I didn’t get to Reading this year, settling for finding a ticket for my son. Neither did Chris – in his case for the first time in a very long time, similarly enabling his daughter to go.
By any standards a family visit to the festival is a hefty slice of funds – even for a day pass. Simon, who has a greater tolerance to mayhem and physical discomfort than I can any longer manage went to an awful lot of it and seemed to enjoy himself. Mind you, Radiohead and Kings of Leon would have probably been enough to keep him happy.
I’ve little doubt that I would have found something new – which is the point of visiting for me. I find it difficult to raise much enthusiasm for the main stage. This is largely because they are mostly bands I have seen in smaller venues at various times, but also because the wind that sweeps in along the river makes decent sound an impossibility regardless of the wattage that’s put behind it. Chase and Status, on of the few high profile dance acts at Reading, were the highlight for my son and would probably have been for me too.
Simon told us that the usual problems of fires and groups of 20ish men/boys piling through the site looking for something to kick were present as ever. I don’t know how or if the organisers can ever get to grips with this, I hope they do.
John
