Martes 31 Ago 2010, 9:26

Fri 27 Aug – Reading Festival 2010

So Reading 2010 has been and gone, and it was a corker. I was really pleased with the changing atmosphere this year, even if at times it seemed a little dull. Particularly favourites this year were blink, QOTSA, Weezer and Thrice. Saturday, for my tastes was quite mediocre, although I am glad I finally got to see Cancer Bats, and Arcade Fire were a lot more impressive than when I saw them last time.

On Guns N' Roses, there has already been a lot of coverage about what a prized arse hole Axl Rose was in delaying the set by 58 minutes, but I'm more intrigued about the performance itself. Having waited for close to an 1h 45mins for them to come on after Queens of the Stone Age, it's unsurprising my pants weren't knocked off by a new song despite the fireworks. Welcome to the Jungle however set a chill shuddering through my spine; and that set the pattern for the set. Solid, and at times, brilliant musicianship interspersed with awkward band interaction and far too many costume changes with Axl revealing a horrible wardrobe. It's a shame we didn't get to hear Paradise City, but Sweet Child O' Mine was pretty sweet. All in all, if the guitarist hadn't come out looking like Slash, complete with furry top hat and obligatory fag in mouth, I may have been more positive.

Anthems of the festival include QOTSA's Feel Good Hit of the Summer, Blink's All The Small Things and Weezer's Buddy Holly.

So despite having to queue for nearly 4hrs to get in whilst it rained heavily, reducing our 24 packs to a crumbling mess, and a quieter, less enthusiastic atmosphere, Reading really impressed, and in the end I think it was better this year than Glastonbury.

Friday
A Day To Remember
Billy Talent
Girls
Two Door Cinema Club
Lostprophets
Biffy Clyro
Queens of the Stone Age
Guns N' Roses

Saturday
The Futureheads
Mystery Jets
The Gaslight Anthem
Trash Talk
Everything Everything
Frank Turner
Serj Tankian
Cancer Bats
The Get Up Kids
The Libertines
NOFX
Arcade Fire

Sunday
The Joy Formidable
Thrice
Los Campesinos!
Metronomy
Cypress Hill
Weezer
Paramore
Blink-182