With Friday’s acts causing quite at impact it was time to see how Saturdays Reading & Leeds Festival line-up fared! Here’s our run down of who we managed to catch.
Credit: Promo
Gnarwolves – Main Stage – Reading – 4/5
Today was a big day for Brighton 3 piece Gnarwolves. Having played almost every shit hole the country has to offer, true hard work finally paid off as they bought their grunge/punk-rock blend to today’s main stage with huge grins. Clearly overwhelmed by the response, you could see how much his meant to them as hundreds of fans sang back to them and the sheer disbelief on the bands faces were enough to tell all. Let’s hope this is the first chapter in a new story for Gnarwolves. They more than deserve it.
Chris Hines
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesNewham Generals – 1Xtra – Reading – 3/5
“Bluku! Bluku!” was yelled by D Double E as the Newham Generals strolled onto the stage in no rush what-so-ever; even though they were 15 minutes late to start their set. As the first bar was ignited, it didn’t take long for the thousands of Grime fans to forgive them, but due to the poor time keeping, the pair had to rush their set and it seemed that the pressure had got to D Double E as he forgot half a verse, but luckily swiftly recovered.
Despite the poor time management, Newham Generals killed it and had every patient fan loving every second of their set. Footsie and D Double E’s performance made it clear that Grime has a weird place in the music industry as their raw music made fans fight between each other, but then come together and spit every lyric. Despite the problems, Newham Generals were definitely appreciated by the fans and in the end, was worth the wait.
Josh Pratt
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Source: PromoJimmy Eat World – Main Stage – Leeds – 4/5
The emo kings, Jimmy Eat World, return to Leeds Festival for the first time in far too long to play their first of two sets today. Sticking mainly with tracks from their magnum opus ‘Bleed American’, they invite the first true singalongs of the day and by god do this crowd sing like their lives depended on it. The sun returns right on cue as the band close with the one, two punch of ‘Sweetness’ and ‘The Middle’, and as vocalist, Jim Adkins, looks humbled by the whole experience, they show that if any band can give you that full festival vibe, it’s Jimmy Eat World.
Mikey Baird
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Source: Jemma DoddThe Skints – The Lock Up – Leeds – 4/5
The time was right for some London Town reggae as The Skints took to the Lock Up stage. The Skints are truly one of the best UK bands around at the moment and seem to be going from strength to strength with their constant touring schedule. The tent is nicely packed and people have their dancing shoes on ready to get down to the groove, and bass heavy rubber dub vibes, that fill the air. Three way vocals add extra dynamics to the ska, reggae, dub, hip hop hybrid and all you can see around you is smiling faces. In vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Marcia Richards the band possess a true talent who drives the whole sound. A stunning set from a band who should be killing it on the main stage. We only see great things in this bands future and they truly deserve every success.
Mikey Baird
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Source: Jemma DoddBrody Dalle – The Lock Up – Leeds – 3/5
Brody Dalle and her band gave the fans a real treat today as she took to the lock-up stage. Pulling tracks from her new album ‘Diploid Love’, alongside a few Spinnerette tracks and even a clutch of Distillers tracks, it was a true best of Brody set. She may no longer look like the street punk of old but you know she still has that punk rock heart and, my god, that voice. Even after all these years she can blast out the tunes, proving why she always had one of the best voices in punk. Welcome back the real Brody Dalle; god we’ve missed you.
Mikey Baird
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesKrept & Konan – 1Xtra – Reading – 4/5
South London Hip-Hop duo, Krept & Konan, have recently opened many doors for the UK Urban scene and also seen America buy-in to their rawness. Whilst winning awards over in the states, the love and respect for the two is constantly growing here in the UK and their crowd today was evidence of that.
Saving the best until last, their massive track ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ took the 1 Xtra stage by storm seeing the likes of Meridian Dan and Yungen take to the stage with the tent shaking uncontrollably from everyone’s excitement. The soon to be UK Urban Legends have raised the bar and after that powerful performance, it’s going to be hard for anyone to match their energy this weekend.
Josh Pratt
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesDie Antwoord – NME/Radio 1 – 4.5/5
I think “What The F**k Is This!” was probably the most commonly shared thought during Die Antwoords bat-shit crazy set. One hundred percent the oddest act of this weekend, dual vocalists Ninja and Yo-Landi not only melted everyone’s brains with their unique blend of South African hip-hop/dance, but also managed to deliver one of the weekends most incredible and energetic sets. Tracks such as ‘Fatty Fatty Boom Boom’ were like watching a jungle tribe on acid, while viral sensation ‘Enter The Ninja’ became almost an emotional experience somehow oozing beauty within it’s madness. This is one band that can never be summed up in a review. All I know is the image of Ninja’s dick waving around in his Pink Floyd boxer-shorts will live with me for a long while.
Chris Hines
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesCHVRCHES – NME/Radio 1 – 4/5
Chvrches just seem to be going from strength to strength recently and sometimes it’s hard to remember that they are still promoting their debut album. Vocalist Lauren Mayberry manages to captivate with her beautiful voice barely having to move an inch, and album tracks such as ‘Tether’ send shivers down your spine with its haunting ethereal tones submerging you in their aura . With the crowd lapping up the likes of ‘We Sink’ and ‘Recover’, this is only the beginning for Chvrches. Let’s hope they can keep up the momentum as this is one band we can’t wait to hear more from.
Chris Hines
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Source: Jemma DoddJimmy Eat World – The Lock Up – Leeds – 4/5
There had been a few rumours flying around all weekend about a huge band doing a secret set tonight. Korn, The Libertines, Muse and Daphne & Celeste were a few of the names thrown around, and one rumour suggested that Jimmy Eat World were not actually playing their Lock Up set and it was all a clever ploy by the Foo Fighters.
It looked like the rumours had picked up steam as the tent was rammed, pouring out to the dodgems. So who was this secret band? Turns out it was no-one and Jimmy Eat World took to the stage for the second time today; as billed!
Once again the band are on fine form and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their album ‘Futures’ by relying heavily on tracks the album. They may not have been the secret band some of the crowd were hoping for but, to the bands credit, they keep the huge crowd transfixed throughout.
Mikey Baird
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Source: HTF / Chris HinesPusha T – 1xtra – Reading – 4/5
“This is my time, this is my hour, this is my pain, this is my name, this is my power, if it’s my reign, then it’s my shower, this pole position, I made a lane cause they blocked ours” were the first words from Pusha T on the 1 Xtra stage. If you read into the meaning of the lyrics you’ll understand why Push enjoyed every moment of the crowd yelling “King Push”. The bizarre journey of Pusha T’s career has finally met a straight road after signing to G.O.O.D Music, but his struggle to reach the top is still evident within his performance and lyrics.
Pusha T sends a powerful message and has clearly mastered the tough skill of being a great lyricist, which he translates to the crowd over his rumbling Trap bass instrumentals. The only thing that Push lacks is tracks that the masses know, but to a loyal fan his performance was faultless.
Josh Pratt
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