Well overall that was....

[Hart Attack]

Reading 2012 was a good, if slightly frustrating festival for me. I was ill last week and hadn't fully recovered, so I felt pretty exhausted for most of the time and struggled to get into the festival spirit and feel much enthusiasm at times. Usually I spend the nights at festivals drinking and wandering around the campsite meeting strangers until it starts to get light, but this time I went to bed relatively early on three out of four nights. I didn't really get into a lot of the music either, for various reasons.

My friends came only for Friday and I spent practically all day getting drunk and having a laugh with them, with the bands just acting as a background soundtrack for us. I know a lot of people have this approach to festivals, but I always usually make the music my main focus so this was a very different type of day to what I'm used to. From what I saw of the bands... You Me At Six looked more comfortable on the main stage than they did in 2010, and 2011 at Sonisphere. On those occasions they seemed a bit overwhelmed by the scale, but they seem to have grown into it and have a bit more of a presence now. Deaf Havana did well and seemed to get a good reception, while Cancer Bats did a good job of getting people moving (moshing to Sabotage was a lot of fun!). Coheed and Angels were alright but forgettable. I wasn't really paying as much attention to Paramore as I'd have liked to, but had a lot of fun with my friends while they were on, and what I saw looked pretty great. The crowd were really into it as well, at least where I was standing.

The Cure were okay, although I felt their set was too long and dragged on after a while. It must have been great for the hardcore fans, but casuals and non-fans seemed to be getting bored. My friends went home after an hour or so, and I walked with them to the village to say goodbye... unfortunately it was in this ten-minute window that The Cure played Friday I'm In Love, which was one I really wanted to see. I did see Pictures Of You though, which was great. I went back to watch the rest of the set (and found that the crowd was noticeably thinner than it had been at the start, enabling me to stroll freely into the front section), but started sobering up and suddenly felt really sleepy so I decided to call it a night about half an hour before the end. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was hearing Boys Don't Cry in the distance.

I wasn't feeling great on Saturday morning... tired, run-down and in a bad mood. Things changed very suddenly though, thanks to an amazing performance from the legendary Green Day. I missed the start because I didn't think they'd be on as early as they were, but fortunately I was already dressed when I heard Welcome To Paradise coming from the NME tent so all I had to do was throw on my boots and run to the arena, and got in there as they played Murder City. I think a lot of people were caught off-guard actually; there was a mass exodus from the campsite as they were getting started. Good thing I was camped in Yellow two minutes from the arena entrance or else I wouldn't have heard them and ended up missing the whole set. I was lucky enough to get a great spot in the crowd, entering the tent from the far side and slipping through to a fairly central position in the front section. It was an amazing experience; as strong as the rumours were, it still seemed too good to be true that a stadium-filling, main stage headliner size band would play a secret set on the second stage and it was only when I was there and watching it that it suddenly became real to me. Even then I kept thinking to myself 'there's no way this is happening right now, I'll wake up in my tent in a minute and this will just be a dream'. Not only was it real, but it was over an hour long and filled with hits, rather than the twenty-minute new-material-only affair I'd been keeping my hopes down for.

I returned to the NME several hours later to check out Twin Atlantic, who looked very good and seemed to have a pretty strong crowd. Up next for me was Don Broco, although I actually had to leave during the first song as I suddenly started feeling slightly light-headed and unwell. The crowd looked really up for them though. After resting in my tent for a bit, I came back out for Enter Shikari (packed, energetic crowd) and Billy Talent (pretty much the same... and I wasn't the only one who remembered 'fuck the Kings Of Leon', which was nice). Mastodon didn't really do anything for me, but Young Guns looked pretty solid from what I saw.

Then something strange happened. I was wandering around the arena for a bit while waiting for Feeder, and feeling pretty bad. I had been tired, unwell and in low spirits for a lot of the day, and almost felt like I wanted to go home. Then I looked over to the main stage, at the time occupied by Florence & The Machine, and in that moment I was suddenly hit with this feeling of awe and wonderment. The sight of that huge stage towering over a massive crowd of roaring and cheering fans, with lights shooting up into the night sky and the band blasting their music out across the arena... it reminded me why I love festivals, and why they're so much more special than standalone gigs. I don't even like Florence, but those last ten or fifteen minutes of the set were just beautiful to me, as was Feeder opening with Feeling A Moment.

I arrived in the NME tent just five minutes before At The Drive-In started, yet the place was pretty empty. As with The Cure on the main stage the previous night, I was easily able to get to a central position in the front section... it really ought to be much more difficult to get in there for a headliner, especially one with as much hype as ATDI. Maybe it filled up a bit after I got in, but it couldn't have been more than half-full at that point. It was a good show though; I wasn't really blown away or drawn in particularly, but it was solid enough and a decent way to end the day. I'd decided by that point to leave on Sunday night rather than wait until Monday morning, so Saturday would be my final chance to go out and party through the night... however, I was again so tired that I just feel asleep once I got back to my tent.

I got most of my stuff packed up and my car loaded on Sunday morning, and got back to the arena just in time to see Pulled Apart By Horses and Band Of Skulls. Neither really did anything for me, although they both appeared more than competent and worthy of their inclusion on the main stage. Eagles Of Death Metal bored me at first, but grew on me as the set went on and by the end turned out to be rather enjoyable. The Gaslight Anthem kept the momentum going and raised my mood a little more, and by the time All Time Low hit the stage I was finally up and running in full-on festival mood for the day. A fun (as always) performance featuring a great cover of Blink-182's Dammit was followed by a much-need blast of heavy metal from Bullet For My Valentine (who really could and should have had a later and longer slot).

I caught the end of Kaiser Chiefs – who had a huge crowd, by the way, probably big enough to justify sub-headlining still – before getting into the front section for a good spot for Foo Fighters. I had to stand through The Black Keys first, but I was really starting to get tired by that point and couldn't enjoy them. Everyone else seemed to though, and the band played very well... a fairly short set though for a sub-headliner, less than an hour I think?

By the time Foo Fighters hit the stage I was exhausted, but excited enough that it didn't matter. It was an amazing performance, and along with Green Day, one of the highlights of the festival for me. Sadly I had to leave after a while to go to the toilet and get a drink, having been stood in there for over three hours by then; obviously it was a mistake to get in before Black Keys. Fortunately I managed to get to a fairly decent spot upon my return though, just catching Best Of You on my way in. Everlong was just amazing, and such a perfect way to end the night and the festival.

I packed up what was left and got out as soon as possible after the Foos ended, and got home at around 03:00. I figure it's best to go out on a high having just seen the final headliner, rather than suffer through the depressing ordeal of waking up to a half-empty campsite on Monday morning and having to pack up and leave while tired and hungover. Having had a shower and some desperately-needed sleep in a proper bed, I've thought back over the weekend and come to the conclusion that, despite not feeling well and being stuck in a bad mood for large chunks of the time, that was a great festival; probably one of the better Readings I've been to. Some really unforgettable experiences and epic moments, amazing musical performances and a hell of a lot of fun.

[Mouseboy11]

I don't know why but I always got the perception Dan Auerbach was a bit of a dick. Changed my mind yesterday, thought he was cool as fuck and he loved everyone singing along!

Edited August 27, 2012 by Mouseboy11

[Avens]

Bloody amazing. I am destroyed.

Feeder were absolutely brilliant; the atmosphere in there was incredible. Glad I stayed until the end and missed the beginning of Kasabian, who were also brilliant. Saves the Day made my ACTUAL festival, however; I know they're quite a small band etc, but I was right at the front and they played my favourite songs...ahhhh, came out of there absolutely buzzing.

Foos were obviously brilliant. Also quite impressed with Deaf Havana, who I didn't really know before Reading but I'm gonna check them out now. The atmosphere was a bit shit for Coheed which disappointed me a bit, because all the other times I've seen them it's been wonderful. I think playing early on the mainstage rather than late in a tent made them suffer a bit. I was dead near the front, yet surrounded by children going "Who is this band?" and not dancing, singing or anything. Which was a shame.

Campsite atmosphere pretty good as always; camped next to some absolute heroes from Gloucester and some of the maddest Welsh people I've ever met in my life. Absolutely brilliant.

[Chavmeisterdeluxe]

Don Broco, Bullet and Foos were the highlight for me. Enjoyed Green Day but I still think there is too much "heyyyyy oooohhhhhh"ing for my liking.

[Mouseboy11]

Who went to see Mongol Horde? Quality!

[kaosmark2]

Feeder were absolutely brilliant; the atmosphere in there was incredible. Glad I stayed until the end and missed the beginning of Kasabian, who were also brilliant. Saves the Day made my ACTUAL festival, however; I know they're quite a small band etc, but I was right at the front and they played my favourite songs...ahhhh, came out of there absolutely buzzing.

[Englishdragon]

So what did everyone think of Kasabian? Pulled it off? Worthy headliners anyway?

[Spindles]

I also watched it on TV, however not turning over after 45 minutes is probably why I thought they were so good. The bit of beatles acapella at the end alone was a quality moment that showed them to be at the top of their game right now.

[Avens]

I was fairly near the back of the tent, but it was overflowing a lot, the outside near it was packed as well. There were a lot of people wanting to see them.

Previous times they've been early afternoon on the mainstage and I thought that suited them, nice, feel-good pop tunes for a bit of a crowd singalong, but it was absolutely electric in that tent. Really surprised they played High as well, and Just The Way I'm Feeling was magnificent.

[micawber]

Who went to see Mongol Horde? Quality!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I also watched it on TV, however not turning over after 45 minutes is probably why I thought they were so good. The bit of beatles acapella at the end alone was a quality moment that showed them to be at the top of their game right now.

[micawber]

I watched all of it on tv and thought they were poor. I've seen them twice before, and they definitely let themselves down. They're the perfect type of band for R&L and other fests of the like though, due to the type of music they make now. I was embarassed if anything by the acapella at the end, Tom seems to have turned into a five year olds drawing of Liam Gallagher. I feel for Serge who has a lot of talent.

[Dan R]

Had and amazing weekend at Reading, which I tried for the first time after doing Leeds since 08.

The music was incredible all weekend. Friday highlights for me had to be Alt-J on both BBC intro and FR, was surprised at the crowd response, The Cure cos they're The Cure. Saturday started amazing with Green Day for about the best secret set you could hope for and ended on an equally good evening with Feeder and ATDI.The Sunday, Mongol Horde were brilliant, the music was awesome and was pleased they didn't play on Frank's popularity at all. The Black Keys nailed it, and Foos were everything you could ask for from a festival headliner. I also though the organisation was really good and they seemed well prepared for bad weather.

But I'll definitely being going to Leeds over Reading in the future. The friendly people were fewer and further between at Reading, and everyone just seemed to be out for themselves. Also I was shocked at how small the arena was compared to Leeds, which made it easy to get from stage to stage but was so overcrowded. We also seemed to be camped nearby so many groups of post-GCSE kids who were intent on being twats. Overheard a group next to us complaining that there was nothing to do in the daytime cos the music was shit, and were only staying to the end so they could burn their tents and the 27 chairs they were very proud of stealing. This just made me feel uneasy about going out in the evenings and leaving our tent, something Iv never had to worry about at Leeds.

[DL50]

Fucking brilliant weekend

Alt J were incredible, massively overflowed the FR stage, The Maccabees were also class

On Saturday i thought Enter Shikari, Florence + The Machine and Billy Talent were all poor. However Kasabian pulled it off, just great crowd pleasing festival music, and Azealia Banks was good, atmosphere was nuts for 212. Also got right down the front for Green Day, absolutely brilliant, one of the best front men i have ever seen, only downside was that they didn't play longer, and maybe cut back on a few of the Hey Ohs

On Sunday Bullet were good, got a great crowd surf at the end, just a shame it wasn't longer. Black Keys smashed it and Foos absolutely destroyed every other band at the festival apart from Green Day, they were always going to be the best. Caught some of the end of Justice, was pretty good, just stumbled in at the back with all the other high people that wandered in after other bands and the dancing was hilarious.

All in all it was hands down the best Reading of the past 3 years

My only beef with the whole thing is this, why the fuck didn't Green Day headline? Could have replaced the Cure on Friday and festival would have sold out so fast, people were saying apparently 60,000 extra tickets were sold when the rumours came out.

Maybe Neil has some info? Are they gonna headline next year? I fucking hope so but i'll be bored of them being rumoured for what would be the 5th year in a row

[Justiceforcedave]

Agree with the Serge bit. You can spot losers easily. Wearing sun glasses at night is one big give away. Roy Orbison excepted, of course!

[DL50]

Also forgot to mention weather was almost perfect

And i agree there were too many annoying 16 year olds that pissed me off a bit. But then again i went when i was 16 and probably acted like a complete dick as well, for many its their first festival, away from mummy and daddy and experiencing drugs, live music and the general festival atmosphere for the first time, i'm sure many of them will mature after they've been a few times

[Martino231]

Fucking brilliant weekend

Alt J were incredible, massively overflowed the FR stage, The Maccabees were also class

On Saturday i thought Enter Shikari, Florence + The Machine and Billy Talent were all poor. However Kasabian pulled it off, just great crowd pleasing festival music, and Azealia Banks was good, atmosphere was nuts for 212. Also got right down the front for Green Day, absolutely brilliant, one of the best front men i have ever seen, only downside was that they didn't play longer, and maybe cut back on a few of the Hey Ohs

On Sunday Bullet were good, got a great crowd surf at the end, just a shame it wasn't longer. Black Keys smashed it and Foos absolutely destroyed every other band at the festival apart from Green Day, they were always going to be the best. Caught some of the end of Justice, was pretty good, just stumbled in at the back with all the other high people that wandered in after other bands and the dancing was hilarious.

All in all it was hands down the best Reading of the past 3 years

My only beef with the whole thing is this, why the fuck didn't Green Day headline? Could have replaced the Cure on Friday and festival would have sold out so fast, people were saying apparently 60,000 extra tickets were sold when the rumours came out.

Maybe Neil has some info? Are they gonna headline next year? I fucking hope so but i'll be bored of them being rumoured for what would be the 5th year in a row

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I'd assume it's fairly obvious why Green Day couldn't headline after tickets had gone on sale.

[DL50]

Fair enough then if they were only booked a few weeks ago

Just thought if it was nailed on for the start they should have headlined

[Justiceforcedave]

My only beef with the whole thing is this, why the fuck didn't Green Day headline? Could have replaced the Cure on Friday and festival would have sold out so fast, people were saying apparently 60,000 extra tickets were sold when the rumours came out.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Justiceforcedave

[chriseede]

My only beef with the whole thing is this, why the fuck didn't Green Day headline? Could have replaced the Cure on Friday and festival would have sold out so fast, people were saying apparently 60,000 extra tickets were sold when the rumours came out.

[ivan]

And what can I say about the nightlife.. piccadilly party, relentless and silent disco its your fault in aching so much

Aye ! , after loads of late nights at Relentless , Oxfam and Piccadilly another long

day and the mosh pit during At The Drive In meant I had to leave Relentless early

due to shooting pain in my arm and all out exhaustion

[liam]

We also seemed to be camped nearby so many groups of post-GCSE kids who were intent on being twats. Overheard a group next to us complaining that there was nothing to do in the daytime cos the music was shit, and were only staying to the end so they could burn their tents and the 27 chairs they were very proud of stealing. This just made me feel uneasy about going out in the evenings and leaving our tent, something Iv never had to worry about at Leeds.

Edited August 27, 2012 by liam

[Mouseboy11]

Keep your receipt!

[edfirth]

Best Leeds since 2007 for me. Organisers seem to pay attention to the complaints/room for improvement from last year and it really showed. There was a lack of acts to see during the day due to the poor undercard, but all three headliners I saw were excellent (Foos, The Cure, At the Drive-In) and there were some other very good performances (Miike Snow, The Hives). Also saw Alt-J, some of Feeder, SBTRKT, OFWGKTA, Mark Lanegan, Black Keys, Joy Formidable and some of Gallows, who ranged from good to average. For me it was strange one as I saw less bands than I can ever remember at a festival, but due to other factors I really enjoyed it. Lost my phone in the pit for Odd Future which was only real down point as it made contacting people a pain on the last day, but fortunately I managed to find some of the relevant ones (At the Drive-In fans), and it was an old phone so it wasn't too much of a blow