Reading 2014; The Good, The Bad, The Future.

I'm sure many of you already would've started to gaze on the horizon of 2014 festival season, I am for one. After applying for Glastonbury local Sunday tickets the agonizing wait is now installed till Micheal Eavis decides whether I am worthy ( literally) But forget Glasto. 

Arms needed stretching after Green Day

Reading and Leeds is hot in the news this week, after the announcement from Zane Lowe on Tuesday night, Blink 182 are destined to headline the main stage on one of the three nights at the festival. Hmmm as I wait impatiently for it to be announced over the Radio its that R and L haven't had a new headliner in how long? Last years headliners were yet again a repeat, not to say that Green Day's set wasn't a triumph although it did highlight the debate over where next? Eminem spat his new material throughout the crowd on Saturday night but again, is it the same old story?  Biffy in the eyes of many stole the show and in no doubt was it the nearest Reading had got in a long while to 'new'. 2014 see's Blink playing their forth time at the festival and being their only UK show, obviously nothing too new demanding a UK tour. 

Not a let down but perhaps a moan from Reading fans, as announced by the festivals management all three headliners have played the stage before, bets come close around Blur, Muse and even The Foo Fighters ( again) and of which all possibilities being from both sides of the Atlantic. This may be an inaccurate comparison considering their diversity from eachother but look at Glastonbury's speculation for 2014, 3 headliners all of whom have never played Glastonbury before. This leaves the doors open to such a variety of possibilities and most of all Worthy Farm is keeping it interesting. After attending this years Glasto I can say it was one of the most satisfying line ups in its history, a vast improvement from 2011 with added stages and hundreds more acts. Is Reading just missing the trick? 

Palma Violets close up.

The answer-NO. What you have to understand is that yep, Reading is a rock festival, sure there's some rap and dance around with other alternative stuff and that's what your'e gonna get. Jake Bugg, Disclosure, Metronomy plus others have all been announced too, yes they've all played before but in my opinion Reading is the festival of discovery. Look at Disclosure, they've only released their debut this year and it's been number one already. Jake Bugg- recognized at R and L to start with soon to be followed by mass success. Then you've got the stars of 2013: Palma Violets, Deap Vally, Haim, FIDLAR, Drenge, MS MR, Chvurches, Jagwar Ma, Charli XCX e.t.c all of whom were on radar and DIY lookout last year, now to all have debuts out and mass followings in 2013 post and pre festival season and will never see the Festival Republic Stage again probably, -proving the smaller stages are where the talent is best kept. The Main stage seems to lack any new scene where as all others have seen a huge influx of raw vibes and  sick crowds. My advice, wait until the full Reading line up is announced before picking your bands, you might just discover a future scene, synth or singer whatever, you could actually get in the front row.





The Festival Republic Stage- small yet revolutionary.