Reading Festival 09
Just got back from Reading, had an amazing weekend. Saw a lot of music and surprisingly didn't see a set that I thought of as "poor" - "disappointing" was as bad as it got. Ranked from best to worst. |
| 1 |  | Radiohead
In Rainbows
10/10 Until their set I hadn't come away from a set thinking "that was 'classic'". Got 2nd row and was in absolute awe of their performance. Absolutely flawless, beautiful and mesmerising. Brilliant end to the festival. |
| 2 |  | Brand New
The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
9/10 Sounded absolutely amazing in terms of clarity though could possibly have been a little more dynamic in 'Sowing Season'. Nevertheless, an incredible set. |
| 3 |  | Streetlight Manifesto
Somewhere In The Between
9/10 Incredibly fun and energetic performance. The tent went nuts and everyone left soaked in sweat and with beaming smiles. |
| 4 |  | Faith No More
The Real Thing
9/10 While Kings Of Leon criticised and swore at their audience over on the mainstage FNM put in a slick, captivating performance in the R1 tent. Patton's vocals were amazing and the rest of the band were very tight. A pleasure to watch. |
| 5 |  | Enter Shikari
Take To The Skies
9/10 Really, really fun. Really. They didn't sound as sharp as they could have done - in particular the synths - but this was utter chaos. Massive pits going all the time, wall of death, human pyramids all combining to create epic dust storms that nearly choked you to death. |
| 6 |  | Alexisonfire
Watch Out!
9/10 Playing their second set of the day in the more intimate venue of the Lock Up tent AOF put in an intense, aggressive, yet soaringly melodic performance. Fantastic. "Fuck the main stage" indeed. |
| 7 | | Pulled Apart By Horses
Meat Balloon
9/10 Did not expect this to be so good. Very passionate and strong-sounding set from jagged, shouty alt-rock/post-hardcore types. Definitely ones to watch. |
| 8 |  | Deftones
White Pony
8/10 Started off very strongly ('Feiticeira', 'My Own Summer', 'Hexagram') but lost a bit of their power by the end. Oh well. Still, Deftones were brilliant - generally sounding really intense, yet euphorically ambient - just as you would hope for, really |
| 9 |  | New Found Glory
New Found Glory
8/10 Pretty much hit after hit after hit. Very fun show, lots of movement in the crowds, several good pits. Musically, the band were really tight and sounded great. |
| 10 |  | 65daysofstatic
One Time For All Time
8/10 Sounded way more intense live than on record. Played a captivating set whereby even if you didn't know what track was being played you would remain interested. |
| 11 |  | The Bronx
The Bronx
8/10 As always, an angry, aggressive, but fun set from The Bronx. Could have done with more older material but still really enjoyable. |
| 12 |  | Mariachi El Bronx
Mariachi El Bronx
8/10 The Bronx's side project opened up the Main Stage on Saturday and were really good. Bought a smile to practically all audience member's faces. Brilliant soundtrack to a sunny early-afternoon. |
| 13 |  | Rise Against
The Sufferer And The Witness
8/10 Very varied setlist, featuring both old and new; also a very strong set. Much preferred the older songs though. |
| 14 | | Sonic Boom Six
The Ruff Guide To Genre-Terrorism
8/10 Opened up the mainstage in superb style. Very fun set, and even my all-punk-hating friends were impressed. The rest of the crowd seemed to love it as well. Great |
| 15 |  | Frank Turner
Sleep Is For The Week
8/10 Once again, a brilliant set from Franky. The only complaint I have is that the R1 tent was perhaps a little too cavernous for him and so the singalongs weren't nearly as epic as they should have been. |
| 16 |  | Bring Me The Horizon
Suicide Season
8/10 Initially only went to see just how bad they are, but within a few songs they had changed my mind. Surprisingly good. |
| 17 |  | The Ghost Of A Thousand
This Is Where The Fight Begins
7/10 Okay, so pretty much as soon as I steeped into the pit I clashed heads with this guy and aparently he was bleeding from just above his eye. I felt like a douche, though it was an accident. Apart from that, a brilliant set. |
| 18 |  | Gaslight Anthem
The '59 Sound
7/10 One of my favourite bands, but although both times I've seen them I've enjoyed them, I've always left somewhat disappoited - not because theirs was a poor set, mind. They played very well, but the sound quality was lacking a bit, and this didn't help. |
| 19 |  | In Case Of Fire
Align The Planets
7/10 Sounded really good. All three of them can play really well, it was just a little bland, if truth be told. Just a little. |
| 20 |  | Broadway Calls
Broadway Calls
7/10 Fun pop-punk performance, they definitely do it better than most bands in the genre. |
| 21 | | Eagles Of Death Metal
Death By Sexy
7/10 Both times I've seen these guys the singer has had the biggest smile ever. Not hard to see why, their music is really upbeat and catchy. Fun set. |
| 22 |  | Chuck Ragan
Feast Or Famine
7/10 Somewhat muted set, but 'The Boat' was still awesome. New stuff sounded promising. |
| 23 | | Bloc Party
Weeend In The City
6/10 90% of my attention during their set went towards working my way forwards for Radiohead - so was worth it. However, I paid enough attention to know that they sounded pretty good. And at least everyone who was there to see Bloc Party and not join me in going forwards seemed to enjoy it. |
| 24 |  | Placebo
Battle For The Sun
6/10 Sounded very tight, but as I'm unfamilar with the newer material I couldn't get into a set based largely around 'Battle For The Sun'. The title track sounded cool but that was about it. |
| 25 | | Then Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures
5/10 Had some good riffs and some sections of their songs sounded promising, but really, was too self-indulgent. Not sure how long the last song went on for, but it felt like eternity. Also, I could hardly see a fucking thing, which didn't help me enjoy the set. Then again, it was so packed that only those over 6ft 4in (I'm 5'6") and cunts on other cunts' shoulders could see well. |
| 26 | | Alexisonfire
Old Crows/Young Cardinals
5/10 In stark contrast to their set on the Lock Up stage later on in the day, Alexis' main stage was disappointing. There were sound issues, setlist could have better and it generally sounded a little flat. |
| 27 |  | Jamie T
Panic Prevention
5/10 I reckon if you were a fan beforehand you may have enjoyed it but I just couldn't get into it. 'Sticks and Stones' sounded awesome though. |
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