Preview: Reading and Leeds 2009

We’ve had Glastonbury, T in the Park, Wireless, Isle of Wight, hundreds of smaller festivals, and it’s almost the end of the summer. That can only mean one thing – it’s time for the Granddaddy of all UK music festivals (well, probably second to Glasto), the Reading and Leeds Festivals.
The dual site, three day festival sees almost 200 artists grace the sites in Reading’s Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park in Leeds this bank holiday weekend, 28th – 30th August. Kings of Leon (pictured right), Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead are the headliners accross the weekend, with a whole host of ace bands playing throughout the weekend.
To be honest there is so much good stuff it’s hard to reccomend one particular – there is so much quality stuff I’d be running between the stages like a loon if I was going. Radiohead’s set is set to be amazing, with it being one of their few shows this year. Florence and the Machine, The Gossip and Glasvegas are set to continue their climbs to fame, whilst Marmaduke Duke headline the festival Republic stage on Friday in Reading and Sunday in Leeds. Frank Turner is most likely to provide one of the sing along moments of the weekend on the Radio 1 / NME stage, Friendly Fires the random dance party moment, whilst there are plenty of opportunities for your average 14 year old emo kid with a spot of makeup with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Alexisonfire, AFI and You Me At Six all playing over the course of the weekend.
If the weather keeps on like it has been this past few weeks it looks set to be a pretty classic weekend in Reading and Leeds history. Tickets needless to say sold out in super-quick time, and there have been the usual hell of scams and touts trying their luck. Basically, if you haven’t got your ticket yet you’re probably not going, unless you can shack up with one of the bands or happen to win a competition. Either way, the BBC is doing their usual amazing coverage on Radio 1, BBC Three and the Red Button, so you really have no excuse for not catching some ace live music.
Leave Your Response