3
3Chordwonder
Guest
OK guys and girls, following my popular review of the 2007 festival, and my subsequent non-attendance last year, it's time to revive the format for 2009.
This is an account of my 3 days and everything I saw.
I think 2009 (my 12th Reading) will go down as the most unique yet - very little on the main stage to interest me and lots of new stuff on the smaller tents...here goes.
Danananaykroyd - NME tent First up, my friendPpaul recommends we check this bunch out in the NME tent. I have to say at this point that the organisers have really improved this venue - the NME tent is now way back from everything else and seems to have a much improved PA and video screens. The band are a lively bunch of youngsters who serve it punky-thrash pop in spades. By now, beer number three (it's 1200) has begun to kick in and they are quite pleasant on the ear - if somewhat unpronouncable in name...
Ghost Of A Thousand (Lock-up) Onto the tiny Lock-Up for the first time and we check out GOAT from the US. They are a crackling lot who's brand of punk-metal is quite an eye-opener. I'd give them a 7 out of 10.
Jack's Mannequin - Festival Republic Stage A new band for me, although I had heard them briefly on a compilation CD> If you like Jimmy Eat World, you'l love JM. Piano led emo-pop and the amount of young girlies here certainly means we may hear more from them down the line and maybe on a bigger stage next year.
Airbourne Toxic Event - NME Stage Inspite of having probably the worst name in the history of bad band names, I really like them. A little like Arcade Fire, which is absolutely no bad thing and on my list of albums to buy this week. Memorable tunes - check out "Gasoline"
The Aggrolites - Lock-Up For me, my first "must see" band of the weekend. Californian reggae lads who have collaborated with many of my favourite artists over the years (Tim Armstrong, Rancid..) By now, my friends and I are loaded with many lagers and proceed to skank around the tent for 40 minutes of reggae-ska heaven...wonderful, wonderful!
Leftover Crack/Bouncing Souls - Lock-Up We stick around for more punk carnage and the legendary Leftover Crack. They have a track called "Set Fire To Someone In Authority"...'nuff said. They are quickly followed by another veteran punk crew in Bouncing Souls. They are a little more accessable than the previous band and we watch half of the set before a very quick trip outside...
Placebo - Main Stage Our only trip here today to catch the last 20 mins of Placebo. We get "Special K" "Taste In Men" and a few other top singles. they maybe be real veterans but on thier day, they are a cracking live band. Glad I caught a slice of them.
Anti-Flag - Lock-Up Finally, I wend my way back to the dust-bowl of the Lock-Up for the awesome sounds of Pittsburgh's Anti-Flag. If punk rock, with politically charged lyrics is your bag, AF are your dream! Now somewhat cheerier than they were 2 years ago when I saw them (maybe because Obama has now stopped them writing anti-Bush rants!) they tear through all the classics I want to hear. They also have the best named front man today in Justin Sane. Drunk and exausted I head back to my bed and prepare for day two...
Lunch time...back later with Saturday's review.
This is an account of my 3 days and everything I saw.
I think 2009 (my 12th Reading) will go down as the most unique yet - very little on the main stage to interest me and lots of new stuff on the smaller tents...here goes.
Danananaykroyd - NME tent First up, my friendPpaul recommends we check this bunch out in the NME tent. I have to say at this point that the organisers have really improved this venue - the NME tent is now way back from everything else and seems to have a much improved PA and video screens. The band are a lively bunch of youngsters who serve it punky-thrash pop in spades. By now, beer number three (it's 1200) has begun to kick in and they are quite pleasant on the ear - if somewhat unpronouncable in name...
Ghost Of A Thousand (Lock-up) Onto the tiny Lock-Up for the first time and we check out GOAT from the US. They are a crackling lot who's brand of punk-metal is quite an eye-opener. I'd give them a 7 out of 10.
Jack's Mannequin - Festival Republic Stage A new band for me, although I had heard them briefly on a compilation CD> If you like Jimmy Eat World, you'l love JM. Piano led emo-pop and the amount of young girlies here certainly means we may hear more from them down the line and maybe on a bigger stage next year.
Airbourne Toxic Event - NME Stage Inspite of having probably the worst name in the history of bad band names, I really like them. A little like Arcade Fire, which is absolutely no bad thing and on my list of albums to buy this week. Memorable tunes - check out "Gasoline"
The Aggrolites - Lock-Up For me, my first "must see" band of the weekend. Californian reggae lads who have collaborated with many of my favourite artists over the years (Tim Armstrong, Rancid..) By now, my friends and I are loaded with many lagers and proceed to skank around the tent for 40 minutes of reggae-ska heaven...wonderful, wonderful!
Leftover Crack/Bouncing Souls - Lock-Up We stick around for more punk carnage and the legendary Leftover Crack. They have a track called "Set Fire To Someone In Authority"...'nuff said. They are quickly followed by another veteran punk crew in Bouncing Souls. They are a little more accessable than the previous band and we watch half of the set before a very quick trip outside...
Placebo - Main Stage Our only trip here today to catch the last 20 mins of Placebo. We get "Special K" "Taste In Men" and a few other top singles. they maybe be real veterans but on thier day, they are a cracking live band. Glad I caught a slice of them.
Anti-Flag - Lock-Up Finally, I wend my way back to the dust-bowl of the Lock-Up for the awesome sounds of Pittsburgh's Anti-Flag. If punk rock, with politically charged lyrics is your bag, AF are your dream! Now somewhat cheerier than they were 2 years ago when I saw them (maybe because Obama has now stopped them writing anti-Bush rants!) they tear through all the classics I want to hear. They also have the best named front man today in Justin Sane. Drunk and exausted I head back to my bed and prepare for day two...
Lunch time...back later with Saturday's review.