Reading or Leeds?

[disco-dani]

My mates have been to both, ive only been to Leeds.

I want to go to leeds again, mainly just cause its closer (we're from edinburgh) so why not?

But they are all spending extra money to go all the way to Reading.

I dont really know why and they just say "its better"

Is it actually much diffrent? And if so, how?

[Englishdragon]

The difference is about 150 miles

[Jailbreak]

Id always read on here that Leeds was better, better sound, better atmosphere etc, but iv only been to reading so cant really comment.

[disco-dani]

The difference is about 150 miles

[likelyladtom]

It's actually more like 220 miles.

But the difference for someone like me (in the Midlands) is minimal.

[Vieuphoria]

I believe... though i'm unsure.... Reading always get the best Setlist/preformances etc, and Leeds tends to get a better atmosphere. Unsure though.

[rexclark]

Same line up, Leeds campsite entertainment goes on till 6am, Leeds is not in the middle of a city centre, Leeds festival gets extra acts on the Thursday (I don't know if Reading does as well).

[olly!olly!olly!]

Asked same question on this forum a while back- the majority seem to say (and I agree) that Reading probably gets better performances from the bands, but Leeds has more to do, better atmosphere, less dickheads etc

[pink_triangle]

I have been to both more than once, there is not difference in terms of quality of performance from bands as far as I have seen. The setlists also differ very little. When I have been to reading I found I saw less bands due to the location of the town centre. I would say the crowds are slightly different as well. Reading crowds are a bit more rock orientated which means certain bands like kings of leon went down really well at leeds but not at reading.

[RichieSpenno]

I have been to both more than once, there is not difference in terms of quality of performance from bands as far as I have seen. The setlists also differ very little. When I have been to reading I found I saw less bands due to the location of the town centre. I would say the crowds are slightly different as well. Reading crowds are a bit more rock orientated which means certain bands like kings of leon went down really well at leeds but not at reading.

[olly!olly!olly!]

Reading crowds are a bit more rock orientated which means certain bands like kings of leon went down really well at leeds but not at reading.

[disco-dani]

So is there less entertainment at Reading?

like at leeds there was a silent disco and the relentless dance tent and waaay more

also, where gets worse riots and tent fires?

[ellageorge]

Obviously this is only my opinion, and everyone has different views on what's good and whats not...

But i went to Leeds 07 and 09, and Reading in 08 because my friend moved to London so we thought it'd be good to check it out...

Anyway, i found that Leeds definitely has the better atmosphere, everyone just seems much more friendly and happy... also because it's in the middle of nowhere, everyone's in the same position and can't just pop out to the town centre for supplies etc like you can at Reading...so everyone kind of looks out for each other and what not...

Reading however, is better organised for wristbands, bars, etc... so if you prefer to not wait around then Reading's definitely better. On the other hand, they don't seem to have as many burger vans dotted around the actual campsites, whereas at Leeds there's usually a couple in each one...

As for the actual bands, I sometimes find that they see Reading as the "main" fest and Leeds as the 'little sister', so gear themselves up for that Reading a bit more, so give their best performance...

But they always seem quite pleasantly surprised when they come to Leeds and the reaction from the crowd is just as good, if not even better (e.g. KOL last year)

Overall, i personally prefer Leeds... but I wouldn't turn Reading down if I had to go there again,

At the end of the day, a festival's what you make it, and you're bound to have an amazing time no matter where you go really.

Edited March 21, 2010 by ellageorge

[olly!olly!olly!]

So is there less entertainment at Reading?

like at leeds there was a silent disco and the relentless dance tent and waaay more

also, where gets worse riots and tent fires?

[Porcelina]

I think Leeds' 'thing' is that it's so far out of the way it feels like its own little world, whereas I can imagine Reading city centre being a little 'too' accessible?

Bramham park is just a sacred place to me haha.

[JBarbour]

Wasn't that because the majority of the reading crowd was there for sex on fire and use somebody?

I'm having the same dilemma too. Want to try Reading but not sure if it's worth it.

[Museaholic]

I'm having the same dilemma but the other way round, i've been to Reading and thought the atmosphere was pretty shit tbh as well as the site looking at complete mess when I got there on the Sunday. I keep hearing from friends that Leeds is much better, although last year the setlist was better from Radiohead at Reading than it was at Leeds but not sure if that's the same with other bands. Reading isn't the nicest place in the world either, no offence if you live there but I just didn't like it especially walking round at night. The only other difference I know of is that Reading's filmed and Leeds isn't, as far as I know. Anyway may try Leeds this year depending on how easy it is for me to get there and what days certain bands fall on.

Edited March 21, 2010 by Museaholic

[Budweiser]

Ones in a town and ones not.

[purplehaze81]

Been to both and much prefer Leeds, mainly for all the reasons people have already mentioned. The people at Leeds are much more friendly and there was too much mayhem at Reading. Although I do think the layout of the arena is better at Reading, I got crushed at Leeds last year at Kings of Leon which wasn't fun.

[Dan R]

I'm having the same dilemma but the other way round, i've been to Reading and thought the atmosphere was pretty shit tbh as well as the site looking at complete mess when I got there on the Sunday. I keep hearing from friends that Leeds is much better, although last year the setlist was better from Radiohead at Reading than it was at Leeds but not sure if that's the same with other bands. Reading isn't the nicest place in the world either, no offence if you live there but I just didn't like it especially walking round at night. The only other difference I know of is that Reading's filmed and Leeds isn't, as far as I know. Anyway may try Leeds this year depending on how easy it is for me to get there and what days certain bands fall on.

[VCK]

The only reason there's late night entertainment at Leeds is because Leeds had trouble with the rioting long before Reading developed it's own problems, as a sort of "deterrent". It won't be long before Reading gets it's own campsite DJs etc.

To answer the OP's question: Glastonbury shits on both.

[lharris92]

The only reason there's late night entertainment at Leeds is because Leeds had trouble with the rioting long before Reading developed it's own problems, as a sort of "deterrent". It won't be long before Reading gets it's own campsite DJs etc.

To answer the OP's question: Glastonbury shits on both.

[anx]

haha

i consider myself impartial but leeds has northerners and reading has southerners I do believe reading is better but leeds has way better campsite entertainment from what I've heard and to head to reading most people have to head through london which aint f**ken cheap!

have not decided which i'll goto this year, (my reading friends from last year might have something to say about that) but from glasgow leeds does seem to be in the lead.

[astrobaby]

as each year goes by i think the numbers of chavs increase at leeds massively. they dont go for the music they go for the party side of things.there was a group camped nxt to us last year who where, from what i over heard, slashing peoples tents for the fun of it. :S

not sure how badly reading attracts these types of people...

agree with the fact that leeds has good night entertainment....aint been to reading though so cant compare.

[disco-dani]

we met a few nut cases and drug dealers last year (at leeds) but even so, they were all really nice and polite and made me soup haha

but ive heard people at reading can be really up them selves and not help anyone.

leeds deff sounds like the better deal and it is like 250 miles closer to me so would cost much less petrol, but for some reasons my mates are set on going to reading... and i dont really want to go to leeds with just me and my 2 other mates!

Edited March 22, 2010 by disco-dani