Reading or Leeds?

[kellyter]

I am from the United States and going to cookery school in Scotland next fall while my sister studies abroad. We are coming early to do some traveling around the U.K. and Italy. We really enjoy music festivals and want to attend either Reading or Leeds and were wondering which is better? I can see the perks of being in town and the perks of being in the middle of nowhere.

Any help would be very much appreciated. I know they're probably pretty much the same, but want to make the right decision!

Edited January 11, 2012 by kellyter

[mrtourette]

Pubs will generally shut in Reading at 11pm (so before the end of the days music), there are still a few bars and clubs that are open until 4am but only one or two will be likely to let you in if you're wet and mud-splattered.

Leeds probably has a better after hours vibe due to having lots of entertainments through the night, Reading is restricted with regards to this due to the noise regulations of being in a town and also the above mentioned limited drinking opportunities out of the site after hours. However it does mean that during the day it's easier to get off the site and go food shopping and eating/drinking in pubs at Reading, and also travel in and out is easier.

I think both festivals generally have a majority of teenage attendees, I'm sure that the small amount of people who have been to both would notice a slight difference but it would just be splitting hairs. I don't think either is particularly more laid back or raucous than the other during the day (Leeds' night-time entertainment changes that at night); people from the North who go to Leeds would probably sat that Northern crowds are the best and more up for it while those who go to Reading from the South would probably say that Northern crowds are full of inbred dicks.

Reading is the original festival and is seen (unfairly) as the main one (ie it's the only one that TV coverage if filmed at) and the capacity is about 10k people more, but I also think that it's more compact. Apart from the night-time entertainment the two have pretty much all the same rules, line-ups and stalls.

[kellyter]

Pubs will generally shut in Reading at 11pm (so before the end of the days music), there are still a few bars and clubs that are open until 4am but only one or two will be likely to let you in if you're wet and mud-splattered.

Leeds probably has a better after hours vibe due to having lots of entertainments through the night, Reading is restricted with regards to this due to the noise regulations of being in a town and also the above mentioned limited drinking opportunities out of the site after hours. However it does mean that during the day it's easier to get off the site and go food shopping and eating/drinking in pubs at Reading, and also travel in and out is easier.

I think both festivals generally have a majority of teenage attendees, I'm sure that the small amount of people who have been to both would notice a slight difference but it would just be splitting hairs. I don't think either is particularly more laid back or raucous than the other during the day (Leeds' night-time entertainment changes that at night); people from the North who go to Leeds would probably sat that Northern crowds are the best and more up for it while those who go to Reading from the South would probably say that Northern crowds are full of inbred dicks.

Reading is the original festival and is seen (unfairly) as the main one (ie it's the only one that TV coverage if filmed at) and the capacity is about 10k people more, but I also think that it's more compact. Apart from the night-time entertainment the two have pretty much all the same rules, line-ups and stalls.

Edited January 9, 2012 by kellyter

[dirtymookie]

I'm going back to Reading for the 1st time since '08 and havin been at Leeds for the past 3 years. Just wonderin if anyone can tell me how much things have changed there since then. Looks like there's plenty of new stuff outside the arena gates, like the JD village. Was the NME tent better being bigger? How has the sound been from main stage? It was shit in 08, especially for the killers so hopefully its improved.

Any other info would be appreciated too.

[mrtourette]

Bigger tent worked really well, although it means that it lost one of the outside screens (although that may not have been there in 2008 anyway). The sound quality is an argument you'll never get an answer to, Reading has always been a festival affected by the elements but some people are adament it's always crap whereas I've always found it depends on the band - Metallica in 2008 were the clearest and loudest band I've ever seen at a festival, but I agree that The Killers and RATM wer a bit muted. I think it also depends where you stand at Reading, which isn't an ideal situation.

Not much else has changed to be honest, the layout is pretty much the same apart from possibly the FR tent (can't remember when that was moved slightly). Also no fires on the Sunday after 8pm. Transport links are proably better as well.

Edited January 9, 2012 by mrtourette

[dirtymookie]

Yeah there's the obvious reasons for the sound levels with it being so close to the town, just hope they find some way acoustically around it. Metallica were unbelievably clear that year, don't know how true it is but I heard that they paid the fine up front for breaking the sound level rules before they had even gone onstage!

Hope the FR stage hasn't moved to much, I loved where it was then, sort of felt like a separate little festival down behind those few trees.

[eFestivals]

don't know how true it is but I heard that they paid the fine up front for breaking the sound level rules before they had even gone onstage!

if that really happened - which I very strongly doubt - then it's a one-off thing that the fest could never repeat.

Any licenced event that deliberately colludes with breeching its licence isn't going to get to keep that licence.

[Dukeeyyy]

I am from the United States and going to cookery school in Scotland next fall while my sister studies abroad. We are coming early to do some traveling around the U.K. and Italy. We really enjoy music festivals and want to attend either Reading or Leeds and were wondering which is better?

What time do pubs close in Reading, in the U.S. if differs from state to state? How early do they shut down the partying at Reading? What are the overall ages at both (I've read there are tons of teenagers at Reading)? Is the overall vibe pretty much the same at both? Is one more laid back and down to earth than the other? I can see the perks of being in town and the perks of being in the middle of nowhere.

Sorry, this is a lot. Any help would be very much appreciated. I know they're probably pretty much the same, but want to make the right decision!

[gazza_20]

Bigger tent worked really well, although it means that it lost one of the outside screens (although that may not have been there in 2008 anyway). The sound quality is an argument you'll never get an answer to, Reading has always been a festival affected by the elements but some people are adament it's always crap whereas I've always found it depends on the band - Metallica in 2008 were the clearest and loudest band I've ever seen at a festival, but I agree that The Killers and RATM wer a bit muted. I think it also depends where you stand at Reading, which isn't an ideal situation.

Not much else has changed to be honest, the layout is pretty much the same apart from possibly the FR tent (can't remember when that was moved slightly). Also no fires on the Sunday after 8pm. Transport links are proably better as well.

[mrtourette]

Hope the FR stage hasn't moved to much, I loved where it was then, sort of felt like a separate little festival down behind those few trees.

[kellyter]

In my opinion, i have been at Leeds since 2003, and since it is closer to Scotland I would go to Leeds personally, never been to Reading but it has the history, but yes, i would go to Leeds if i was you.

Edited January 10, 2012 by kellyter

[Dan R]

I've only been to Leeds so not greatly informed on the difference but occasionally if bands vary their setlists between the fests Reading might get a slightly more 'hit-friendly' setlist due to the tv coverage, while Leeds can maybe get a few, less played songs ( I'm thinking mainly of Radiohead in 09 with this)

[rexclark]

I've been to both, Reading once and Leeds twelve. I must say I prefer Leeds. Afterhours entertainment that goes on till 6am. I also love the fact that Leeds is the fact it's in the middle of nowhere rather than in the middle of a city centre, If I go to a festival I like to be away from everything. The downside to that is that it's harder to get to a supermarket but there is a supermarket onsite even if it is a bit expensive.

[kellyter]

I've only been to Leeds so not greatly informed on the difference but occasionally if bands vary their setlists between the fests Reading might get a slightly more 'hit-friendly' setlist due to the tv coverage, while Leeds can maybe get a few, less played songs ( I'm thinking mainly of Radiohead in 09 with this)

[2rare2die]

I've been to both, Reading once and Leeds twelve. I must say I prefer Leeds. Afterhours entertainment that goes on till 6am. I also love the fact that Leeds is the fact it's in the middle of nowhere rather than in the middle of a city centre, If I go to a festival I like to be away from everything. The downside to that is that it's harder to get to a supermarket but there is a supermarket onsite even if it is a bit expensive.

Edited January 11, 2012 by 2rare2die

[mrtourette]

If you want to party then Leeds is probably the better option.

[Benj]

There is plenty of after hours entertainment available at Reading both at the site and in the town centre, so I wouldn't let that aspect sway your decision

From recent reports there it seems there is very little difference between the two sites in regards to overall experience, bar the fact that Reading is based in the town, so can provide all the amenities that that offers, whilst Leeds is based out in the countryside, so will be more of a getaway experience

If neither of those factors sway you either way, then I would simply choose via convenience, if you're going to be based in the south/ middle of the country I'd choose Reading, if north of that Leeds.

The one other thing to consider If you are car less Reading is the easier option due to the location

Coming for the US to do a cooking class on the UK is very bizarre!

Edit- just noticed the Scotland thing making the cooking thing even more weird, deep fried bars bars and pizza on the agenda! If you're based there going to reading may be the better option as Reading is close to Heathrow airport and also London and Oxford if you wanted to extend the weekend to do some site seeing too

Edited January 11, 2012 by Benj

[mrtourette]

I think plenty is a stretch, especially when compared to Leeds. Yeah there are a few bars and a silent disco but Leeds does have more. Of course there's always sitting around the campfire until the early hours which everyone does, but I mean organised entertainment.

[kellyter]

I am constantly being told just how bizarre it is that I've chosen Scotland to study cookery haha, however I won't just be learning traditional Scotish foods! And I'm graduationg from a 4 year university in May so attending another 2 or 4 year program or spending $25,000 on a 4 month program here just doesn't appeal to me at all. And I can can travel all over Europe while I'm there, major factor I must admit.

Anyhow, I really don't need to party constantly and realize I am most likely overanalyzing this decision, especially since my sister and I are both pretty laid back and would probably be happy with pretty much anything, except an awful line up of course. However all this feedback is really interesting and helpful! I suppose I have till March to be swayed one way or the other. Thanks for the answers!

[ivan]

I have been to both and Leed has more of a festival vibe as it is out in the countryside not in a city !

[Benj]

I think plenty is a stretch, especially when compared to Leeds. Yeah there are a few bars and a silent disco but Leeds does have more. Of course there's always sitting around the campfire until the early hours which everyone does, but I mean organised entertainment.

[mrtourette]

To be fair I didn't think of the Casino, I was thinking of the Purple Turtle and the After Dark. As someone who has walked through town after the festival every night for the last few years I didn't think general festival goers would want to go to (or be generally welcome in) the casinos or strip clubs that are open really late. I guess there's O'Neil's in town as well but the other bars along that street all have dress codes and won't let in scruffy and dirty festival urchins

But yeah I guess there are more options than I originaly thought but given that it'd be midnight by the time anyone got into town and not all the places are festival-friendly at that time time of night (but they'd welcome you in with open arms for breakfast in the morning) the options aren't as plentiful as if you were on a normal night out.

Edited January 12, 2012 by mrtourette

[rexclark]

Well in my opinion i'd rather have afterhours entertainment onsite that I don't have to pay into and can bring my own drink. I also enjoy the fact that alot of the afterhours stuff at Leeds is outdoors. The fact it goes on till 6am is a big bonus as well.

[jump]

To be fair I didn't think of the Casino, I was thinking of the Purple Turtle and the After Dark. As someone who has walked through town after the festival every night for the last few years I didn't think general festival goers would want to go to (or be generally welcome in) the casinos or strip clubs that are open really late. I guess there's O'Neil's in town as well but the other bars along that street all have dress codes and won't let in scruffy and dirty festival urchins

But yeah I guess there are more options than I originaly thought but given that it'd be midnight by the time anyone got into town and not all the places are festival-friendly at that time time of night (but they'd welcome you in with open arms for breakfast in the morning) the options aren't as plentiful as if you were on a normal night out.

[rug568]

The greatest disappointment for me was the after hours entertainment at Reading. Being under-age for the past two years means there isn't really much to do apart from the silent discos which are a bit crap.