Reading Festival
Reading Festival - The Big Daddy
If fan girls and pre-teens aren’t really your thing (One Directioners I’m looking at you) then Reading Fest will get you just about as far away from the high pitched squeals as you could possibly dream. Instead, be prepared to enter into a world of moshpits and mayhem, the best kind of course. If a festival to you means great music, great memories and great live performances then this one fits the bill. Word of advice, leave your flower garland headbands and floppy hats at home because this one’s all about face wipes, mud stained knees and day three hair, not the good kind. 
The festival is located in Reading; in a quaint idyllic field named Johns Little Farm, soon to be rampaged and ransacked by over 80 000 of you, waterproofs and wristbands in hand. You`ll soon find yourselves battling to pitch tents and fighting for a prime camping location (next to the bar if you ask me).
The Line Up
From the 28TH August to the 31st the site will be overrun with some of the world’s leading artists. Reading`s main focus is about creating the mother of all line ups and boy have they delivered this year. The festival is organised by Festival Republic, the UK’s leading music events promoters. They are also the amazing people behind Latitude, Berlin and Leeds Festival. So rest assured the three day shindig is in very capable hands. Reading is known for its alternative, indie, punk rock vibe; offering 8 stages, each a little different with something very special to give. This includes the dance stage for all you late night ravers, the BBC introducing stage for artists new to the scene and of course the big one, the main stage. This year the main stage will be graced with the presence of headlining artists including Mumford and Sons and Metallica as well as recent UK number one album holders All Time Low. Bastille and 2015 Brit Award winners Royal Blood will also be joining in on the action. The NME/ Radio 1 stage will see performances from Knife Party, Peace and Gorgon City as well as many others over the three day period. With over 50 acts set to perform there will be no shortage of quality live music. The majority of performances are streamed live or recorded by the BBC and can be watched on the BBC highlights programme.
More than just music
As well as a ridiculous amount of good music to see you through the bank holiday weekend the festival offers loads more in terms of entertainment. For a start they’re bringing back the signing tent, a chance to meet some of your favourite artists up close and personal? Um where do I sign up! Also there’s a late night cinema tent so if you’re not really a fan of sleep then it sure beats rolling around restlessly in your tent until sunrise. Oh and did I mention there’s a funfair?! One ride on the big wheel can’t hurt eh? What’s more rock and roll than a big wheel anyway?
Happy Campers
If you go to Reading expecting it to resemble a 3 night getaway retreat then you will be in for one hell of a shock. Think back to that family weekend away when you were a kid, when you somehow managed to squeeze the whole family into a two man tent, including your grandma. Yeah, that’s more like it. Only this time you’re with friends so it’s actually a camping trip you will want to remember. All weekend tickets include camping within the price so no added cost is necessary. There are several camping sites available at the festival all offering something slightly different, so be sure to do your research beforehand. The white, brown and green campsites are all situated further away from the arena and are all that little bit quieter than the others so if you do intend on catching up on some sleep whilst your there then they may be the ones for you. Just don’t be the person who missed out on the front spot because you were having a snooze!
If I were you I would seriously consider grabbing yourself some tickets ASAP, as this is one festival not to be missed. You will smell, you will ache and you will want to crawl into a dark hole and fester there for a good few months afterwards but it will be completely and utterly worth it. And, you will of course want to do it all again next year.
To check out the full line-up and buy tickets visit the festival’s official webpage.
http://www.readingfestival.com /tickets
By Sophie Black