Radio 1 Stages - Reading 2015
Reading Festival promises to be a fiesta “where the best memories are made”, a Disney World for the big kids if you like. Their Radio 1 Stages are the one place where, for a whole weekend, you don’t mind jumping in a sea of sweaty bodies and beer being spilt over your festival garms is the start of a lifelong friendship. Right, so it’s possibly nothing like Disney World, but I have every faith it could steal the title of ‘world’s happiest place’.
I’ve been pondering over how to sell the NME/BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1 Dance Stages to you. After struggling for over an hour, going into a downward dog pose and doing a strange face massage that’ll apparently get my creative juices flowing - My cousins an actress, she says these things work. I’m at my wits end, I’d believe anything- I’ve realised you’re obviously already the free-spirited, festival-going type. Alas (I’ve been spending too much time with my cousins theatre performing friends), what better way to lure you in than with some of the acts quirky idiosyncrasies that’ll have you thanking both stages for rounding up groups of musicians you can relate too.
NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage
Speaking of peculiar habits, I’m starting at the end, with Friday’s closing act, for no other reason other than I can. Returning to Reading and Leeds Festival after their 2013 headline of the Dance Stage, Knife Party has swiftly risen from unknown Australian duo to dance floor leaders. Now one of the biggest names in dance music their drum ‘n’ bass sound is influenced by electro house, moombahton and dubstep. But the most accurate is Knife Party’s description of their tunes as “seizure music”. In other words, you’ve no choice but to indulge them, ‘cos they’re literally taking possession of you by force.
Also performing on Friday August 28th is American Nu Metal band Limp Bizkit, whose name was inspired by a story so random and unique you’re obliged to chuckle. One member, stoned out of his mind explained to the group his brain felt like a limp biscuit; and that is the tale of how one crazy night named a rap-metal band.
Don Broco bring their four man British rock set to the Festival. With songs like ‘Automatic’ and ‘You wanna know’ these Bedford boys are a long way from sets performed in Barnsley, where the drunk bar owner threw peanuts at them during their set. I can’t help but think, maybe if one of them had caught the peanuts in their mouth whilst performing the owner would’ve looked at them in an entirely different light.
Run the Jewels, Peace, Swim Deep, The Struts, EchoSmith, The Districts, American Football and Parquet Courts complete Fridays BBC Radio 1 Stage.
Saturdays line-up begins with Rebel Sound, the ultimate party starters who began performing on the streets of Leeds.
We can thank North London for birthing Wolf Alice. Not only can I not get enough of their band name; I wish plaid ankle trousers, matched with diamond patterned socks and bright brogues would suit me. I wish I was part of the in jokes, like the one where they think of Joel as the family dog. I wish.. I wish.. See if Reading Festival really was anything like Disney World my wishes would’ve come true. Throws pen on the floor and walks away.
I'm composed and back to tell you Twin Atlantic, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Everything Everything, Circa Waves, Spector, Slaves, Twin Peaks and Nothing but Thieves are Saturdays lively performers.
Headline act Deadmau5, the Canadian known for his mischievous mouse mask, will kick off Sundays show. Followed by Tyler the creator, Gorgon City, Years & Years, Jamie XX, Kwabs, Awolnation, Ghostpoet, Shura and The Skints. English indie rock Glass Animals are in Sunday’s line up and describe their music as similar to ‘the sound of unicorns whispering, but with no cowbell’. I didn’t quite get that but for some reason laughed anyway. And who doesn’t like unicorns.
BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage
I’m sure you all know the meaning of ‘dance’, ‘to move ones feet and body to music’. Now it does not mean hold the wall, or in the festivals case, the side lines. If you’re heading to the “Dance” Stage, you have no choice but to “Pump up the jam, pump it up, while your feet are stompin' and the jam is pumpin' look ahead the crowd is jumpin!” I won’t apologise for using old tunes to inspire you, a little Technotronic never hurt nobody!
Friday over at the Dance Stage opens with music from Wilkinson Live. Following Wilkinson Live is Camo & Krooked, Hannah Wants, Dillon Francis, Porter Robinson, Jacob Plant, My Nu Leng, Toyboy & Robin, Hayden Hames, Ferdinand Weber, All We Are, The Ramona Flowers and Cardiknox.
MK headlines Saturday’s line up and midway through the day, Special guest DJ Fresh will dish out the finest beats music. Here’s a tip; apparently as soon as DJ Fresh puts one hand in the air the music erupts and becomes two times better. Expect great things: such as jumping to the beat..and..well.. More jumping, to the beat. If your body’s not in pain by the end of this set then you weren’t jumping right!
Oliver Dollar, Charli XCX, Tourist, SecondCity, Dimension X Kove, Elliphant, Ben Khan, FTSE and Riptide Movement will continue to keep you on your musical toes.
Sunday’s Radio 1 Dance Stage guarantees top acts, from leading grime group Boy Better Know to Hudson Mohawke, who even had the police dancing on stage when they performed at Movement Festival. Definitely something to look forward to! Brodinski presents Brava, Blonde Live, Rustie, Evian Christ (DJ Set), Maribou State Live, Snakehips, TCTS, 99 Souls, Petite Meller and The Six will wrap up your already buzzing Sunday.
Reading Festivals Radio 1 stages always deliver unforgettable memories. I should know; mine are endless. Although, most can’t be shared for fear that my mother is reading this, “hi Ma!”
Jessika Downes-Gössl