HTF headed down to one of the UK’s most legendary festivals, Reading & Leeds, this weekend to give you a run down of some of the incredible acts from this years event. Did the Friday give us that ‘Friday Feeling?’ Let’s find out!
Source: Jemma DoddGerard Way – NME/Radio 1 – Reading – 3/5
Starting off this years proceedings was none other than former My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way with his, global debut. Well, not quite. He played in Portsmouth the evening before. Either way it was a first chance for most people to catch a glimpse of what he had to offer and, as expected, My Chemical Romance fans were out in their masses. Sounding a points like an almost emo version of The Strokes, Gerard seems to have moved into a completely new territory and although the crowd lapped it up, it did almost feel like he could have played anything and they would have approved. Not a bad performance by any means but I feel we still need a bit of convincing of whether this solo venture if going to really stand the test of time
Chris Hines
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Credit: Official FacebookYoung Guns – Main Stage – Leeds – 3/5
The sun is beating down as Young Guns take to the stage. It’s two years since they were last here and the crowd has certainly grown in that time. The constant years of touring and supporting heavyweights has taught the band a lot on how to hold a crowds attention and make them feel special, and as the band deliver a set of old and new and the crowd lap it up. A solid set and, by the looks on many a young girls face, these are their individual headliners today.
Mikey Baird
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Source:PromoCrossfaith – Main Stage – Reading – 4/5
Japans finest Crossfaith took Reading by the horns and then kicked the shit out of it. With pummeling breakdowns, electronic blasts and front man Ken commanding the crowd at every opportunity, Crossfaith proved why they are fast becoming one of the most exciting metal bands on the scene. With the rise of fellow Japanese band Babymetal recently it is really starting to look like a Japanese take over is on the way. Be prepared!
Chris Hines
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Source: PromoPaparoach – Main Stage – Leeds – 4/5
If ever a band is going to give you that festival buzz it’s Paparoach. First coming to prominence in the Nu-Metal days they were here today to prove a point; to show a band has the ability to evolve and are more than just a nostalgia act. Hitting the stage bar like a pack of excitable puppies, it’s a true greatest hits set as they show their pedigree in a short but killer set. Frontman Jacoby Shadixx delivers a first class performance and as the final notes of ‘Last Resort’ ring out, the band have more than proved why they survived the NU Metal years.
Mikey Baird
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Source: Jemma DoddNeck Deep – Lock Up Stage – Leeds – 3/5
We’ve always believed the Lock Up stage should be larger and it shows as Welsh five piece, Neck Deep, take to an over capacity stage with the crowd spilling out back to the burger vans . The crowd soak in the energy as the band pour out through the entirety of their 30 minute set and we see the days first wave of crowd surfers getting the security earning their wage. Overcoming some early technical problems Neck Deep still deliver a set of hardcore infused pop punk goodness.
Mikey Baird
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Source: PromoThe Flatliners – Lock Up Stage – Leeds – 4/5
Although the crowd depletes somewhat for The Flatliners it takes nothing away from the American bands blue collar punk rock sound. With a sound similar to The Gaslight Anthem, they deliver a set that oozes passion and an honesty that is infectious to all in attendance. You know a band has that something special when you see complete strangers in the audience coming together arm in arm with smiles painted across their faces. A true feel good moment!
Mikey Baird
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Source: PromoEnter Shikari – Main Stage – Reading – 4/5
It’s hard to belief Enter Shikari have now been a band for 10 years. From small sweaty venues on the ‘toilet circuit’, to the heights of todays main stage, they have proved themselves time and time again why they are one of the UK’s hardest working, and game-changing, bands. With a high energy show as always, opening with the intense one minute twenty-three that is ‘The Paddington Frisk’, it more than set the scene for what was to come, and later as lead vocalist Rou took the time unite us all with a speech about equality, it wasn’t long before ‘Sorry Your Not A Winner’ bought the crowd together in another way as bodies united as pits formed left-right and centre. With Rob informing us earlier today they are finishing the mix on the new album, could we be seeing the band even higher up the main stage next year? Place your bets!
Chris Hines
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesP Money – 1 Xtra – Reading – 3/5
Following the disappointment of Lord Of The Mics clash P Money had a chance to prove to the thousands of Grime fans at 1 Xtra’s tent why he should be recognised as a Grime great. The mix between old and new material was received well but it was noticeable that people responded to the Dubstep P Money more than the more current material he performed. The crowd didn’t care which P Money tune was on as the constant mosh circles repeatedly made room for every drop and bar of fire P sprayed. Ending on big Dubstep anthems that P had remixed in the pass like Flux Pavilions ‘Bass Canon’ reinstated MC knowing his core fans come from another genre, however fans of the Grime genre were not disappointed with the energy flow and general of P Money.
Josh Pratt
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Source: Jemma DoddEvery Time I Die – The Lockup – Leeds – 5/5
One band you can always guarantee to put on a hell of a show is Every Time I Die and today they simply dominate. Dipping into their impressive back catalogue, the band tear through classics like ‘The New Black’ and ‘We’rewolf’, as well as choice cuts from their latest, and frankly amazing, album Parts Unknown.
The crowd greets each song like an old friend as circle pits explode throughout the tent. Frontman Keith Buckley is on top form literally spitting out his lyrics. We even chucked ourselves into the crowd, getting a black eye. A reminder of something very special indeed
Mikey Baird
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Source: Promo
Letlive – The Lockup – Leeds – 4/5
Known as a band known where anything can happen, and also having one of the best frontmen in music in the form of Jason Butler, it’s hard to know who is more excited;. the crowd, who are going apeshit, or the mad as a hatter vocalist? It only takes a few songs before we see Jason rip off his shirt and start doing press ups whilst screaming into his microphone. The crowd worship Letlive like the second coming and they treat their followers with the upmost respect in return.
Mikey Baird
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Source: PromoParamore – Main Stage – Reading – 5/5
For some people it’s the third time that’s lucky, but for Paramore it seems like it’s definitely the fifth as their fifth appearance at Reading festival finally see’s them take the main stage headline slot, shared with Queens Of The Stone Age. Opening with ‘Still Into You’, it was clear the band were out to enjoy every last-minute, and as the hits rolled out the band put in every ounce of energy they had. W
ith the power cutting mid-set, it looked like the fun could have been cut short, but with an acoustic performance of ‘The Only Exception’ to salvage the issues, it turned what could have been a disaster into one of the most magical moments of the evening as the crowds combined voices echoed like a choir and mobile phones illuminated across the sea of people like a star filled night sky. Once back in business there was no messing around Paramore delivered their best Reading Festival performance to date. Exceptional!
Chris Hines
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