only found in many headlining acts. Together they form a captive experience despite what you may think of Carre’s odd movements around the stage.
BBC Introducing Stage – SUN 15:25 Black lipstick, eye catching circular shades, or boobs hanging out. Whichever of these gets your attention, they are all a smokescreen because Skinner is hiding behind these things for some reason that I don’t understand because her voice is soulful, powerful and versatile. No wonder this Leeds Lass is supported by the BBC. Incidently, she did tempt the crowd with the little teaser “…and who knows, me boobs might even fall out…”. Of course I hung around like any true reporter would to double check… But they didn’t
The Pit - SUN 15:45 Turbowolf and their guitars surely know how to throw a party. Many comparisons have been made; mine is to The Darkness musically and Foxy Shazam visually, without the falsetto. They’ve got the songs, they’ve got the skills, they’ve got the entertainment. If you were anywhere else, you’ve missed out.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage – SUN 15:50 Not my cup of tea normally but this guy had plenty of soul to the point I could listen to him to chill me out. Having recently toured with Sam Smith, this guy is promising.
The Pit – SUN 17:25 Celebrating his third wedding anniversary and bringing his baby daughter on stage (complete with ear muffs), Frank Carter put on a good show. Attempting to get the biggest mosh pit of the weekend didn’t really pay off as the former Gallows front man threw plenty of energy into his show.
Main Stage - SUN 21.55 The boys in the band betray a timid sense of reverence as they face the Reading crowd, like pupils repeating an exam they previously failed. Under the scrutiny of that same audience who saw them trying in 2010, they eventually get their confidence back and win them over. ‘You’re My Waterloo’ mutes everyone, even the naysayers: so there was more to Doherty than the tabloids printed after all. A random lady runs to me excited: ‘I’m not a Libertines fan but how did he wrote this? It’s beautiful!’. Tracks from new album ‘Anthems for Doomed Youth’ are received
enthusiastically, especially Camden chant ‘Fame and Fortune’; old anthems bring mayhem and joy in the front rows, quickly spreading to the back for fan favourites like ‘Last Post on the Bugle’, ‘Death on the Stairs’, ‘Time for Heroes’, ’What a Waster’. At ‘Don’t Look Back into the Sun’ another random girl runs to me, hugs me and tells me she loves me, I say I love her back, we both run to the front and join the closing party with ‘I Get Along’. Carl hugs Pete, Pete takes Gary on his shoulder, John smiles. The boys have passed this time. Here at Reading tonight we’re all Libertines.
the awesome people of Reading 2015!