2023 Festival

[Benj]

To look at another two main stage festival, here’s Mad Cool

Look at the options you have against the main stage

Overall there’s not many more bands as the duration is shorter but choice makes it look so much stronger in having an option you want to see. 

 

[Andre91]

Not again 🤦‍♂️

[gfa]

2 hours ago, Benj said:

How many without a proper second stage?

Reading is basically now worse than a day fest as half the crowd eff off back to their tents for half the day given there is nothing to see

The migration of the kids in and out of the arena last year was as epic as the Wilderbeasts of the sereghetti 🤣

I may be being hyperbolic though. Let’s just say it’s pretty much unanimous with people on here now that it is not close to the festival it once was. How can it be with less choice and 20-30% less acts booked?

 

Several of the Lollapaloozas such as Paris I believe

Let alone all the fests that straight up just have one main stage lol

Its quite funny as it really dependents how you define a proper second stage...

The dance stage has some pretty big names you clearly just don't like / know them...

Andy C did the o2 earlier this year, Sub Focus did the SSE Arena, MK also fairly big. LF System and Hedex also on the second line - two big dance names at the moment + Shy FX who is consistently popular. Sure they aren't whoever would headline the R1 tent, but these aren't small names and for most people will provide a good alternative.

Shy FX will be absolutely heaving during Imagine Dragons, as will Hedex during Foals.

[Andre91]

4 minutes ago, gfa said:

Several of the Lollapaloozas such as Paris I believe

Let alone all the fests that straight up just have one main stage lol

Its quite funny as it really dependents how you define a proper second stage...

The dance stage has some pretty big names you clearly just don't like / know them...

Andy C did the o2 earlier this year, Sub Focus did the SSE Arena, MK also fairly big. LF System and Hedex also on the second line - two big dance names at the moment + Shy FX who is consistently popular. Sure they aren't whoever would headline the R1 tent, but these aren't small names and for most people will provide a good alternative.

Shy FX will be absolutely heaving during Imagine Dragons, as will Hedex during Foals.

Andy C did THE O2!? Whaaaat. That’s mental! 
 

Sub Focus doing Wembley is equally mad to me. 

[stanh]

4 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Andy C did THE O2!? Whaaaat. That’s mental! 
 

Sub Focus doing Wembley is equally mad to me. 

Dimension is too later this year! 

[Benj]

1 hour ago, gfa said:

Several of the Lollapaloozas such as Paris I believe

Let alone all the fests that straight up just have one main stage lol

Its quite funny as it really dependents how you define a proper second stage...

The dance stage has some pretty big names you clearly just don't like / know them...

Andy C did the o2 earlier this year, Sub Focus did the SSE Arena, MK also fairly big. LF System and Hedex also on the second line - two big dance names at the moment + Shy FX who is consistently popular. Sure they aren't whoever would headline the R1 tent, but these aren't small names and for most people will provide a good alternative.

Shy FX will be absolutely heaving during Imagine Dragons, as will Hedex during Foals.

So basically you’re saying it’s not a sh*t festival if you happen to like dance music?

Only problem is with that is that the dance stage was actually dance all day pre 2020 (indeed with Andy C headlining in 2019), without the odd meme act lashed on there, leaving dance fans with nothing to do half the day…

The dance stage is not a plus, again it’s something they have lessened…

You can try and spin that Reading is not much much worse but you fail miserably every single time.  Name one thing that is actually better post 2019…

 

Re Paris Lolla…yup that is a shite festival too🤣 basically like reading but not on for as long - https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-see-in-paris/concerts-music-festival/articles/126993-lollapalooza-paris-2023-the-complete-line-up-and-concert-times#:~:text=Lollapalooza Paris is back!,Ava Max and Royal Republic!

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by Benj

[stanh]

10 minutes ago, Benj said:

So basically you’re saying it’s not a sh*t festival if you happen to like dance music?

Only problem is with that is that the dance stage was actually dance all day pre 2020 (indeed with Andy C headlining in 2019), without the odd meme act lashed on there, leaving dance fans with nothing to do half the day…

The dance stage is not a plus, again it’s something they have lessened…

You can try and spin that Reading is not much much worse but you fail miserably every single time.  Name one thing that is actually better post 2019…

I don't think that is what he is saying at all, I think everyone in here is in agreement that the second main stage has ruined a lot of things at the festival, and in return, a fair chunk of us regulars have found alternative events instead this year - we seem to just go in circles every week discussing this (granted, there is much else to discuss, until the inevitable drop outs happen).

In terms of dance fans having nothing to do for half the day, despite it being true, there is no denying they still have some very sizeable names booked below the headline acts on there - plus, if you really wanted 3 full days of dance music, Creamfields and Lost Village are literally on the same weekend, so why not go there instead? I think what they have this year will please the GCSE crowd that have got tickets, and will be busy as previously stated. 

I am in agreement about the festival as a whole being lessened since 2019, but I guess it is something that hasn't changed for this year, and will probably be something that is flagged to Festival Republic post the festival in regards to (what can be assumed to be) lowish ticket sales compared to recent years, which again though, kinda unfair comparisons with the impact of COVID backlog, and of course the Arctic f'n Monkeys. 

[Benj]

13 minutes ago, stanh said:

I don't think that is what he is saying at all, I think everyone in here is in agreement that the second main stage has ruined a lot of things at the festival, and in return, a fair chunk of us regulars have found alternative events instead this year - we seem to just go in circles every week discussing this (granted, there is much else to discuss, until the inevitable drop outs happen).

In terms of dance fans having nothing to do for half the day, despite it being true, there is no denying they still have some very sizeable names booked below the headline acts on there - plus, if you really wanted 3 full days of dance music, Creamfields and Lost Village are literally on the same weekend, so why not go there instead? I think what they have this year will please the GCSE crowd that have got tickets, and will be busy as previously stated. 

I am in agreement about the festival as a whole being lessened since 2019, but I guess it is something that hasn't changed for this year, and will probably be something that is flagged to Festival Republic post the festival in regards to (what can be assumed to be) lowish ticket sales compared to recent years, which again though, kinda unfair comparisons with the impact of COVID backlog, and of course the Arctic f'n Monkeys. 

He was trying to justify that the dance stage was a suitable alternative to a proper second stage

…Despite being there previously and having the likes of Andy C, Marshmallow and Fatboy Slim headlining it

The fact it was was highlighted as THE alternative for people, when it already existed as one of many more alterntives, says it all about how the festival no longer offers the alternatives that it once did.

 

[stanh]

35 minutes ago, Benj said:

He was trying to justify that the dance stage was a suitable alternative to a proper second stage

…Despite being there previously and having the likes of Andy C, Marshmallow and Fatboy Slim headlining it

The fact it was was highlighted as THE alternative for people, when it already existed as one of many more alterntives, says it all about how the festival no longer offers the alternatives that it once did.

 

In all fairness, it does offer a pretty strong alternative to the second stage. Loads of popular, current names on there - which will all go down very well with the average R&L attendee. 

[Benj]

22 minutes ago, stanh said:

In all fairness, it does offer a pretty strong alternative to the second stage. Loads of popular, current names on there - which will all go down very well with the average R&L attendee. 

In all fairness you’ve completely ignored the point that it always has done and more…

It offers a good alternative for those who like dance music.

Id suggest that the average Reading goer will not set foot in the tent over the weekend (unless watching whoever is this years Maddison Beer)

Yes it will be rammed for headliners and other points in the day. Again as it always was. It’s a big part in what made the festival good. It’s appeal to large groups with different musical tastes

[Andre91]

I’ve been reminiscing this morning over years gone by and I’ve ranked all of the Leeds Festivals I’ve been to:

1. 2015 
2. 2010 (Saturday) 
3. 2013 
4. 2019 
5. 2022 
6. 2014 
7. 2012 
8. 2016 
9. 2017 
10. 2018 (Saturday) 
11. 2021 
12. 2011 (Saturday) 

Edited August 1, 2023 by Andre91

[gfa]

17 hours ago, Benj said:

He was trying to justify that the dance stage was a suitable alternative to a proper second stage

…Despite being there previously and having the likes of Andy C, Marshmallow and Fatboy Slim headlining it

The fact it was was highlighted as THE alternative for people, when it already existed as one of many more alterntives, says it all about how the festival no longer offers the alternatives that it once did.

 

FBS and Marshmello were far smaller then than they are now, as was Andy C back then lol

The dance stage supplements the main stage with some big names as an alternative to the headliners - its not meant to be a full dance festival.

20 hours ago, Andre91 said:

Andy C did THE O2!? Whaaaat. That’s mental! 
 

Sub Focus doing Wembley is equally mad to me. 

Think not all of it was open to be fair but yeah pretty mad

Sub Focus pretty big - i think it may have sold out infact

[Benj]

13 minutes ago, gfa said:

FBS and Marshmello were far smaller then than they are now, as was Andy C back then lol

The dance stage supplements the main stage with some big names as an alternative to the headliners - its not meant to be a full dance festival.

 

How old were you in 2017? Marshmello and FBS were huge at the time, indeed all the talk at the time was of the Dance Headliners being much bigger than the 2nd stage headliners that year.

You are correct, Reading has never been a full dance festival, it has however, since they expanded the capacity in the early 2010s, had a full 3 day, large dance stage that has provided an appreciated schedule for the many attendees who like dance music.

Sadly along with other changes made post 2019, dance fans at Reading have less representation than before, with many slots now taken up by non dance artists...

TLDR - The dance stage is not a post 2019 improvement. Indeed it's the exact opposite for actual fans of dance music

[Benj]

4 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I’ve been reminiscing this morning over years gone by and I’ve ranked all of the Leeds Festivals I’ve been to:

1. 2015 
2. 2010 (Saturday) 
3. ......
4. 2021 
5. 2011 (Saturday) 

 

Would be better with a tier list. All would be above average and a 6/10 at worst - bar 2004 that was sh*t on many levels (3/10), mainly the weather but lineup also sucked.

1. 1998
2. 2005
3. 2002
4. 1999
5. 2003
6. 2008
7. 2019
8. 2000
9. 2006
10. 2010
11. 2011
12. 2013
13. 2016
14. 2018
15. 1997
16. 2001
17. 2012
18. 2013
19. 2014
20. 2015
21. 2007
22. 2009
23. 2021
24. 2022
25. 2004

[ArmitageRed]

Ticketmaster Resale Has Opened!

[Benj]

12 minutes ago, ArmitageRed said:

Ticketmaster Resale Has Opened!

Will be interesting to see how prices look

 

[gfa]

1 hour ago, Benj said:

How old were you in 2017? Marshmello and FBS were huge at the time, indeed all the talk at the time was of the Dance Headliners being much bigger than the 2nd stage headliners that year.

You are correct, Reading has never been a full dance festival, it has however, since they expanded the capacity in the early 2010s, had a full 3 day, large dance stage that has provided an appreciated schedule for the many attendees who like dance music.

Sadly along with other changes made post 2019, dance fans at Reading have less representation than before, with many slots now taken up by non dance artists...

TLDR - The dance stage is not a post 2019 improvement. Indeed it's the exact opposite for actual fans of dance music

Both of them are far bigger now than they are then

If your going to reading for dance you need your head checked anyway lol

even before (2019) when there was only one stage it poses a huge issue as it basically alternates between techno / house and DNB. Most people don't really like both

[Benj]

10 minutes ago, gfa said:

Both of them are far bigger now than they are then

If your going to reading for dance you need your head checked anyway lol

even before (2019) when there was only one stage it poses a huge issue as it basically alternates between techno / house and DNB. Most people don't really like both

I disagree, either way they were v strong headliners for 2017 and when you also had Flume headlining the second stage that year, it’s hard to say that the dance offering this year is better than that pre 2020

Even if you do consider them to be ‘far bigger’ than previous headliners, It in no way makes up for what was lost

As a whole, as with pretty much most all genres, for those into dance music, the dance lineup is weaker at Reading than it was in 2019

[Andre91]

23 minutes ago, Benj said:

I disagree, either way they were v strong headliners for 2017 and when you also had Flume headlining the second stage that year, it’s hard to say that the dance offering this year is better than that pre 2020

Even if you do consider them to be ‘far bigger’ than previous headliners, It in no way makes up for what was lost

As a whole, as with pretty much most all genres, for those into dance music, the dance lineup is weaker at Reading than it was in 2019

When the Dance tent first became its own 3 day thing, it was really cool. From like 2013-2016 there was always a really good mix of acts from lots of sub genres. Now it’s just House and DnB. Just like the late night entertainment at Leeds, it’s all House and DnB. On like 2/3 different stages. There’s no choice. 
 

There’s always been odd acts on the dance stage though, from rappers to indie acts etc. It’s not a new thing and I don’t think it’s any more common now than it has been at any time in the last decade. It’s never made sense. 
 

Creamfields is always going to sh*t all over R&L with dance music though. 
 

Even the 1xtra now is just full of tiny drill acts. There’s not much variation at all. And it’s empty almost all of the time. I’ve seen headliners on that stage in the last few years play to anything from ~100-500 people. 

Edited August 1, 2023 by Andre91

[Benj]

3 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

When the Dance tent first became its own 3 day thing, it was really cool. From like 2013-2016 there was always a really good mix of acts from lots of sub genres. Now it’s just House and DnB. Just like the late night entertainment at Leeds, it’s all House and DnB. On like 2/3 different stages. There’s no choice. 
 

There’s always been odd acts on the dance stage though, from rappers to indie acts etc. It’s not a new thing and I don’t think it’s any more common now than it has been at any time in the last decade. It’s never made sense. 

There was always one or two, normally first thing, I think there’s deffo more now, although I may be considering Becky Hill and Charli XCX as “dance” when I suspect many others wouldn’t 

[Andre91]

20 minutes ago, Benj said:

There was always one or two, normally first thing, I think there’s deffo more now, although I may be considering Becky Hill and Charli XCX as “dance” when I suspect many others wouldn’t 

Those both suit the dance tent just fine. 
 

I wish it could get back to a point where more of the crowd are there to actually watch lots of music. I think they could get back to it by making some tweaks in terms of what they book. Plenty of festivals that have rock and indie bands do well every year, like Truck, Tramlines, Y Not, Slam Dunk etc. I do realise there’s a tonne of festivals in the UK though so competition is a big thing. 

Anyway, here’s a suggestion of how I’d do the stages: 

Main Stage East - fine how it is. 

Main Stage West - fine how it is. 

*NME/R1 - in the current dance tent booking like it used to, a mix of indie, rock and a few dance and hip/hop acts peppered in. 

Festival Republic - staying how it is with a mix of classic FR indie sort of bands and the rock/punk, heavier acts that made up the Lockup/Pit (but not split days, mix it up). 

Dance - in the current 1xtra tent (with a greater emphasis on VARIATION). It would seem busier. 

1Xtra - in the current comedy tent (which should be binned off altogether) if they’re going to continue booking it like they currently do. Again, at least it’ll seem busier. 

BBC Introducing - fine how it is. 

* yes, @Benj, I admit defeat. Your constant campaigning has made me lament the loss of the big tent! 
 

I know it’s not as easy as spitballing ideas on an Internet forum but I am absolutely certain that R&L could become the festival of choice for way more people if they just tweaked how they book things a bit. I know countless people in their 20s and 30s who miss R&L but wouldn’t go anymore because of how it is these days. 

Edited August 1, 2023 by Andre91

[Benj]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

* yes, @Benj, I admit defeat. Your constant campaigning has made me lament the loss of the big tent! 
 

 

YEEEEEEERS!!! 🙌

My main disappointment with the new format (other than the general lack of choice), is the main thing you highlight:

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

I wish it could get back to a point where more of the crowd are there to actually watch lots of music

 

I think this is what has killed things most for me, people seem to come in now just for single acts (or indeed single songs) and then eff off for half the day back to their tents, leaving the arena and especially the tent stages half empty.

I'm not sure if this a general trend with kids today and the whole Tiktok whine that music has become memeable sound bites, as opposed to actual art, or that without the forsaid choice they have no reason to stick around with nothing they like on.

Either way, they're not going to hang about if they think they're gonna have more fun back at the tent...

 

[charlierc]

23 hours ago, Benj said:

Re Paris Lolla…yup that is a shite festival too🤣 basically like reading but not on for as long - https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-see-in-paris/concerts-music-festival/articles/126993-lollapalooza-paris-2023-the-complete-line-up-and-concert-times#:~:text=Lollapalooza Paris is back!,Ava Max and Royal Republic!

 

It is wild how far that festival has diverged in terms of sound and artist stature from what I saw when I went in 2018.

Will say that for the year I went, it had 4 stages - 2 main stages going back and forth that were right next to one another (perfect for the Killers vs Nekfeu BoTB that still makes me laugh), a smaller stage and a large tent. Though it was also comparatively cheap compared to other things and a 2 day event.

This one actually has 2 extra stages and one extra day. But zero acts I'd pay to see live so... dunno if you'd call that value.

[charlierc]

On 7/31/2023 at 2:05 PM, Benj said:

To look at another two main stage festival, here’s Mad Cool

Look at the options you have against the main stage

Overall there’s not many more bands as the duration is shorter but choice makes it look so much stronger in having an option you want to see. 

 

That Killers vs St Vincent clash at MC22 is a pain in the arse to navigate. Or at least would've been for me, and induced an irritation that it wasn't a St V vs Imagine Dragons one given I would merrily ignore ID.

Saying that I went in 2018 and seemed to recall the 2 main stages having more acts than, say, this year's, which had 3 each by the look of it.

[andyrhodes24]

4 hours ago, Benj said:

Will be interesting to see how prices look

 

I’ve bottled it and bought a Leeds weekend ticket at £218 all in on the resale, no doubt in my mind they’ll go below £200 this month