Ten best peformances you've seen at R/L?

[DaveElNino]

1. Radiohead - Reading 2009 - Main Stage

A set that just seemed to work. I was exhausted, my voice was wrecked, so Radiohead were the perfect band to finish the weekend.

2. Nine Inch Nails - Reading 2007 - Main Stage

A great light and stage show, that then finished with the most emotional performance I've seen with Hurt which couldn't even be spoiled by Pumpkins fans rushing forward thinking the set had finished.

3. Arcade Fire - Leeds 2005 - Radio 1 Stage

From a large number of the crowd piling forward after Hot Hot Heat, to them setting up their own instruments, to leaving the crowd in a daze and ambling round the main stage field while KoL played this was amazing. At the time I thought I'd never see a better festival performance, though I've gladly been proved wrong.

4. Brand New - Reading 2007 - Radio 1 Stage

They played a total of one song that wasn't on The Devil And God... and it was an utterly amazing performance. One of those shows that did just leave me on a massive high after it.

5. Muse - Leeds 2006 - Main Stage

The rain. The smell. The heat from the flames in Take A Bow. I know Muse were amazing, but it was more the full main stage experience that makes this stand out. It was also a great way to finish what had mostly been a disappointing weekend.

6. Rage Against the Machine - Reading 2008 - Main Stage

Just edging out Metallica in the same year, and solely for the complete high I was on after the gig. I spent the whole set in the center about 6 or 7 people from the barrier where there was just such a hugely positive atmosphere with everyone there completely up for it.

7. Metallica - Reading 2008/Leeds 2003 - Main Stage

There's little to choose between the two performances - both were Metallica doing what they do best.

8. Faith No More - Reading 2009 - Radio 1 Stage

With Billy Talent on the Lock-Up and KoL on the Main Stage this was a tough decision, but given their performance, definitely the right one.

9. The Hold Steady - Reading 2007 - Carling Stage

I'd wanted to see them all weekend, but after NIN was in two-minds over seeing them. Glad I did as their brought me right back up on a high after Hurt and helped make that Sunday one of the best days of my life.

10. Arcade Fire - Reading 2007 - Main Stage

One of their not-so-amazing performances, but that it still ranks in the top 10 R/L sets I've seen istestament to their brilliance as a live act.

[Budweiser]

10) Goldfinger 08 - Didnt know any of their stuff but was dragged along to watch them. So glad i was, how amazing was the set.. the whole crowd didnt stand still for 1 second.

9) Gallows 08 - Great set, the whole crowd was involved and the last song they did i think the whole tent was just one massive pit. excellent stuff.

Smashing pumpkins 07 - Lovely way to finish of my festival that year, seeing they're one of my favourite bands. Absolutely loved every minute, especially the piano before Tonight Tonight.

7) Foo Fighters 05 - Again, just your typical Foo Fighters, amazing!

6) Greenday 04 - Couldn't even hear the lead singer through the crowd!

5) Tenacious D 08 - Amazing set, humour and pure brilliance from Jack Black. Singalong to Tribute was epic and the song he made about the train.

4) System of a Down 01 - Best set i've seen by them, so much energy and crowd interaction.

3) Alexisonfire 09 08 - The set on mainstage in 08 was epic, and then that was topped of by their tent performance in 09. Truely epic!

2) Deftones 00 - What can i say? So good i nearly cried lol

1) Metallica 08 - I think my nan would have enjoyed that set tbh. 10/10

Edited April 9, 2010 by Budweiser

[henduil]

Not in order but all amazing. If i had to pick a best it would be Muse 2006

1) Interpol 2003, in the nme tent it was so atmospheric and sounded amazing!

2) Soad 2003 - my favourite band at the time so will always remember it

3) AfI 2003 - amazing! was good last year aswell but not as good as 2003. 17 and jumping about the nme tent was great.

4) 22-20s 2004 - loved it. Half empty tent but still a good set.

5)Muse 2006 - Pouring it down and soaking wet but totally immense.

6) Arcade Fire 2005 - they were good on main stage in 2007 but think 2005 they were just a bit better. better atmosphere in the tent. (oops got years mixed up b4)

7) Radiohead 2009 - didnt expect much as not a huge fan but totally blown away. Amazing.

The Killers 2008 - great singalong.

9) Echo and the bunnymen 2005 - just an ace band.

10) hooks for hands (kaiser chiefs) 2007 - great surprise. had just seen turbofruits and thought id stay for the next band who i'd never heard of and turned out to be KC. at the time i was a massive fan and that was bloody ace.

Edited April 9, 2010 by henduil

[cally8793]

Only been in 2009, but from that 1 year....

1) Anti-Flag - 2nd last band of the weekend. Was expecting a good show, but nothing as brilliant as what I experienced. Glad I missed Kings of Leon and Faith No More tbh...

2) New Found Glory - nostalgic pop-punk at its best. Got the crowd going brilliantly

3) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Thought they were absolutely brilliant, was going through a massive addiction to them at the time, and the acoustic version of Maps was beautiful

4) Them Crooked Vultures - only saw the end of their set, but due to the fact it was John Paul Jones, Josh Homme and Dave Grohl on the same stage made it absolutely perfect

5) Enter Shikari - first band of the weekend I massively enjoyed, the crowd went insane!

6) Alexisonfire - caught the lead singer's shoe. Need I say more?

7) Billy Talent - Didn't live up to Anti-Flag's high standards but I had a f**king good time

Eagles of Death Metal - Just brilliant.

9) The Prodigy - wish I went further forward, sound wasn't very good further away

10) Arctic Monkeys - I don't think they were as bad as everyone else seems to think, I quite enjoyed their set, but I did get bored towards the end...

[charley]

Cant remember all the years, it is all too long ago...

Wonder Stuff '92.

Blur Headlining tent about 93 touring Modern life is rubbish.

Kingmaker with the frisbees mainstage.

Dance Hall Crashers in Vans Warped tent either year both great.

Compulsion in the tent. 96?

EAT twice in a weekend about 94 when Radiohead ponced out of headlining the tent.

Muse with the lightning and mad storm.

Primal Scream headlining 94?

Rage first time about 93?

China Drum first band on mainstage about 95

[sloan85]

Metallica 08

RATM 08

Tenacious D 08

Pearl Jam 06

Mylo 06

The Killers 05

Foo Fighters 05

NOFX 05

Greenday 04

The Hives 04

[Vieuphoria]

1_ Radiohead (2009)

2_ Nine Inch Nails (2007)

3_ Manic Street Preachers (2008)

4_ Faith No More (2009)

5_ Be Your Own Pet (2008)

6_ Soulsavers (2009)

7_ Placebo (2009)

8_ The Smashing Pumpkins (2007)

9_ Rage Against The Machine (2008)

10_ Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2009)

[MJMilz14]

In date order, as some of them I just couldn't seperate (Attended 2004, and every one since 2006)

Green Day (2004) Sunday Main Stage

My first Reading, and for those who aren't fans of American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown, perhaps the last great Green Day set? With the Rasmus and 50 Cent having gone off early due to bottling earlier in the day, they came on early and absolutley crowned my first Reading. For a first timer, I honestly can't think of a better line to end on than "It' something unpredictable, but in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life". Reading to a tee. Perfection.

Feeder (2006) Saturday Main Stage

In the middle of a lovely sunny day, packed full of bands I wanted to see, Feeder came on and absolutley tore the place down with a Greatest Hits packed set and a crazy crowd. Pure Joy.

Muse (2006) Saturday Main Stage

My first Muse gig. Id heard they were good live, but nothing could have prepared me for how good it was. Had me in absolute awe.

Cajun Dance Party (2007) Friday Carling Tent

In 2008 in the NME tent they were decent, and I enjoyed it, but personally it just didn't compare to the 2007 Carling Tent set which was just utter mayhem. At the time I truely believed they were destined to be the next big thing... future main stage headliners I thought. Alas it was never to be, but perhaps they might have been had they carried on doing gigs like that!

NB: It seems no video of the 2007 set exists on youtube, so ive just posted one from 2008, which wasn't half as good.

Nine Inch Nails (2007) Sunday Main Stage

For a band I didn't know a great deal about (Other than they had written Hurt, and did that song about f**king like an animal) and wasn't even that fussed about seeing, they were just incredible. Everyone waxes lyrical about this set, and it's so justified. Just sensational.

Rage Against The Machine (2008) Friday Main Stage

The most anticipated set ever? Probably. Justfied? Definantly. Nothing fancy, just pure awesome. I remember feeling total excstasy as well at the end when I suddenly realised that I had been pushed from quite far back right to the barrier (id never got there for a headliner before). Mental!

Metallica (2008) Sunday Main Stage

I was shattered from a long weekend, and wasn't even sure I could be bothered to hang around for the last band of the weekend. Boy did they wake me up! Sensational.

Kaiser Chiefs (2009) Friday Main Stage

Im glad im not the only one that seems to be including this. Ive seen the Kaisers plenty before. The first time they were brilliant and put on such a great show. The second time was at Reading 2006, where they were good but... just didn't have quite the same zing as before. Wierdly I didn't even really know they were playing. I hadn't studied the lineup that much and had just totally forgot they were playing untill I looked at my lanyard that day to see who I wanted to see, and was like "ohhh the Kaisers, didn't even realise they were on". What followed totally eclipsed the 2006 show. No there not musical geniuses and write fairly generic songs, but there fun and catchy as hell, and this set was so much fun. The set that 2006 should have been

Oddly there seem to be no pro-shot videos of the set on youtube at all, despite the whole thing being broadcast on the BBC.

The Prodigy (2009) Saturday Main Stage

What a day this was! My other love (other than live music) is Nottingham Forest FC. The lineup throughout the day just didnt interest me that much that day, apart from the top couple of bands of the night, and Forest were at home to fierce rivals Derby that day. So in a moment of madness, me and a fellow Forest supporter decided to buy both Reading tickets and tickets to this match, and so on saturday morning I was up at 8am and walking towards the car. We drove to Nottingham for the match (which thankfully was an early kickoff), won a great game 3-2, drove back to Reading, sat around camp having a few celebratory beverages, and then headed to the arena to catch the Prodigy and the Arctic Monkeys. It was just a total party in front of the main stage, made all the sweeter for me by what had pre-ceeded the set. Fantastic set, ever better day!

and finally..

Lostprophets (2004/07/09) Sunday Main/Main/NME

Yes im cheating, but I loved them all!

[Diamond Solitaire]

Cajun Dance Party (2007) Friday Carling Tent

In 2008 in the NME tent they were decent, and I enjoyed it, but personally it just didn't compare to the 2007 Carling Tent set which was just utter mayhem. At the time I truely believed they were destined to be the next big thing... future main stage headliners I thought. Alas it was never to be, but perhaps they might have been had they carried on doing gigs like that!

NB: It seems no video of the 2007 set exists on youtube, so ive just posted one from 2008, which wasn't half as good.

[rexclark]

1.) Guns n Roses 02

2.) Pulp 00

3.) Blur 99

4.) The Strokes 01

5.) Arcade Fire 05

6.) Beck 03

7.) The Smashing Pumpkins 07

8.) The Tears 05

9.) The Cribs 08

10.) Soulwax/2 Many DJs 06

[Scoobyben]

Out of the 3 times I've been :

1) Rage against the machine, 2008

2) Billy Talent, 2009

3) Lostprophets, 2007

4) Tenacious D, 2008

5) Them Crooked Vultures, 2009

6) QOTSA, 2008

7) Gogol Bordello, 2007

Maximo Park, 2009

9) Biffy Clyro, 2007

10) Pendulum, 2008

ish

[Vieuphoria]

Nowhere near enough people had the sense to see Nine Inch Nails

[scottt]

Dont want to list 10, cause the others dont compare with these.

Faith No More (09)

Deftones (09)

Goldfinger (08)

Smashing Pumpkins (07)

Brand New (07)

Metallica (08)

AFI (09)

[MJMilz14]

You just reminded me how good this was. I remember thinking the exact same thing as I left the tent. Any idea what has happened to them?

[DaLumberjack]

Okay, this list is only going by if I had only and will only ever see the bands at Reading Festival (which in actual fact is not the case for half).

1. 1) Coheed & Cambria (2006 Lock-Up Tent)

   2) Nine Inch Nail (2007 Main Stage)

   3) Faith No More (2009 NME Tent)

   4) 65daysofstatic (2009 Festival Republic)

   5) Middle Class Rut (2009 Festival Republic)

   6) Arcade Fire (2007 Main Stage)

   7) 2 Many DJ's (2006 Dance Tent)

   Enter Shikari (2007 NME Tent)

   9) Rage Against The Machine (2008 Main Stage)

   10) The Yeah Yeah Yeah's (2009 Main Stage)

The last half of that list was really difficult to put in an order and I'm still not so sure on it...

Edited April 11, 2010 by DaLumberjack

[Desmond 48]

Leeds Fest

1) Kings Of Leon '07/'09 (Both superb)

2) Rage Against The Machine '08

3) Radiohead '09

4) Arcade Fire '07

5) Killers '08

6) Fall Out Boy '07

7) RHCP '07

The Gaslight Anthem '09

9) CSS '07

10) Them Crooked Vultures '09

Edited April 11, 2010 by Desmond 48

[Vieuphoria]

Leeds Fest

1) Kings Of Leon '07/'09 - not so great from TV, but i was at FNM... why werent you fool?

2) Rage Against The Machine '08 - Were good if but a tad underwhelming

3) Radiohead '09 - Obviously

4) Arcade Fire '07 - fair play.

5) Killers '08 - You weren't at the Manics therefore you lost this one anyway.

6) Fall Out Boy '07 - ??

7) RHCP '07 - 99.99% hated them this year... out of curiosity why do you?

The Gaslight Anthem '09 - i have no opinion

9) CSS '07 - You mean 2008 right? and why weren''t you at leasat at Metallic or The Kills?

10) Them Crooked Vultures '09 - Dreaful, Dreary, Dissapointing, Boring music.

[RichieSpenno]

Only went last year so...

Maximo Park (Friday, Main) - Missed out on them playing twice at Glasto so a fair bit of anticipation. Did not disappoint.

Eagles of Death Metal (Friday, Main) - Great atmosphere. Got me into them really.

Them Crooked Vultures (Friday, NME) - Mind-blowing performance, even if the album is a bit dull

The Prodigy (Friday, Main) - Despite sound issues, it was mental.

Radiohead (Saturday, Main) - Band of the weekend, went through every emotion I know of and then some more.

Faith No More (Sunday, NME) - So glad I saw them instead of KOL. Mind-blowing.

Fall Out Boy (Sunday, Main) - Good fun, took me back a couple of years, alcohol helped.

Placebo (Sunday, Main) - Not sure what to expect but they're really good live.

Kids in Glass Houses (Saturday, Main) - Sat down and chilled out when they played, they seemed alright

Arctic Monkeys (Friday, Main) - Slim pickings but they were good for a singalong.

[MJMilz14]

i don't really like to judge people, one must like what they like, but do you have ears.. or?

[TheSeventhOne]

Only been for the weekend once in 2008 and for the day twice in 2005 and 2009 but here we go;

1. Iron Maiden '05 - One of my favourite bands ever performing at their usual amazing standard. Dissapointed that I'm the only person including them thus far.

2. Radiohead '09 - Again, another one of my favourite bands, but it was also my first time seeing them live. It was almost hypnotic in how calm and tranquil it was. Like being in a musical coma. In a good way.

3. Deadmau5 '09 - Hardly the best dance act around at the moment by any means but everything about this performance felt right. Being very drunk combined with basically the whole tent being up for it made it one of the most memorable, fun sets I've seen in a long time.

4. Rage Against The Machine '08 - For most people in the audience it was probably their first time seeing RATM ever, including mine. The excitement before they came on was incredible and of course they could never have dissapointed.

5. Metallica '08 - They haven't put out a decent album since 1988 but they're always amazing live. Another standard performance from an ace live band.

6. Justice '08 - After about 5 minutes at Bloc Party I realised they were a rubbish live band and went to the NME tent on the off-chance this French act I'd never heard before were any good. They were.

7. The Stooges '05 - They're The Stooges. Nuff said.

8. Crystal Castles '09 - Somehow they made the NME tent feel live the biggest stadium in the world with the whole crowd raving like mentals. Great set.

9. Yeasayer '08 - I'd never heard them up until this point but I'd been told they mixed afrobeat rhythms with electronic music which sounded very appealing. They lived up to the description and more and I've been a fan ever since. Looking forward to seeing them again this year. Shame the set got cut so short.

10. Seasick Steve '08 - Struggled to think of one more considering how few acts I've seen at Reading. I'd drunk a heroic amount of alcohol early that morning and was awoken by the sound of this man. A perfect hangover cure.

[evilduck]

1. Manic Street Preachers 08

2. Placebo 09

3. Rage Against The Machine 08

4. Muse 06

5. The Prodigy 09

6. Them Crooked Vultures 09

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs 06

8. Maximo Park 06

9. Eagles Of Death Metal 09

10. We Are Scientists 08

[Neon_Ballroom]

I've only been to Reading in 1999 (Sunday), 2000, 2001, 2005 (Sunday), and 2008, so...

1. Silverchair (1999) - My second (at the time) viewing of my favourite band - their performance was awesome and the crowd was great considering they weren't that massively well known then (one of the best festival crowds I've been in I think)

2. Rage Against the Machine (2000) - a mid-afternoon slot that made their (admittedly damn good) performance in 2008 look tame.

3. Manic Street Preachers (2008) - The third or fourth time I'd seen them, all at festivals, but from the moment they started the set with (I think?) "Faster" I knew it would be good.

4. Iron Maiden (2005) - They played songs from only their first three albums. "Iron Maiden" and "Number of the Beast" are my two favourites of their offerings. It was ace!

5. Metallica (2008) - I'd seen them before but they still put on a great show. A great way to close the festival.

6. Foo Fighters (2001) - Only three albums in to their lifetime so still a good dose of songs from the first two albums in the set-list. Loads of energy and a great crowd.

7. The Offspring (1999) - When they were at their peak (from my point-of-view), on top of their game and before they lost of a bit of their edge. I seem to recall Dexter Holland beating up effigies of the Backstreet Boys with a baseball bat as well...

8. Green Day (2001) - An evening slot on the first day and the only time I've seen them. A good set-list, good crowd banter, lots of energy - what I expected really but still good fun.

9. Ash (2001) - playing on the Radio 1 stage after Green Day had finished on the main. Nothing overly special, just what you expect from Ash really - a crowd-pleasing set of their classics, but with a good dose of energy in the crowd and a good atmosphere.

10. Deftones (2000) - only really knew a few of their songs before the festival, wasn't sure what to expect but they and the crowd were great!

[neatneatneat]

Elliott Smith - 2000 - Just because I'm so glad I got to see him before he died.

Queens of the Stone Age - 2000 - Fantastic performance in the (then) Radio 1 Evening Session Tent.

Arctic Monkeys - 2000 - I know this is a bit like all the people that say they saw The Sex Pistols in the 100 Club but I was there. I just managed to squeeze into the tent and it definitely was a moment.

Pendulum - 2008 - Just mental and although I throughly loved it, I would be worried that the headline set will just be too crazy for words.

Eagles of Death Metal - Every time - Just the best band to see on a summer's afternoon.

Metallica - 2008 - I wasn't particularly a fan but went along to see them cos they were there. They totally blew me away.

Them Crooked Vultures - 2009 - Three legends on the same stage. Only spoilt by having to endure Patrick Wolfe in order to secure a good spot

Arcade Fire - 2005 - Everybody goes on about there last Main Stage performance (Where I personally thought they were a bit up there own arses) the Tent Performance in 05 was amazing though.

Pearl Jam - 2006 - I'm really surprised that not many others have gone for this one. I thought it was the single best performance I have ever seen at Reading. Eddie Vedder was truly humbled by the crowd and, as it was pretty much their first festy since Roskilde (I think although I am happy to be corrected) they did an amazing job.

Daphne & Celeste - 2000 - This one goes without saying

[Desmond 48]

i don't really like to judge people, one must like what they like, but do you have ears.. or?

[Vieuphoria]

I was joking.