Friday 28/08/09 Reading Festival, Day One @ Richfield Avenue, Reading

Share

Every year, I walk out of the disgusting leftovers of what was once a fairly admirable field in Reading, and every year I say, ‘never again will I camp in these surroundings of piss, rubbish and aggression – that’s it for me’. Nine years later, I’m still returning to the Reading Festival, as it continually boasts the most impressive display of music around.

Saying that, kicking off the bill was a disa-disa-pointing Dananananaykroyd. Credit where it’s due, they had mounds of energy and enthusiasm, but just didn’t live up to the hype that currently surrounds the Glaswegian lads. Following in sharp pursuit were Manchester Orchestra, who, with the help of a strong, 14,000 people crowd, blew the top off the Radio 1 tent, despite early sound difficulties.

Battling with the main stage winds is never an easy task – particularly when playing early in the day. Playing two sets this year were Alexisonfire, so they would have no doubt been glad that their main stage debut almost acted as a taste of things to come. They fought with the sound sweeping winds before playing a powerful, intimate set in Mike Davis’ Lock up stage later that night.

New Found Glory did what New Found Glory do; make people bounce in the sun. Unfortunately, Funeral for a Friend had no choice but to make people stand in the rain. The power was cut as the heavens opened. But the five, post-hardcore Welshman returned to play a commendable half hour set of songs such as Juneau, Art of American Football and She drove me to daytime television. It certainly dried everyone off.

If there’s anyone cooler than Chino Moreno, I haven’t heard of them. He stomped and screamed away on a personal, raised-up platform as Deftones punched everyone in the face, over and over again. Shove it, Headup and Back to School were a few from an emphatic set.

Even though the Lock Up stage had legends such as Bouncing Souls and Leftover Crack thrashing away, I’d bet there were many people who just didn’t bother leaving the Radio One/NME tent. Jack Peñate danced with everyone for an hour, before Florence and the Machine held everyone’s hand in a composedly beautiful set. It’s a good job they did, as Friendly Fires were about to come on and perform a mind-blowing show of samba, electro and force. They were quite outstanding. The same goes for Jamie T, who couldn’t have looked or performed more suavely if he tried. The over-flowing tent was in fine voice for Sheila, Calm Down Dearest and all the other classics.

In the distance you could hear half of Reading singing along with the end of the Kaiser Chiefs, whilst the Radio One tent prepared itself for Faith No More. However, the crowd had noticeably dispersed, as the Kings Of Leon were about the take to the main stage. It was a set that left me feeling uncomfortable. The foursome, from Nashville, arguably had the largest crowd of the weekend and arguably played one of the finest shows. Then why was the atmosphere so placid? Obviously everyone went crazy to 'Sex on Fire' and 'The Bucket', but there really was a sense of anti-climax in the crowd. Front man, Caleb Followill noticed it too, telling the audience: “We’re doing our best up here” and “I thought you were meant to be the loudest crowd in the world?!” In the end, he opted for a “fuck you, we’re the Kings of Leon” rant, that left a tainted atmosphere hanging in the Friday night air.

Reading Festival 2009 - Highlights in Photos: