Reading Festival 2008 News

Reading Festival 2008 News http://www.readingfestival.com en Live Nation Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:16:19 GMT Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:16:19 GMT 60 VOTE FOR READING FESTIVAL Let's make Reading Festival Best Live Event of 2008! The Shockwaves NME Awards 2009 nominees have been announced. Your votes have been counted and the shortlists now need your vote to decide the winners. The Reading & Leeds Festivals are in the running for Best Live Event thanks to your votes last year and we can't win without your help! So get voting.... <a href="http://www.nme.com/awardsVOTE">VOTE NOW</a> Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT 2009-01-28T00:00:00 fbec258d-cd51-4d90-ae7a-f6ee2cc98770 1 IMPORTANT TICKET INFO - PLEASE READ Beware of unauthorised ticket agencies including eBay, buying from them can be a lot of trouble - You are likely to pay over the odds for a ticket that will have never existed or might never materialise. Beware of unauthorised ticket agencies including eBay, buying from them can be a lot of trouble - You are likely to pay over the odds for a ticket that will have never existed or might never materialise. <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/w/y/f/AuthorisedTicketAgents_2009.pdf">Info on Authorised agents</a> <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/w/y/f/Unauthorised_Ticket_Agents_2009.pdf">Info on UNauthorised agents</a> <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/w/y/f/Info_Unauthorised_TicketAgentsAndTicketTouting.pdf">Info on Ticket Touting</a> Most notable of these unauthorised sites are: SOS Ticketmaster (not to be confused withTicketmaster who are the real agent) readingfestivaltickets.co.uk leedsfestival.net leedsfestival2009.com readingfestival2009.com Westminster Events, Get Me Tickets , Splendid Tickets, Herts Box Office Click For Tickets, London Ticket Shop, anyworldwideevent.com ticketssoldout.co.uk, TicketSolutions, Tickettout.com, TicketUK.com Double 8 Tickets, London Ticket Shop, Ebay, Gumtree, Viagogo, Seatwave, Stubhub,BritishConcerts.com, GetMeTickets,Tickettout.com, No1soldoutevents.com, Sold Out Events, Tickets UK, Click for Tickets , Herts Box Office, XclusiveTicket.com, Summer Festival Tickets.com, Corporate Box Office, Ticket 4-you, Euro team,Everysell.com, Anyticket.com, Getmein.com,showtime, Tickco.com, London Ticket Express, SummerFestivalTickets.com, ticket2bethere.co.uk, paperticket.com, bookmetickets.com, euroteam.net, swickets.com, euroticketfinder.co.uk Additional Unauthorised Sites: Anyone advertised on Readingfestival.org - this is not an authorised site. <a href="http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/consumer_protection/ticketagentquestions.pdf">More tout info from Office of Fair Trading - please read</a>                                ~ . ~ We are currently looking into companies selling 'touted' tickets and we are doing what we can to stop fraudulent activity. FURTHER INFORMATION & CONTACTS:  If you feel a victim of these companies we suggest a number of actions: 1.Call the police; if your money has been taken and no product delivered, this is theft. 2.Report the company to the Trading Standards 3.Contact the BBC's watchdog programme 4.Contact the websites' Internet Service Providers as they have obligations to ensure they are not publishing fraudulent and illegal activity. HELPFUL LINKS: <a href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/RightsAndResponsibilities/RightsAndResponsibilitiesArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10015892&chk=I8hfA1">Trading Standards website customer accounts of GetMeTickets</a>  <a href="http://www.easynet.com/legal/acceptable.asp">Easynets Acceptable use policy, Service provider of GetMeTickets</a>  <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/">BBC Watchdog</a> <a href="http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1446">Get Safe Online</a> <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/m/f/k/2009UnauthorisedTicketAgentsandTicketTouting.pdf">Full Festival Republic PDF information on Unauthorised Ticket Agents</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:00:00 GMT 2008-04-01T07:00:00 f784c7f1-9cbc-46a3-83a2-6114f35d6ede 2 NO TICKETS FOR READING FESTIVAL WILL BE ONSALE AT THE GATE NO WEEKEND OR DAY TICKETS for the Reading festivals will be sold onsite again. There will be no box office of any kind. All tickets will be sent out to customers. If you are an overseas customer that has purchased tickets from an OFFICIAL ticket agent (<a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/m/f/k/2009UnauthorisedTicketAgentsandTicketTouting.pdf">see list here</a>), your tickets will be at The Hexagon in Reading. If you do not have tickets when approaching the gates you will be sent away. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT 2009-01-26T00:00:00 b64742d0-f0c4-47bb-ba50-4e60a2d01a10 3 2009 READING TICKETS Presale 2009 [August 28/29/30] tickets have now sold out. More on sale in the Spring. Weekend tickets for Reading Festival 2009 (28,29,30 Aug) have sold out, more will be on sale in the Spring. You can be one of the first to find out exactly when by signing up to newsletters at <a href="http://www.festivalrepublic.com/register">www.festivalrepublic.com/register</a> Booking fees apply. PLEASE BE AWARE, ANYONE SELLING TICKETS NOW IS NOT AN AUTHORISED TICKET AGENT AND THE TICKET MAY NOT EVEN EXIST. <a href="http://2008.readingfestival.com/news/story.aspx?AID=f784c7f1-9cbc-46a3-83a2-6114f35d6ede">Read all about our authorised agents here</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT 2008-08-26T09:00:00 5c377585-c074-48c7-b2de-a6d8b02f7619 4 ARRESTS MADE OVER TICKET COMPANY Five people have been arrested in London in connection with a company selling festival tickets which went into liquidation in August. Hundreds of people missed out on V Festival tickets and five people have been arrested in London in connection with a company selling festival tickets which went into liquidation in August. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is also launching an investigation into Xclusive Tickets, and is making a direct appeal for the public's help. They would like people who bought tickets from the site but did not receive them to get in touch. The five people were questioned and later released on unconditional bail. Parent company Xclusive Leisure and Hospitality Limited is registered to an address in Southwark, south London. 'Very valuable' SFO director Richard Alderman told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme it was appealing for some 4,000 people who failed to receive 18,000 tickets for events, including festivals, to make contact. More than 2,500 people who purchased Reading, Leeds and V Festival tickets from the company were affected. People who bought tickets for the Beijing Olympics also missed out. "We've put a simple form on our website which will enable people to put details of the tickets they wanted and the loss they suffered," he said. Mr Alderman added that the public's help would enable his team establish the problem's "full extent" and make a "very valuable" contribution to their fraud probe. You and Yours reporter Shari Vahl said the move was very unusual and the SFO's first direct appeal for public information in an investigation. Taken from <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7750358.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7750358.stm</a> Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2008-11-28T00:00:00 cc892125-277b-4986-a7b3-5803450f8934 1000000 READING MERCHANDISE Too busy rocking out to remember to pick up a Reading t-shirt T-shirts, hoodies, hats and bags....what else will you wear?? <a href="http://www.bandmad.com/store/page3.asp?suptype=1&t=4&sub_type=422">Click here</a> Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-09-04T00:00:00 a9e06323-8d1a-4b15-b8c6-98e01d246e66 1000000 AL FRESCO AWARD WINNERS The Al Fresco Awards, organised by Reading Council Environmental Officers, once again came to the Reading Festival. The Al Fresco Awards, organised by Reading Council Environmental Officers, once again came to the Reading Festival. The awards address issues ranging from Health & Safety through to traders being environmentally friendly. Judges visited each of the caterers at the festival assessing them all on the following four categories: *       Food safety *       Gas safety *       Environmental assessment  *       Management structure and style An impressive number of caterers met all the criteria and the overall winners excelled in all of the four areas. The Gold award went to Red Dragon (pictured) those prize is a free pitch at next year's festival. The silver award went to Phillipine Village Fast Food who won a 25% reduction in the cost of their pitch for next year. So if you're looking for great food with award-winning standards be sure to seek out these traders next year! Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-09-02T00:00:00 fd5cc617-f80b-4dbe-a6f1-c84e4291d398 1000000 LOST PROPERTY Left anything at Reading? The Lost Property postal and email addresses for queries are:  Waves, Reading 2008 PO Box 150, Droitwich Spa, WORCS WR9 0WX Email: <a href="mailto:lostproperty@wavesltd.org?subject=Lost%20Property%20-%20Reading%20Festival%202008&body=Name%3A%0D%0ATel%20no%3A%0D%0ADescription%20of%20item(s)%20lost%20(inc.serial%20numbers%20if%20applicable)%3A%0D%0A%0D%0AAddress%3A%0D%0A">lostproperty@wavesltd.org</a> Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-09-01T00:00:00 2eec4575-dc29-4cf9-9508-473560ae1db2 1000000 BBC INTRODUCING STAGE Live sets from the Introducing stage are available at bbc.co.uk/introducing and the BBC’s Reading and Leeds Festival site at bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds. This year saw the debut of the BBC Introducing Stage at both Reading and Leeds Festivals. Whilst the lucky folk at Leeds had the unsigned stage in years gone by, now both sites had the chance to see the next generation of UK music over the weekend. Huw Stephens, Radio 1,  said; "Reading and Leeds is the festival for new music and so to have Introducing there is very exciting." Check out some live sets from the bands on the BBC Introducing Stage at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/introducing">www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/introducing</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/attackattackband">Attack Attack</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thecherrycobbcartel">The Cherry Cobb Cartel</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/darlingsofthesplitscreen">Darlings of the Split Screen</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/eurekamachines">Eureka Machines</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/fangsfangsfangs">Fangs</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/weareffers">FF'ers</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/flashguns">Flash Guns</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/foxcubs">Fox Cubs</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/generalfiasco">General Fiasco</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hungryghostsuk">Hungry Ghosts</a>  <a href="http://www.iconcur.co.uk/">I Concur</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ipsofactomyspace">Ipso Facto</a>  <a href="http://www.kidid.co.uk/">Kid iD</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thelastpeopleonearth">The Last People on Earth</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/loqui">Loqui</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/themaybesliverpool">The Maybes?</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thenewyorkfund">The New York Fund</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ourfold">Our Fold</a>  <a href="http://www.outfromanimals.com/">Out From Animals</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pulledapartbyhorses">Pulled Apart By Horses</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/razmatazlorryexcitement">Razmataz Lorry Excitement</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/situationists">Situationists</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/salvationandtheskeletons">Skeletons</a> <a href="http://www.thatfuckingtank.com/">That F**king Tank</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thomastantrum">Thomas Tantrum</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jazzbongo">Tiger Shadow</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tripwires">Tripwires</a> Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-28T00:00:00 c6c8f295-f61d-4eb7-87d7-b032461f62e3 1000000 LOW SOUND LEVELS Due to atmospheric conditions. Festival Director Melvin Benn said that the volume had been out of his control this weekend.  Unfortunately this affected a fair number of bands over the weekend. "The sound levels on site are almost entirely dictated by the levels offsite. The local council set levels by which sound can't be above and this is measured next to residential properties nearby to the site. The council set exactly the same level that they always set, but due to the weather this year, the sound stayed low and hit those decibel readings much, much earlier than normal, resulting in the sound being recorded at much louder volumes offsite than normal. So we were obligated by the council to turn our levels down. The sound level was less than ideal on the Friday night and my sound engineer and I have a meeting scheduled in with the council to present how we will overcome this so we don’t face the same issues with sound next year." Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-25T00:00:00 9146ec58-8128-4686-b678-dccf929769cf 1000000 DIGITALISM ¦ DANCE STAGE It's all about electro. Bounding straight into their opening track with all the subtlety of a horses hoof to the chest, maximal Kings Digitalism proceed to pound us further and further into the ground with a perfect display of how to perform live electro.  Hyping the crowd, including hook laden synths, memorable vocals and, of course, a cover of The Cure’s ‘Fire In Cairo’ that feasibly warrants the term “genius”, Digitalism have got this down to a fine art, and as the set reaches its climax at the peak of ‘Zdarlight’s’ build up there are more hands raised from grinning bodies than you could ever expect in a tent that’s so hot it is threatening to melt on us which, and trust us here, is most definitely a good thing. Now, just got to find that main stage as there’s a rumor Metallica might be playing… Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T23:00:00 72516c1f-d861-4ae9-bb76-bab2fae6105e 1000000 METALLICA ¦ MAIN STAGE Classics, covers, collosal stage sets. All in a day's work for Metallica. Opening with 'Creep', James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo had every single person in the 40,000 strong crowd playing air guitar. Closing Reading on the 'Metal' day, Metallica are the definition of the word and more than lived up to their name and reputation. Breaking out their back catalogue that included songs more than 20 years old, they also played 'So What' by The Anti-Nowhere League and Misfits cover 'Last Caress', and played two new songs, 'Cyanide' and 'The Day That Never Comes', from the band's ninth album, 'Death Magnetic', slated for released on the September 12th. It's the first to feature Trujillo on bass and also the first to be managed by super-producer Rick Rubin. Slow track 'Nothing Else Matters' saw Hetfield raised on the silver platform high above the crowd alone under a single spotlight. Fireworks and pyrotechnics were order of the day as they brought the festival to a spectacular close tonight. To see the live set from Metallica, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/videos/">go here </a> Photo credit: Kez Hedges Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T23:00:00 7354e647-619a-41e1-aa00-5c8c435bf7a2 1000000 SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO ¦ DANCE STAGE I believe/ You could be/ What I need/ To believe Simian Mobile Disco enter and play in a manner similar to that of Crystal Castles, mysteriously draped in smoke, rendering them almost invisible for much of the set.  This, however, only adds to the atmosphere of their acid house and techno infused brand of electro as opener ‘Sleep Deprivation’ creeps in slowly, before the bass slams in and the entire tent bounces as one. Needless to say that single line sums up the rest of the set, as Simian Mobile Disco blast out tune after tune with dancefloor-devastating timing.  Judging by the quality of their last, this set justifies buying the new album as soon as it appears, as the closing barrage of “I Believe’ reverberates around our skulls. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T20:00:00 1f0276ef-7fa8-4e02-8ea4-13aeee5d5e57 1000000 CHROMEO ¦ DANCE STAGE “Chromeo-oh-oh! Chromeo-oh-oh!” These Montreal-ites enter the stage to chants ripped straight from the somewhat epic minute opener of last year’s ‘Fancy Footwork’ album as hordes of people bellow out, “Chromeo-oh-oh!” until the band step up and belt out a ‘best of’ set compiling every last classic funk filled track from their two albums and the crowd lap up every second.  The whole affair has a much more slick and laid back vibe to it after the deranged chaos of the Canadians who took to the stage previously, Crystal Castles. This is not to say that they go any less brilliantly though, a fact testified by the band having to physically stop playing in the middle of Mama’s Boy when the chants become so loud the music itself is drowned out.  Couple that with their cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing’ and you have a recipe for the most fun set of the weekend, though The Death Set come a close second. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:45:00 GMT 2008-08-24T19:45:00 c13e1dd0-565e-44d4-aab5-2e1f7ff8435d 1000000 CRYSTAL CASTLES ¦ DANCE STAGE Crystal Castles return to the Dance Stage for another storming set Crystal Castles enter amidst a hailstorm of cheering, appearing mysteriously out of a cloud of smoke and waves of reverb and bass. At this point they already appear to have the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands and we start to wander if this will render the rest of the set somewhat moot.  We could not be more wrong as, over the course of the next half hour Crystal Castles go on to justify every single ounce of praise that has ever been heaped upon them. The music remains dark, menacing and atmospheric whilst being simultaneously euphoric at the same time.  A strange combination, and when coupled with vocalist Alice Glass staring out from beneath her fringe with eyes that suggest hints of controlled derangement soon to be unleashed the whole affair becomes truly life-affirming and songs such as ‘Air War’, ‘Loving and Caring’, ‘Crimewave’ and ‘Knights’ feel more like anthems for a generation’s war on the mundane rather than mere 8-bit electro tunes. Possibly the one band of the weekend to make sure you see as soon as you’ve left the festival grounds. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T19:00:00 3dff89c4-69cc-4610-a338-d9cbeb80c99d 1000000 HOLY FUCK ¦ DANCE STAGE The prospect of reviewing a Holy Fuck show is a little daunting. They are one of those bands whose music is so layered and complex, drawing from a range of influences so wide that it’s a hard task to know where to begin. The best place seems to be to simply state that they are entirely spellbinding.  Drawing their set from last year’s simply stunning debut long player, the majority of the crowd stand stock still in awed admiration as the band meld sounds together into the beautiful, twisted electronica they have been producing for years. Building to a climax, they draw to a close with ‘Lovely Allen’, a track so majestic it feels as if the band and audience alike may just float off into the heavens at any moment.  Holy Fuck are, today, simply inspirational. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:45:00 GMT 2008-08-24T17:45:00 5856e3c2-1aef-436d-bba4-096173a4cebe 1000000 THE DEATH SET ¦ DANCE STAGE The Death Set was a wholly different proposition. These guys always mean business and, luckily, they seem to be in the business of making party-starting, thrashy electro-punk tracks that are fast enough to tear off your face and funky enough to make your hips shake at the same time; an interesting proposition.  They take to the stage and make sure we’re all aware of their intentions to turn the tent into an early afternoon party and immediately drop into their custom intro which mixes up the Jackson 5 and Salt n’ Peppa before they bounce straight into ‘Impossible’ and hips and fists start shaking as heads bang and inhibitions roll away.  They continue to thrash out tracks from their two EPs and debut album to an excitable crowd, amongst shouts of, “Motherf*cking Death Set!’ (see album track ‘MFDS’ for an explanation…) before the guitarist smashes his guitar on stage and frontman Johnny Siera, failing at first to do the same, sets his own guitar alight before repeatedly dashing the aflame instrument against the stage until its remnants are littered all around and the whole marvellous ordeal is over as abruptly as it began. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:30:00 GMT 2008-08-24T14:30:00 627435cb-084c-4baa-9b39-4a0a6ac98dc3 1000000 THE SHOES ¦ DANCE STAGE The least enviable task of the weekend, that of opening the Dance Stage at a festival comprised mainly of rock, metal and indie fans on the final day of the weekend, is left to French electro duo The Shoes.  They hit the stage and drop straight into their blissed out remix of Primary 1’s ‘Hold Me Down’, which seems to be the right choice going by the weary expressions on the faces of the few people who’ve made it down at this time in the afternoon, as it eases them in before they start to up the tempo with some blistering live reconstructions of their songs, with recent debut single, ‘Knock Out’ sounding particularly fantastic.  They even manage to get the weary souls at the front dancing, singing along and generally create a fun atmosphere, leaving us all wanting more as well as expecting big things from the duo. Justice… watch your backs. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:30:00 GMT 2008-08-24T14:30:00 fba07c17-46e6-48b6-a41e-1fd1f13146d7 1000000 ALEXISONFIRE ¦ MAIN STAGE It's all change on the main stage, but they still make the biggest circle pits. Thanks to Avenged Sevenfold's late cancellation (strained vocal chords), Festival Republic's favourite melodic scream-rockers, Alexisonfire, hit the stage today a little earlier than planned.  Undeterred, the boys played a focused set of their best heavy rock tunes, largely from the albums 'Watch Out!!!' and 'Crisis'. The sleepy crowd took a while to wake up, kicking in about halfway through the set, but that didn't seem to affect the Canadian punk icons.  Screamer George Petitt and his antithesis, the very soothing voice of Dallas Green, worked in perfect harmony to create one of the strongest sets we've ever seen from the boys. Bring on album number four! Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:45:00 GMT 2008-08-24T13:45:00 f42e1333-d882-4066-9b81-fa3de2327f35 1000000 THRICE INTERVIEW The second band we were fortunate to catch up with last Saturday was Californian melodic-hardcore outfit Thrice. <div>We sat down with brothers Eddie and Riley Breckenridge, bassist and drummer respectively, to chat about their Reading/Leeds experience and what's in store for the foursome.  </div> <div>Tell us about your Reading/Leeds experience so far.</div> <div>We rolled in at about 11am.. spent a good hour and a half trying to figure out how the hell we were going to park. There wasn't room by the Lock Up stage so our bus driver kept going backwards and in and out.. then me and our front of house guy and drum tech spent about an hour trying to find a clean toilet. Now we're just hanging out! Hopefully we'll get to see some bands.. we want to see Bloc Party, The Raconteurs.   What have you been doing in the lead up to this festival weekend?</div> <div>We've just finished playing a bunch of festivals in Europe - Belgium, Austria and two headlining club shows in Germany, and a headlining show at the Electric Ballroom in London. How would you compare European festivals to US ones?</div> <div>They seem way bigger. The only festival we've done [in the States] which could compare to the size of Reading and Leeds is probably Coachella. They're similar in a lot of ways in the set up and variety of genres playing. Another one we've done is Bamboozle, which is mostly punk and alternative bands on a much smaller scale. But this is massive. </div> <div>The last time we played Reading/Leeds it was pretty nervewrecking, especially because we played right after The Rasmus, who were bottled onstage. Because of the way the backstage area is set up, you can't really get a good gauge of how big the main stage is. The first time I got to really understand what we were in was walking onto the stage, your heart sinks a little bit. You have to seperate yourself, we have to find something in the crowd to focus on and zone out on it.  Given that you get nervous in front of big crowds, do you prefer little local shows to large audiences?</div> <div>Not really, because you can actually see all your friends' and families' faces when you're playing. When you're super nervous and things go right and the show just happens, that's great. What are your plans for the rest of 2008?</div> <div>We're going to Australia to do some dates then Hawaii for one show. We've got four days off in Hawaii just to enjoy it, which we're so excited about. Then we're going on tour in the States with Alkaline Trio, Rise Against and The Gaslight Anthem. We have friends in all those bands so it should be fun. After that I think we're going to start writing again. We would love to be able to go to Israel or somewhere far out in the Middle East and South America. Wer just want to keep creating things, challenging ourselves. With a lot of bands, they find their sound and they stay there, but with every record we make we want to change. It gives us this freedom onstage to be more experimental, to play whatever we want to play.</div> Jennifer Roberts General Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T00:00:00 ad094b4c-c9f8-4302-852c-4e70332adef0 1000000 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN With the final metal day upon us, it can only mean one thing. Metallica's stage is being set up, with huge light screens above the platform, tonight is set to be a must-see show. With Avenged Sevenfold pulling out last minute, fans will disappointed but Tenacious D are sure to pull in the crowds later this evening along with Dropkick Murphys and Alexisonfire further down the bill. The Cribs will headline the NME / Radio 1 Stage above Alex Turner and Miles Kane's new outfit, The Last Shadow Puppets - their first festival performance in the UK. The Lock Up stage turns into the Dance Stage today and hosts a line up of who's who at the moment; The Whip, Chromeo, Crystal Castles, Simian Mobile Disco, Digitalism and headliners CSS will close the stage  with their brand of fizzy-dance pop. Get your dancing shoes on! The Silent Disco continues its success this evening, it's final night, until 4am, and Johnny Foreigner will be playing live at Club NME at the Rivermead Centre. Jennifer Roberts General Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-24T00:00:00 c4ebddd4-fee5-4e2b-9699-8a3deba8c77c 1000000 SATURDAY ROUND UP George Pringle, Fucked Up, Justice and Mystery Jets Opening up the day on the Alternative Stage is George Pringle who, at twelve in the afternoon, has the un-enviable task of trying to get the best out of a bunch of stragglers who have been drunk in a field for a minimum of two days. Fortunately for all, her individual mix of lo-fi electro and streams of consciousness layered on top. The very laid back crowd lap up the gentle beats, basking in the beauty of her voice when she drops into to full blown singing, as opposed to her usual spoken word style. Music this interesting needs to be heard and, while it might be over the head of your average Joe, anyone with a vested interest in refreshing and inventive music should be keeping an eye on this young lady. Fucked Up do nothing less than grab the stage by the throat and absolutely tear it apart with their brand of Black Flag inspired old school hardcore punk. Vocalist Pink Eyes is, as per usual, shirtless, vast and right in the faces of the crowd, handing them the microphone to scream the key lyrics for the songs themselves. The set, comprising mostly of tracks from their last album, Hidden World, storm the tent and cause wave upon wave of crowd surfers to float across the top of the mosh pit with Pink Eyes even catching half of them himself, even ending up with a sweaty human hat at one point! Leaving us with a closing salvo of “Crusades’, ‘David Comes To Life’ and a track from their, as of yet, unreleased new album we leave damaged, damp and incredibly happy, arm in arm with Pink Eyes who took it upon himself to leave, not with his band, but with the rest of us having clambered over the barrier for some post-set banter. Justice step onto stage behind their traditional wall of Marshall amps along with their signature brightly lit cross and drop straight into album opener, ‘Genesis’. The crowd promptly goes completely mental and continues in that fashion for the next forty minutes. The likes of “D.A.N.C.E.”, ‘DVNO’ and the ‘Never Be Alone Again’ remix completely floor us in their majesty and keep me night on us nigh on as happy as Rage Against the Machine did on Friday. And that is saying something. Playing surprisingly early on in the day for a band who have just released their acclaimed second album and so, correspondingly, Mystery Jets pack out the NME/Radio 1 tent at four the afternoon with a set of classics and new material form the aforementioned new record. Songs such as ‘Hideaway’ ‘Young Love’ and ‘Two Doors Down’ have thousands upon thousands of hands in the air singing along to their perfect pop choruses, regardless of the fact that the album was only released around a month ago, testament to their ability to write sublime pop hooks whilst retaining their indie credibility. The best reaction is, of course, saved for the HUGE old single, ‘You Can’t Fool Me Dennis’ which, despite being played early on, more or less incites an afternoon riot. Without a doubt, these boys will soon be back headlining this tent. Jennifer Roberts General Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:30:00 GMT 2008-08-23T23:30:00 30e46a78-707e-4a41-9fae-6b5dc4b3a0f6 1000000 RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE ¦ MAIN STAGE Blacks hoods, arms behind backs and orange jumpsuits. That is the sight that finally greets us, eight years almost to the day since Rage Against The Machine last this site.  What proceeds to unfold is a nothing less than a master class in how to play a live show that names such as Daft Punk could learn from. Dropping straight into ‘Bombtrack’, statement made, they swiftly ditch the outfits and really plough into a set that is so full of hits it’s hard to believe that they stem from only three albums. None-the-less, this is the case, and it is easily enough to justify their reformation to any naysayers, skeptical Rage may have sold out their values in search for a quick buck. No, seemingly, they have something new to say that demands the appropriate platform from which to deliver it. For which the background of tracks like ‘Know Your Enemy’, ‘Sleep Now In The Fire’, ‘Bulls On Parade’ and, of course, ‘Killing In The Name’ are absolutely perfect.  With the sublime addition of ‘Ashes In The Fall’ in the set, not a huge track of theirs, but played so well it reduces various members of the crowd to tears with the pure emotional power of the band. As a group, we don’t quite have the words to express how stunning this set truly was, suffice to say it’s not often a band can reduce grown men to weeping quietly but openly in a field. All that really needs to be said is that this is band that went away and have returned in better form than ever. Spurn this comeback and you’ll only be hurting yourself. Jennifer Roberts General Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T23:00:00 1a934979-c0ab-4d1f-ba75-060908550b6b 1000000 ALKALINE TRIO INTERVIEW On Saturday at Reading, Festival Republic had the opportunity to sit down with two of our personal favourite rock highlights that day, the first being the massive Alkaline Trio. We caught up with Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano for a quick grilling in the press tent, just prior to their set as supporting headliners on the Radio 1 Lock Up Stage. Hey guys, how has your experience of Reading/Leeds been so far? Matt: We haven't played yet, today is our first day here, but so far so good. We're starting to get pumped for the show. It's always a blast to be out here.  You've played the weekend before, right? How have your past experiences been? Matt: Yeah we've played a couple of times. Dan: Everyone's always really nice, we're definitely taken care of out here.   You have a new record out, 'Agony and Irony', your sixth studio album - tell us a bit about it. Dan: We're really happy with the way it turned out, we had a lot of fun making it. We got some new people in, a new engineer; it has some different perspectives. We wanted to make a rock record and I think we did that. We seem to get a pretty positive reaction when we play the songs live so it's going well.  How do you rate the UK generally as a country to play live in? Matt: It's absolutely one of our favourite places. When we come here the reception is always so immense. Dan: We're really fortunate that people that come out to our shows keep coming out, we always see a lot of familiar faces.  Every time we do a tour it seems to get a little bit bigger.  What's the future like for Alkaline Trio? Dan: I guess.. we want to get bigger, we want more people to come, to keep coming. It's hard to ask for more! Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 52d40c4b-035a-43b7-9f4a-f1fab7685583 1000000 THE SUBWAYS ¦ MAIN STAGE Rolling out hits from the first album, 'Young For Eternity', The Subways - Charlotte, Josh and Billy were on top form belting out 'Oh Yeah' ,'1am', plus the latest single from their new album, 'Girls And Boys'. Loyal fans and new listeners alike showed appreciation when 'Rock & Roll Queen' was played, with arms aloft. It's nice to see a young band having worked their way up the stages and up the bill to land on the Main Stage at Reading. Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 75b10715-5927-4168-85d0-6fa9661be043 1000000 MGMT ¦ NME / RADIO 1 STAGE On what is clearly marked as the 'indie' night at the NME/Radio One stage, fans seem to stay rooted to their spot as each NME darling bounds onto and flits from the stage. But as Jack Penate plays his final chord the crowd only seems to grow, with a five-deep radius around the tent before current hot things, MGMT, hit the stage. After the incredible reaction received from the single release of 'Time To Pretend' both on radio and from the public in general, it's not hard to see why so many Reading fans have chosen to watch them.  Storming through a bunch of songs from their debut LP, they enjoy a fantastic reception - most unusual for a band that have only had time to grow from two hits. A treat for the ears and the eyes - their frontman has chosen to don a paint-splattered cape, which he covers himself with halfway through the set, cementing the magical vibe the group exude. Fantastic. Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 f905815b-a86c-4592-8fd1-e82f3b6be0ff 1000000 SATURDAY SUN The sun is out and the bands are rocking... The sun is out in full force, and the crowds are gathering at the gates. On the Main Stage, The Blackout open with a set from their new album We Are The Dynamite! complete with friends. Look out for them at noon. Following a secret show yesterday on the BBC Introducing Stage from Biffy Clyro, We Are Scientists repeat the favour halfway through the day. With so much on offer, plus a new stage, there's never a quiet moment, but if you prefer something a bit calmer on a sunny afternoon, Seasick Steve will ease the blues, and Editors and The Raconteurs will pick up the pace for when The Killers headline the main stage this evening. Over on The Alternative Stage, Andi Osho, Arnab Chanda and Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III are sure to bring the laughs and later this evening Lucha Britannia, the outrageous show with magicians, comics, dancers, freak show carnie acts and much much more will fill the stage from midnight. Don't forget the sunscreen! Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 044d8478-c0b9-4dfa-ab7e-32aa95ed6f7c 1000000 THE NEW YORK FUND ¦ BBC INTRODUCING STAGE Possibly the most underrated place to be this weekend is the BBC Introducing stage. Aside from surprise intimate sets from Biffy Clyro and We Are Scientists, this weekend the BBC play host to a wealth of groundbreaking new talent.  Yeah it's cool to watch Bloc Party and all that, but wouldn't it be more exciting to be one of the first to discover next year's big thing? The first band to catch our eye today is The New York Fund, an indie fourpiece from London-town no less (which poses some confusion with their name...).  Despite still being relatively fresh and unknown, the group's professional guitar led indie pop ensures that every passer by stops for a listen. Due to bring out their debut record later this year on the same label as The Shout Out Louds, we can only expect bigger and better things from these guys.  Watch this space...  Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 8fbf1fb1-1aa6-4c63-8965-3480d84139f6 1000000 ATTACK! ATTACK! ¦ BBC INTRODUCING STAGE While England experiences the slew of (largely Liverpudlian) guitar-based bands, it's always refreshing to see something a little different going on in our neighbouring countries.  For Wales that something different is, simply, great, radio-friendly rock. Following the worldwide success of Welsh titans Lostprophets and Bullet For My Valentine, many similar - equally brilliant - acts have found a way to creep into our ears and hearts. So it's pleasing to see that at least one of the bands featured on the BBC Introducing stage is, in fact, Welsh.  Even more pleasing is the number of Welsh bands in the audience, cheering their friends on. Attack! Attack! have a much bigger bite than Lostprophets (their more recent stuff anyway) and the impact of their loud, biosterous punk rock music is both captivating and motivating. With every performance they get better and better and today was no exception. We don't think there was an unhappy emo face in sight! Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-23T00:00:00 12a6aadf-55fe-4879-b99d-22d06299b36a 1000000 FRIDAY ROUND UP We’re expecting big things from the Friday at this year's Reading Festval, mainly due to the fact that Rage will be tearing the place apart on the main stage later on for the first time since, well, since they played their last UK gig here, eight years ago.  To keep us going in the meantime, however, we thought it would be for the best to take our minds off it and watching some of the other attractions the arena has to offer. First up on the menu was Southend’s These New Puritans on the Festival Republic stage, who tear through a set culled mainly from their debut released earlier in the year and instant classics such as ‘Elvis’ and ‘En Papier’ get those in the know bouncing to their taught and angular electro post-punk with delight while everyone else just seems a little confused by the cacophony. Though we did catch a little bit of Dizzee Rascal hyping the main stage crowd by dropping straight into ‘He’s Just A Rascal’ getting the field moving early on. A shame we were off elsewhere then. Later on Friendly Fires get the ball rolling for an evening of synth-laden indie-pop/jerky punk that’s oh so of-the-moment. Luckily they have the tracks to back it up and a set including singles “Photobooth’ as well as Jamie Principal and Frankie Knuckles classic, ‘Your Love’ is a delight to behold and culminates in what seems less festival appearance as an entire carnival on stage with endless confetti being fired out into the crowd. All a good thing. Following this up are French band, The Teenagers who answer the question as to whether they’re trend-following scenesters or a genuine pop act and in it for the long haul by reeling out an array of this from their recent debut and hyping an ecstatic crowd who fully lose-it when underground electro-hit and raunchy classic in the making ‘Homecoming’ is doled out. Perfect pop music for a sunny afternoon in a big green field. Next on were Castle Donnington’s Late Of The Pier, who, fresh of the back of releasing the most hyped debut record of the year, are evidently going to be this year’s band to have seen. With the tent packed to the rafters and splitting at the scenes the proceed with a familiar set that never gets stale and everyone promptly goes bananas to big single ‘Space And The Woods’ and does stop for love nor money. This is a flawless set from a band that is only going to go through the stratosphere. THE band to say you saw, even if you were asleep back in camp. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-22T00:00:00 962abf53-3357-4316-8719-9a9de9f8ebfe 1000000 READING OPENS THE GATES The Reading & Leeds Festivals are back for their annual invasion with another incredible line-up in tow. In fact, this weekend is probably going to be THE place to this summer as Rage Against The Machine are back to headline the opening day of the festival with their first in England since they split after their last show in the UK in 2000, along with exclusives from The Killers and Metallica. Over the course of the weekend we’re expecting to be rocked by the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, The Fratellis, Vampire Weekend, electro-upstarts Late Of The Pier, MGMT and Babyshambles alongside the traditional atypical sets of the day from Dizzee Rascal and an incredibly rare solo set from System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian. And that’s just for today!  Over the rest of the weekend we’re looking forward to seeing such genre luminaries as CSS, Bloc Party, The Raconteurs, Manic Street Preachers, Feeder, the rock and roll electro act of the year, Justice and a host of England’s own top new bands such as Mystery Jets, Foals, The Ting Tings and The Last Shadow Puppets along with the best the world has to offer with Santogold, Seasick Steve, Pendulum and ex-Moldy Peaches frontman, Adam Green.  With a line up this strong we’re setting up for the best weekend of our lives, and you should be too. Join us for more gossip and festival news... Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-22T00:00:00 769820ac-a6ab-4633-8ce1-3ce00baae019 1000000 TAKING BACK SUNDAY | MAIN STAGE A new american classic from the New York quintet Bounding on just after 2pm with more style and energy that any other band that'd played so far - very commendable we reckon, considering how early their slot was, Taking Back Sunday took to the main stage. Though we would like to point out that singer Adam Lazzara did keep his shades on throughout (despite it not being very sunny). Rough night, mate? Despite this, his vocals were top notch.  The hits came thick and fast - from classics like 'Where you Want To Be' and 'Tell All Your Friends' to their most recent crowd-pleasers - 'Liar, Liar' and 'Twenty Twenty Surgery'- and new songs from their forthcoming fourth LP, the band's rousing performance ensured that all attended were ready and raring to go for the next act. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-22T00:00:00 7b55a555-b790-4e52-8aa7-e32ad8283742 1000000 ALL TICKETS SOLD OUT All tickets at the Reading box office have now sold out. The box office is only open for ticket collections/pick ups. All day and weekend tickets have now sold out from the on site box office at Reading. There are no tickets left at all. Please also note, day ticket holders are not allowed to camp. Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-21T00:00:00 ffcfa93e-93c8-463f-8fdb-16c193ed4bf7 1000000 SLIPKNOT CANCEL Due to injury, the band have cancelled their appearances at Reading & Leeds. Festival Republic are sorry to announce that Slipknot have had to cancel their appearances at Leeds and Reading this weekend. Statement from Slipknot: To Our Fans: It is with huge regret and disappointment that we have been forced to cancel our imminent festival appearances at Leeds and Reading. The other night, Joey Jordison broke his ankle and doctors have advised Joey to stay off his leg for 4-6 weeks to prevent further injury or permanent and more serious damage. We know you will be hugely disappointed and so are we. Cancelling shows is never an easy decision and we apologize to all our fans, friends and family for not being there to throw down with you.  Stay (sic), Slipknot Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-20T00:00:00 c16a865e-8868-444c-b7da-f7a03528b66d 1000000 WRISTBAND EXCHANGES. ALL CHANGE! There are three new wristband exchanges this year There are three new wristband exchanges this year, one as you leave white car park to enter the campsite to cross the river, one just before green gate and one in red camp, and they replace the one that used to be by Reaper Bridge.   These are now for first time entry and so you will be wristbanded on your first arrival to the site, rather than show your tickets. They open when the site does at 8am Thursday, or 6pm Wed if you have an Early Bird ticket.   You must pass through these tents with your tickets in order to gain access to the campsites and arena. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-19T00:00:00 c51be1cf-6227-4c80-9cc7-d5231de4a766 1000000 BOX OFFICES – BOTH OF THEM…. Box office collections from Red Box Office and White Box Office. There are now two cabins on site dealing with tickets paid for by credit card to be collected on site – 1.  Red Box office in red camp by the Rivermead Centre just off Richfield Avenue, this is for people coming in from green car park and also arriving from the town centre.  Please follow the signs for the new route here into site.  You will no longer walk the length of Richfield Ave to get into site but will come in earlier before the Rivermead Centre. 2.  White box office in white zone at the entrance to the campsite is for those parking in white car park.  Guests/press and disabled check-in however is still go to the old cabin location by O’Malley Alley, off Richfield Ave Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-19T00:00:00 433e86d9-dc22-4617-bac4-86b72b3ba04b 1000000 TWISTED WHEEL FREE DOWNLOAD Another free track for you to listen to... Another Reading and Leeds act ‘Twisted Wheel’ have a free download available. All you need to do is fill in your details at the link below to get a free copy of the song ‘Smash It Up’. And if you like what you hear, they'll be playing the Festival Republic Stage on Saturday. <a href="http://de.click2music.co.uk/click2music_new/datagen_v2/pages/00025267001.php">Click here to download</a> Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-14T00:00:00 7baa908f-3a64-47d6-aee4-845a583cd3f1 1000000 GLASVEGAS OFFER A FREE DOWNLOAD Listen to 'Go Square Go' for FREE What a year 2008 has been for Glasvegas. Winners of the NME Philip Hall Radar Award recognising the Glaswegian four piece as the most exciting new band of the year, an NME cover in recent weeks and a growing feeling that the year is set to be theirs as shows grow in size and critics across the board talk about them as the find of the year. This is likely to be the only chance to see them on a small festival stage and we advise you to take it. Until then, Glasvegas are offering a free download of 'Go Square Go 'recorded live at Glasgow's ABC2. All you need to do is text SQUARE to 80988 (standard operator network charges apply). Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-13T00:00:00 b894f779-803d-4d93-8322-41c3a102b4ab 1000000 A FEW MORE CAR PARKING PASSES AVAILABLE White Car Park A few more car parking passes have been put on White Car Park (From West /M4) and White Car Park (From NWest/B'Ham) They are free, however by booking online, the transaction incurs a booking fee. <a href="http://seetickets.com/readingandleeds/price.asp?code=262573&filler1=see&filler2=multisee">Click here to purchase</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-13T00:00:00 738f695e-21f4-4adf-ae2a-409842b1b5ea 1000000 READING SITE MAP Check out the Reading site layout <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/j/t/w/Read08 sitemap 13.8.pdf"><img alt="" src="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/j/t/w/Image/Read08-sitemap-13.300.jpg" /></a>  <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/j/t/w/Read08 sitemap 13.8.pdf">Click here to download</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-13T00:00:00 5ab29523-6fd6-4187-88be-617ad98b3865 1000000 NME.com READER POLL Which bands are you most excited about seeing at Reading and Leeds festivals? As the UK's greatest rock-fest gets ready to roll, which bands are you getting fired up about?  Let NME know here: <a href="http://www.nme.com/votereadingleeds">http://www.nme.com/votereadingleeds</a> Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-11T00:00:00 79db1cd5-a9b0-4a76-ac5c-2d6641fccfb1 1000000 ARENA ENTRANCE CONDITIONS Please read and familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions. 1. Artists and billed attractions may be subject to change.  2. The promoter reserves the right to refuse admission and refund the ticket value. 3. The promoter is unable to accept liability for personal damages, losses, or injuries sustained at this if the cause is due to the negligence of the ticket holder or the unforeseeable actions of other patrons. 4. CCTV, headcams and film crews will be present on-site. As a condition of sale ticket holders consent to being filmed or recorded. 5. Persons suspected of carrying items deemed offensive or dangerous, or carrying out illegal activities may be searched. 6. Anyone resisting confiscation of disallowed items or disregarding these conditions will face eviction. 7. The following items cannot be brought onto the festival site: illegal substances, portable laser equipment and pens, unauthorised recording equipment, air horns, spray cans, glass containers, fireworks and flares. All items will be confiscated. 8. The following items also cannot be taken into the arena: alcohol, cans and large opened drinks bottles. 9. Sealed water bottles 500ml and under may be bought into the arena. 10. Food for personal consumption only may be allowed into the arena. 11. You may be body searched at the entrance. 12. No animals other than guide dogs are permitted on site. 13. No fires are permitted in the arena. 14. Strictly no trading allowed within the arena or campsites without the promoters consent. 15. Please use the litterbins provided. 16. To protect your own safety and those of other guests, please act responsibly. 17. Smoking is not permitted in enclosed public spaces or buildings. 18. Wristbands remain the property of Festival Republic until 12 noon Bank Holiday Monday August. 19. WARNING: EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO LOUD MUSIC MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR HEARING Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-11T00:00:00 6ce34a81-90a1-4d94-ac51-e62edd890855 1000000 WRISTBAND EXCHANGE TENTS T&Cs Please read and familiarise yourself with the new Wristband Exchange Tents T&Cs 1. No refunds other than on cancellation or substantial alteration of the event. 2. Artist and billed attractions may be subject to change 3. No Readmission on ticket (only on wristband) .Tickets are non-transferable. 4. Please exchange your ticket for a wristband at the Wristband Exchange before entering the site. You are responsible for your ticket until it is exchanged for a wristband.  Please refer to point five of the Terms & Conditions above (lost and stolen tickets).  5. The promoter will not issue duplicate tickets for lost or stolen tickets. 6. Tickets are only valid when purchased from official agents of Reading Festival. Tickets bought from other sources will be refused admission. 7. Wristbands remain the property of Festival Republic until 12 noon Bank Holiday Monday August. 8. In order to facilitate the security, safety and comfort of all our guests the management reserves the right to refuse admission and refund the tickets value. 9. Entry will only be permitted on production of valid tickets. Tickets are only valid when presented in full. Tickets without stubs, defaced or otherwise incomplete will not be accepted for admission (please refer to point of purchase prior to the event in the case of accidental damage). 10. Tickets cannot be used as part of any marketing, media or sales promotion, whether commercial or non commercial, without the prior written consent of Reading Festival. 11. No unaccompanied under 16's. Under 16s must be accompanied by someone who is over 18. 12. Children under 13 (12 years old and under) are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult.  13. Reading Festival are unable to accept liability for personal damages, losses, or injuries sustained at this event - including damage and losses to property and motor vehicles, if the cause is due to the negligence of the ticket holder or the unforeseeable actions of other patrons. 14. Strictly no trading allowed within the event without the Premises Licence Holder's consent. 15. Excessive amounts of food, cigarettes and alcohol may be refused entry to the site. Please only bring enough for personal consumption. 16. Fires are not permitted in the arena. The burning of plastics are not permitted anywhere on site.  Throwing gas, aerosol or similar canisters or containers on to fires is extremely dangerous and will lead to eviction from site. 17. Smoking is not permitted in enclosed public spaces or buildings. 18. WARNING: EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO LOUD MUSIC MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR HEARING Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-11T00:00:00 9af1b74d-7dd2-40d1-bff1-9e1b7059f325 1000000 TUBORG AFTERSHOW - KEEPS THE PARTY GOING Are you going to Reading or Leeds festival this summer and fancy getting hold of the perfect Aftershow party package to carry on the fun with your friends? Tuborg have come up with the perfect solution to those post festival blues -  Tuborg Aftershow - the best way to keep the party spirit going! Four winners will have a choice between 2 prize packages (dance or rock/indie) so there’s something for everyone’s musical taste. ? 80GB iPod Classics, music downloads, iPod speaker systems and iDJ systems take care of those all important sounds ? Four cases of Tuborg provide the necessary liquid refreshment. ? There’s “money can’t buy” signed festival posters to impress your mates ? A subscription to the music magazine of your choice to keep you informed on what’s happening in your music scene ? Tiickets to 2009 festivals so you’ve got something to look forward to for next year, and ? Gig tickets to ensure you get your live music fix in the meantime. That’s some prize package! Check out <a href="http://www.tuborgmusic.com">www.tuborgmusic.com</a> for details on how to enter and how to download your Tuborg money-off vouchers - redeemable against pints of Tuborg in selected bars and packs of Tuborg in major supermarkets and off licence chains. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-08T00:00:00 2415e515-830d-4271-9456-a3a17caeec6c 1000000 PODPADS Last few remaining....get your shot of luxury onsite at Reading <div class="tickets_details">Set up in a bespoke village area (with security and private facilities/services) the ‘podpads’ offer that touch of luxury and style whilst at the same time taking away all the hassles of carrying, erecting and breaking down your camp when you’re there. Your ‘podpad’ is already built and furnished for your arrival and when you leave, just return the keys and drive away. It is the future of alternative accommodation for the discerning Festival-goer Your ‘podpad’ comes decorated and a groundsheet, a fitted carpet, shelving, interior strip-light and additional 12v power socket on request, a vanity mirror and a lock on the front door. Single, double or twin beds (with airbeds) are standard for increased comfort, with useful storage space underneath. Three sliding tinted windows with curtains provide for ventilation and light, allowing you to look out whilst restricting vision in.    Eco-friendly, the ‘podpads’’ are solar-powered by the fabulous iconic sunflower solar panels. ‘Podpads’ are weatherproof, relatively soundproof, secure, safe and cosy. <a href="http://www.podpads.com">www.podpads.com</a>  <a href="http://www.podpads.com"><img height="100" alt="" width="100" src="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/Image/logo250.jpg" /></a></div> Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-07T00:00:00 dc12f68f-5b1b-4371-9e31-63aee5da46aa 1000000 TANGERINE FIELDS Tangerine Fields brings a new camping service to the Reading Festival. Leave your tent at home and book into a ready pitched, fully equipped tent set in chilled out riverside surroundings on the festival site, Forget battling with pegs and poles and hunting for friends, book a ready pitched and fully equipped tent and let someone else do all that work for you.  A bit of extra festival luxury without burning a hole in your pocket.  From only £52.50* per head for the whole weekend you have access to: - Entrance to the Tangerine Fields - Exclusive use of hot showers and toilets...just for our customers Our staff will be on hand over the weekend to help you with any problems (*based on 2 persons sharing, does not include festival ticket.) Choose from 2, 4 and 6 man tents and the sleeping essentials.  We're the most eco-option going.  Everything gets cleaned and re-used, except sleeping bags which are passed onto various local and national charities. In the Tangerine Field, we'll also have tipis and podpads if you’re looking for something a bit different for the weekend.  Visit <a href="http://www.tangerinefields.co.uk/">www.tangerinefields.co.uk</a> for more information and bookings for tipis, and <a href="http://www.podpads.com">www.podpads.com</a> Accessories Double Airbed (Inflated) Double sized & fabric covered. You must have a tent booking to order an airbed £20.00    Brand New Sleeping Bag Yours to keep or we give to charity. £17.00    Special Tangerine Area Packages  FR 2 Person Package 2 person tent with double airbed and 2 sleeping bags. Price includes entrance for 2 to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers only. £155.00    FR 4 Person Package 2 sleeping rooms, with central area high enough to stand in, 2 double airbeds, 4 sleeping bags. Price includes entrance for 4 people to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers only. £340.00    FR 6 Person Package 6 person dome tent (3 sleeping rooms), with very spacious central area high enough to stand in, 3 double airbeds, 6 sleeping bags. Price includes entrance for 6 people to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers only. £500.00    Special Tangerine Area Tent Only FR 2 Person tent 2 Person tent with porch ( actually a 3 person tent) Price includes entrance for 2 people to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers £105.00    FR 4 Person tent 2 sleeping rooms, with central area high enough to stand in. Price includes entrance for 4 people to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers £240.00    FR 6 Person tent 6 person dome tent (3 sleeping rooms), with very spacious central area high enough to stand in. Price includes entrance for 6 people to 'The Tangerine Field' - A seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers only. £360.00  Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-07T00:00:00 56d7d792-84e3-49e3-88ea-1bf6bfe65979 1000000 THE SALVATION ARMY They are always here ready to offer you any help that they can. With the exception of 1 year, Reading Salvation Army has been a key feature at the Reading Festival since it first arrived al those years ago in 1971. They are here again this year, offering their usual non-stop 24-hour service. Free counselling, advice, problem sharing, blankets, sleeping bags and even clothes! In addition they offer tea, coffee, soup (with plain rolls) and a service with a large smile and a small price. The staff are all volunteers and all money raised goes to local and international charities where the demand for help from the Salvation Army is continually needed. Although primarily a Church they are renowned throughout the World for their goodwill and aid to disadvantaged countries and people. Over the years they have raised over £75,000 thanks to the fans and their generosity each year. Their marquee is close to it’s usual location on G4 road, near the Green camping area and between the river and the main area. Why not pay them a visit? Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-06T00:00:00 a3eef9ec-ca64-4b21-b5bf-92ddf5b6bdd6 1000000 CINEMA SCREENINGS See Speed Racer, Jumper, Iron Man, The Simpsons Movie, I Am Legend, Cloverfield and Film Shorts The cinema runs from midnight – 4.00am See this year's movie hits in the Dance Tent. FRIDAY 12.00 midnight-  SHORTS: ETA (Junk Collective) (PG) Userguides: Defending Oneself from attack (Richard Fenwick) (12) Pencil Face  (Christian Simmons) (PG) Roar (Oxfam) (U) How to Pick Up Girls (Dan Giltsham) (15) 12.15am FEATURE - SPEED RACER (PG) 02.30am FEATURE – JUMPER (12A) SATURDAY 12.00 midnight – SHORTS: Ethical Rhythm (Oxfam) (U) Thunderheist – Jerk it (That Go) (U) Moon Shot  (James Harris) (U) Typolution (Olivier Beaudoin) (U) Little Minx Exquisite Corpse: Rope a Dope (Laurent Briet) (PG) Bloom:Beijing Dance (LuLu Li) (U) Spider (Nash Edgerton) (15) 12.25am FEATURE - IRON MAN (12A) 02.30am FEATURE – THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (PG) SUNDAY 12.00 midnight SHORTS: The Game (Steven Lall) (U) Big Ideas – don’t get any (James Houston) (U) Weightless (Erika Janunger) (U) Himsa – Big Timber (Jared Eberhardt) (12) From Poverty to Power (Oxfam) (PG) Beangrowers:Not in a Million Lovers (Duncan Bone) (U) Little Minx Exquisite Corpse:Waffles for Breakfast (Josh Miller) (15) 12.30am FEATURE - I AM LEGEND (15) 02.10am FEATURE – CLOVERFIELD (15) Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-06T00:00:00 a4ed9e65-a995-49d9-aeaa-1038c6908000 1000000 PHILIPS SOUNDSHAVES Look out for Philips SoundShaves at Reading festival. Look out for Philips SoundShaves at Reading festival. From our VW camper van HQ we'll be pumping out tunes and offering soundtracked stylin' with the saviours of shave! Our team of SoundStylists will be cruising the campsites to give male festival go-ers the chance to enjoy razor sharp style and look good for the whole festival. Pick a look that suits your choice of music and get your hair trimmed, face shaved or facial hair styled while enjoying the music you selected! Learn more at <a href="http://www.soundshaves.co.uk">www.soundshaves.co.uk</a>. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-05T00:00:00 f8aa1b52-f8d1-428c-95a5-fbcc0576917d 1000000 THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE ANNOUNCED Back for its second year at the festival of the summer, The Alternative Stage will once again be the centre of all things creative. Spoken word, comedy, cabaret, film and unique musical collaborations permeate the line-up with late night entertainment offering a myriad of ways to let your hair down once the bands finish.  This year the stage hosts a world class line-up of acclaimed performers and some very special moments whilst Leeds once again gets the party started early with everything kicking off on Thursday night. Confirmed artists Our Spoken Word headliners over the weekend are John Cooper Clarke, Henry Rollins, Jeffrey Lewis. Plus George Pringle, Chris Hicks, Ross Sutherland, Beans On Toast, Tim Clare, Byron Vincent, Dockers MC. The Comedy lineup includes Brendon Burns, Stephen Lynch, Adam Hills, Michael McIntyre, Phill Jupitus and they'll be supported by Robin Ince, Steve Gribbin, Arnab Chanda,Alistair Barrie, Jason Rouse, Cole Parker, The Reverend Obidiah Steppenwolf, Milton Jones, DOKTORCOCACOLAMACDONALDS, Rob Rouse, Christian Reilly, Trevor Lock, Mitch Benn, Steve Weiner, Hugh Lennon, Jarred Christmas, Rufus Hound, Ian Moore, Pete Johannson, Sean Walsh, Al Pitcher, Yianni Agisilaou, Adam Bloom Bullah The Most Dangerous Man In The World. Late Night Entertainment Film & Music Transgressive Records (Present Jeremy Warmsley, So So Modern, Mechanical Bride, Three Trapped Tigers), Fur TV, The Tracey Fragments, Pens, Youth Movie Soundtrack Strategies presents Tracey Remixed by Buzzard Buzzard, Heavy Metal in Baghdad, A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures, Warm Puppies, Chris Shepherd Shorts, Crazy Girl Shorts Cabaret & Burlesque Lucha Britannia Club Nights with a difference Smash N' Grab Grind A Go Go A whole cornucopia of entertainment awaits for you over the weekend at The Alternative Stage. We look forward to seeing you there. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:00:00 GMT 2008-08-04T19:00:00 cce02f8b-6976-41e1-98db-74c3949429f8 1000000 SILENT DISCO Head to the Silent Disco after the bands finish. As if exclusive performances galore, the biggest bands in the world, the coolest bands around and a whole host of late night entertainment and daytime and evening spoken word, comedy and films on the just announced Alternative Stage weren’t enough, we have announced yet more entertainment for those lucky enough to have tickets for the summer event of 2008. At both sites when the bands stop the music doesn’t as the SILENT DISCO returns with the Silent Disco hosts doing battle with guests Steve Lamacq, Bethan Elfyn & the Vinyl Vendettas and My Ex Boyfriends Records in what is still the strangest sight to anyone not wearing headphones and one of our consistently popular late night treats. The headphones are free on a first come- first served basis. We’re just weeks away from the ‘greatest rock n roll show on earth’ but keep checking for more updates. Reading (Fri – Sun) 22.00 – 04.00 - 22.00 – 23.00 and 03.00 – 04.00 Silent Disco Dj’s Dj No and Dj Steven Gut - 23.00 – 03.00 Silent Disco Djs vs Bethan Elfyn and the Vinyl Vendettas, Steve Lamacq and My Ex Boyfriends Records Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:00:00 GMT 2008-08-04T19:00:00 90701f00-be4a-47a1-99e2-a47bccb5309f 1000000 READING WEATHER Check out the local weather. Fingers crossed... Reading Festival is just around the corner, but as with all outdoor events, make sure you bring clothes for all weather. <a href="http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/event_forecast.asp?eventID=474">Click here for the Weather Forecast</a> Key Ingredients of a good festival; mix in a large field for three days, stir occasionally and bring to the boil, season to taste. Remember when packing that glass is not allowed onsite Entry Ticket Money / Cash Card Clothing for all seasons Sleeping Bag / Blanket Tent Travel Ticket Home Camera (for personal use) Mobile Phone Sun Cream & a Hat Tin Opener & Bottle Opener Tissues Toiletries and Towel Torch Wet Wipes Dry Clean socks Strong shoes Insect Repellant Any medications that you need Only bring what you can afford to lose. There is no way you can make a tent secure. We would encourage you not to bring anything that would cause unnecessary rubbish. Clean up after yourself and have brilliant weekend. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT 2008-08-04T03:00:00 fa1b83b5-9ba4-4ba2-8b27-e97286e7e7a6 1000000 CLUB NME AT READING Get the party started with Club NME from Thursday <div>Start the festival early on Thursday night with a DJ set from Pendulum and MC Verse and Club NME DJ's. The party continues on Friday from 10pm with a live performance from These New Puritans.  After the main stages have closed down you can continue the party every night at Club NME at the Rivermead Leisure Centre.  Beat the queue at the door and buy your ticket for Thursday in advance from <a title="http://seetickets.com/see/event.asp?e%7Cartist=CLUB+NME+READING&n| href=" velocityuk.livenation.co.uk="" ea-cgiuk="" href="http://seetickets.com/see/event.asp?e%7Cartist=CLUB+NME+READING+%2D+FESTIVAL+TICKET+HOLDERS+ONLY&n|artist=null&resultsperpage=20&filler1=see&filler2=art-srch">www.seetickets.com</a>  Thursday: </div> <div>Pendulum DJ’s + MC Verse</div> <div>Holy Fuck</div> <div>Club NME DJ’s  </div> <div>Friday: </div> <div>These New Puritans</div> <div>Dj’s: Jeff Automatic (Club NME Koko)</div> <div>Club NME DJ’s  </div> <div>Saturday:</div> <div>Fucked Up</div> <div>DJ’s: Jeff Automatic (Club NME Koko)</div> <div>Club NME DJ’s  </div> <div>Sunday:</div> <div>Johnny Foreigner</div> <div>DJ’s: Jeff Automatic (Club NME Koko)</div> <div>Club NME DJ’s</div> Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-04T00:00:00 9312d312-4a89-4708-803f-10fc5a3f5e4a 1000000 TRAINS TO READING A few more travel options if you haven't got your travel sorted... You can walk to site from Reading station which is approximately a 15 minute walk from the site, but if you prefer you will be able to get a shuttle bus as Reading Bus shuttle buses will take you from the station to the site and back.  Please see their website <a href="http://www.reading-buses.co.uk">www.reading-buses.co.uk</a> for further information and their timetable. See also information on the Plus Bus scheme whereby you can buy your bus ticket at the same time that you buy your train ticket - <a href="http://www.plusbus.info/">http://www.plusbus.info/</a> Train times, prices and availability are available from the following sources – 1.       National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or <a href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk">www.nationalrail.co.uk</a> .  We suggest that you use National Rail to ask about any planned engineering works too. 2.       First Great Western on 08457 000 125 or <a href="http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk">www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk</a> 3.       South Eastern Railway on <a href="http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk">www.southeasternrailway.co.uk</a>. 4.       Cross Country Trains on <a href="http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk">www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk</a> crosscountrytrains.co.uk have two extra services running through Reading on the 24th specifically for the festival so there are lots of extra seats available and prices as low as £2! Plus for a limited time you can save an extra 10% off select advance tickets simply by entering the promo code OFFER at <a href="http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/sale">www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/sale</a>  Typical prices for advance fares to Reading are: - Manchester – Reading from £11.00 - Oxford – Reading from £2 5.       Virgin Trains on <a href="http://www.virgin.co.uk">www.virgin.co.uk</a> or 08457 222 333. For more local information, you could also get a timetable from your local railway station. Network Rail also have a helpline number 08457 11 41 41 For those coming from the South East, Reading Station is 35 minutes by train from Paddington or 80 minutes by train from Waterloo. Tilehurst Stn is approx 25 mins walk from the site. Thames Trains run from Tilehurst to Oxford, Slough and Paddington with stops or connections to many other destinations. For bookings call Thames Trains on 08457 300 700 <a href="http://www.thamestrains.co.uk">www.thamestrains.co.uk</a> Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-02T00:00:00 ef780f89-649b-416d-8623-de7dd2a88396 1000000 FORGET TENTS, TRY A MYHAB Last few myhabs available, check your self into comfy hassle free camping at Reading this year myhab is here! These 2 person myhabs are the exciting new eco-friendly way to stay at festivals.  YOU BOOK. WE SET UP. YOU USE. WE TAKE DOWN. WE RECYCLE. The award winning design uses recyclable plastic and reinforced waterproof cardboard to create a sturdy, spacious, comfy, and importantly green alternative to a tent. Why is it better than a tent? - We set up and take it down, so all you have to do is turn up and have a good time! - myhabs are situated within ‘myvillage’, an exclusive area for you and other myhabers. - The area comes complete with well maintained toilets and showers and on-hand staff - Built in locker to keep your valuables safe - Very spacious, comfy double bed - myhabs are raised off the ground - You can personalise the myhab by creating your own festival character online Intrigued? Check out more at:   <a href="http://www.myhab.com/">www.myhab.com</a> Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT 2008-08-01T07:00:00 9a9482b3-2eab-43fb-810d-80b3174ec3b5 1000000 FOOD TRADERS ONSITE Check out this year's prices Every year our food traders are inspected and monitored by Reading Borough Council Environmental Officers and this year they will be awarded a star rating that will be on show and so you will be able to see who has been awarded the highest food safety rating.  5 is the highest and 0 is the lowest. <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/PriceList.pdf">Click here for 2008 prices</a> Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-08-01T00:00:00 131f41c9-2150-4bc2-b313-58971f231555 1000000 RECORD-BREAKING ROCK OUT AT READING Bring your air guitar to Reading festival to break a world record and say bollocks to poverty On Thursday 21 August, charity ActionAid will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘largest air guitar ensemble’ and where better to gather together hundreds of wannabe rockers than Reading Festival? The charity is inviting all festival goers to their Bollocks to Poverty tent, a regular feature at Reading, to take part in the record breaking attempt on the first evening of the festival. Leading the crowd will be ‘expert’ air guitarist and UK Air Guitar Championships regular, Dave ‘Wildman’ Pickles. A representative from the Guinness Book of Records will also be on hand to check entrants abide by the stringent rules. All air guitars must be played correctly and consistently in order to qualify.  With the current record standing at a meagre 22 participants, ActionAid feel’s confident Reading fans will enter into the true spirit of air guitar and together, they can thrash this record. The most important part of the attempt, the tune itself, is still being kept top secret as ActionAid representatives trawl their Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Guns N Roses collections, debating whether to keep it classic or surprise the crowd with something a bit more inventive. The same weekend as the record-breaking attempt, hundreds more nimble fingered rock-lovers will be descending on the unsuspecting city of Oulu in Finland for the World Air Guitar Championships (including the winner of the UK Air Guitar Championships, decided on 8 August). Once considered only the pastime of wannabe 80’s rockers and long-haired Bohemian Rhapsody fans, it seems that air guitar is definitely back in style.  Check out some of our favourite Air Guitar action: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl_PYKU4Ix0&feature=related">Beach</a>                                     <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpI6ItoOMaA&feature=related">Street</a>   <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6UlXSEDAcI&feature=related">Newsagents</a>                            <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-MZmxdO6cc&feature=related">Pond</a> So limber up your fingers and get ready to strum your stuff for charity……… See <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bollockstopoverty">www.myspace.com/bollockstopoverty</a> for all the details. Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-30T00:00:00 97c21fb5-330b-4b11-b7be-cad658c17821 1000000 BBC INTRODUCING STAGE ANNOUNCED BBC Introducing brings together the best unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music, artists and DJs from across the BBC This year sees the debut of the BBC Introducing Stage at both Reading and Leeds Festivals. Whilst the lucky folk at Leeds had the unsigned stage in years gone by, now both sites will get a chance to see the next generation of UK music over the weekend. The bands on the stage are chosen by a combination of the BBC - through their UK-wide network of Introducing shows and a panel of music experts led by Huw Stephens, Sandman magazine and Leeds based promoters Futuresound. Huw Stephens said; "Reading and Leeds is the festival for new music and so to have Introducing there is very exciting. The line-up for the stage offers a whole load of new talent and compliments the array of new artists playing." Live sets from the Introducing stage will be available at bbc.co.uk/introducing and the BBC’s Reading and Leeds Festival site at bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds. The Unsigned Stages at Leeds in the past have helped the likes of Twisted Wheel and Polytechnic land record deals. This year sees a few bands already making significant waves in the industry on the bill with Northern Ireland’s General Fiasco and London’s Ipso Facto already well known by A & R and cutting edge media types alike. The BBC Introducing Stage will feature the following bands throughout the weekend with more names to be announced shortly. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/attackattackband">Attack Attack</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thecherrycobbcartel">The Cherry Cobb Cartel</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/darlingsofthesplitscreen">Darlings of the Split Screen</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/eurekamachines">Eureka Machines</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/fangsfangsfangs">Fangs</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/weareffers">FF'ers</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/flashguns">Flash Guns</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/foxcubs">Fox Cubs</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/generalfiasco">General Fiasco</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hungryghostsuk">Hungry Ghosts</a>  <a href="http://www.iconcur.co.uk/">I Concur</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ipsofactomyspace">Ipso Facto</a>  <a href="http://www.kidid.co.uk/">Kid iD</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thelastpeopleonearth">The Last People on Earth</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/loqui">Loqui</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/themaybesliverpool">The Maybes?</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thenewyorkfund">The New York Fund</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ourfold">Our Fold</a>  <a href="http://www.outfromanimals.com/">Out From Animals</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pulledapartbyhorses">Pulled Apart By Horses</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/razmatazlorryexcitement">Razmataz Lorry Excitement</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/situationists">Situationists</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/salvationandtheskeletons">Skeletons</a> <a href="http://www.thatfuckingtank.com/">That F**king Tank</a>  <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thomastantrum">Thomas Tantrum</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jazzbongo">Tiger Shadow</a>   <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tripwires">Tripwires</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:00:00 GMT 2008-07-28T20:00:00 443d606f-b6f1-4038-8971-15198dfc68c0 1000000 VOLUNTEER AT READING FESTIVAL AND GET FREE ENTRY Campsite Assistant Teams (CATs) and Helpful Arena Teams (HATs) - Now Full All CATS positions have now been filled. Thanks to all those that applied.   For more information please visit <a href="http://www.dcsiteservices.com/cats/">www.dcsiteservices.com/cats/</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:15:00 GMT 2008-07-28T02:15:00 981a933c-7db2-47c0-b0f9-2f8a86b4729c 1000000 ANTI FLAG ANNOUNCED FOR LOCK UP STAGE You decide their set...get voting now. <div>In addition to their already announced set on the Main Stage on Friday 22nd at Reading and Saturday 23rd at Leeds, ANTI FLAG will also play The Lock-Up Stage on the same day before headline sets from Pennywise and Less Than Jake. But, that’s not all. This very special Anti-Flag show will have a set list decided by the fans. This is sure to be a highlight of the festival for all fans of the band and for the band themselves, as they explain.</div> <div> </div> <div>"Being able to play the main stage at Reading and Leeds and bring the Anti-Flag sense of community to the main field is pretty fucking cool, but to get to do a second show in the Lock-Up tent the same day, allowing the community to pick the setlist we play......well, it doesn't get much better. We want everyone to go to pickrset.com and suggest away. We're expecting some gems we've not played in a long time to make it to the Lock-Up tent." </div> <div>Follow the link <a href="http://www.pickrset.com/bands/antiflag/">http://www.pickrset.com/bands/antiflag/</a> and vote for your favourite songs to be played by Anti-Flag on their special Lockup stage set at Reading & Leeds festivals.</div> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-22T00:00:00 30efbb87-934c-4ffb-97a9-17a43d7a3220 1000000 COACH INFORMATION Important information for those travelling by coach to Reading IMPORTANT INFORMATION  Coach tickets will be dispatched to you no later than 8th August 2008. When you receive your ticket, please note that on there will be the times of departure to and from the festival and the pick up point from the town you are travelling from. The coach number shown on your ticket is the coach number you MUST board. Unfortunately you cannot change your coach departure time or coach number. To board the coach you must show your coach ticket to the driver. If you are collecting your coach ticket on the coach, please show identification and your reference number to the driver. They will give you your ticket. Please keep hold of your coach ticket for your return journey, you will need it to get home! Your Festival Entry Tickets will ONLY be distributed once the coach has left the pick up point. They will be handed out mid journey and again only when shown with a valid coach ticket. You MUST board the coach to receive your Festival Entry Tickets. <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/d/l/n/ReadingCoachPickUpPoints(1).pdf">Reading Pick Up Points - Thursday 21st August</a> <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/d/l/n/READING-OUTGOING-MONDAY25th.pdf">Reading Departure Times - Monday 25th August</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-22T00:00:00 47dda785-de86-4d36-bf81-04b93fb204b0 1000000 UBISOFT AT READING Love games as much as you love music ? Love games as much as you love music ? Then make sure you swing by Ubisoft’s action-packed Games Area at Reading Festival. You’ll be amongst the first in the world to play great new games like Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, Soulcalibur IV, Tom Clancy’s HAWX and End War, plus fun games for the Nintendo Wii including Sports Party and Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party. And if you <a href="http://contest.ubi.com/UK_SUMMERFESTIVALREADINGUK/en-GB/Main.aspx">click here</a> now, we’ll have a Swag Bag - complete with exclusive merchandise – reserved specially for you. You’ll also get the chance to enter our Grand Festival Prize Draw, which means you could walk away with the ultimate gaming package: a 42" Philips TV, an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii console, plus a selection of fantastic games.  See you there. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-21T00:00:00 c4c769c0-dfed-45bc-9870-91b604c030a7 1000000 FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE ANNOUNCED The Reading and Leeds Festival is getting closer and the line-up just keeps getting better. Not content with booking the headliners of the summer, including exclusive performances from the likes of Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, The Killers and The Last Shadow Puppets, we are proud to announce the line-up for the first Festival Republic Stage.  Packed with all the new names you have read about throughout the year, the stage is the first port of call for anyone looking to see the next big things now.  Over the weekend, NME cover stars Glasvegas, chart topper Wiley, the Kerrang tipped Elliot Minor and many more will make the first Festival Republic Stage another arena of rock history in the 20th year of the modern Reading Festival and the 10th year of the Leeds Festival. The Festival Republic stage features Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Elliot Minor, The Kills, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, The Audition, Wiley, Late Of The Pier, All Time Low, Glasvegas Plus: Black Acid, Black Kids, Black Tide, Cage The Elephant, Collapsing Cities, Emmy The Great, Fight Like Apes, Fighting With Wire, Florence And The Machine, Friendly Fires, Ida Maria, In Case Of Fire, Johnny Foreigner, Jubilee, Los Campesinos!, Louis XIV, Lovvers, Natty, Sergeant, TeenagersInTokyo, The Rascals, The Teenagers, These New Puritans, Twisted Wheel, White Denim, White Lies, Wild Beasts, You Me At 6 <a href="http://readingfestival.com/lineup/index.aspx">Go here to see the full line up</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-09T00:00:00 66f1b376-699e-4bf0-bde6-7c935014f712 1000000 GAYMERS AT READING Fancy an ice-cold pint of cider? This summer, Gaymers will be the official cider of both Reading and Leeds festivals.   You’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing pint of ice-cold Gaymers original as well as the newly-launched Gaymers pear cider, whilst you listen to some of the best music performances of the summer.  Gaymers will be the only cider sold in festival bars and will be served on draught and super-chilled.  Gaymers is getting into music in a massive way this year - check out <a href="http://www.gaymersmusic.com">www.gaymersmusic.com</a> for full details as well as exclusive music content and news. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-04T00:00:00 7c0793ed-415e-4f8f-be35-06c0574aac71 1000000 RELENTLESS AT READING Relentless energy drinks will again be throwing its fist in the air at this year’s Reading and Leeds weekender. We can’t wait for the festival which has an incredible line-up this year and will end the Relentless summer with the biggest possible bang we could have hoped for.  If you are heading to Reading, come down and say hello, share some stories and check out what we’re all about in the Relentless lounge.   Check <a href="http://www.relentlesscore.com">www.relentlesscore.com</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/relentlessenergymusic">www.myspace.com/relentlessenergymusic</a> for up to date details. Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-07-02T00:00:00 efeb820c-da37-47ed-8ff6-1f72c6671bbc 1000000 GUITAR HERO Get in the Guitar Hero spotlight at Reading Festival The Guitar Hero Experience makes its Reading Festival debut, with a very special opportunity to play the global smash hit videogame in the specially-designed arena containing pure, unadulterated rock, with Guitar Hero running wall-to-wall.   Rock out to Metallica, Rage Against The Machine and Tenacious D alongside many other Reading Festival favourites. Go solo or jam with a mate - all we ask is that you give it the performance of a lifetime. Think you've seen it all? Think again as the stage will play host to special Guitar Hero performances and auditions – with lucky Guitar Heroes offered special prizes.  Young or old, boy or girl, punk or rocker - everyone is welcome.  Simply turn up, and rock out – and play the global videogame phenomenon for yourself.  Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-30T00:00:00 244847dc-83b3-4589-9f4a-024a43972e38 1000000 NATIONAL EXPRESS National Express is making travel simpler by providing dedicated services directly to the gates of Reading Festival. The fun  begins from the moment you get on a coach with like minded festival goers. Someone else can do all the driving so all you need to do is sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere. And just so you know you're doing your bit for the environment, your journey generates less than 10% of CO2 of those who travel by car. Services for both festivals are available  from all major towns and cities and much more.  Simply <a href="http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/destinations/events/Reading.cfm?utm_source=Redirect &utm_medium=Marketing &utm_term=Emotional &utm_content=Reading &utm_campaign=Reading">click here</a> to book your travel or call the booking line on  08717 81 81 81 (£1 booking fee applies) Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-12T00:00:00 50dbb850-8a7e-45d6-9df4-18e7f6edc24f 1000000 SHUTTLE BUSES Reading Shuttle Buses - READING - CAVERSHAM ROAD 98 Service Wednesday Times Now Added Shuttle buses will be signposted clearly at Reading Station and around the festival site.  The pick up is at the front of  Reading station itself and the drop off is at The  Moderation Pub on the Caversham Road, 2 mins walk away from site.  This is in reverse for the Monday.  Reading Shuttle Buses READING - CAVERSHAM ROAD   98 Service Wednesday 20th August 2008 - Additional service added From Reading Station 1400 1420 1440 1500 1520 1600 1610 1620 1630 1640 1650 1700 1710 1720 1730 1740 1750 1800 Caversham Road 1420 1440 1500 1520 1600 1620 1630 1640 1650 1700 1710 1720 1730 1740 1750 1800 1810 1820 Reading Station 1440 1500 1520 1540 1600 1620 1640 1650 1700 1710 1720 1730 1740 1750 1800 1800 1820 1830 1840 Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd August 2008 Reading Station                                                        0700  0710   and every  1800 Caversham Road, opp. The Moderation PH              0720  0730    10 mins   1820 Reading Station                                                        0740  0750     until    1840 Monday 25th August 2008 Reading Station                                                        0700  0710   and every  1420 1430 1440 1450 1500 Caversham Road, opp. The Moderation PH              0720  0730    10 mins   1440 1450 1500 1510 1520 Reading Station                                                        0740  0750     until    1500 Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-06T00:00:00 e6554c17-ff6b-411a-9847-553d8fa85c22 1000000 FIRST ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE The stage returns for second year following its amazing successes of its debut. Highlights last year included a special night hosted by the uber hip Trangressive label, a rare showing of punk classic ‘American Hardcore’, a list of comedy and cabaret performers to die for and much much more besides. This year we are set to better that inaugural year and are proud to announce two very special performers as the start of this year’s bill. A godhead of punk, a man of letters, an author, actor, poet, publisher, political activist, HENRY ROLLINS is all of these and more. A constant presence in the US arts and music scene and a worldwide household name, Rollins comes to the Alternative Stage for a spoken word set that is sure to be the talk of the sites and a huge draw for all those who value such an intelligent and provocative artist. <a href="http://www.henryrollins.com/">www.henryrollins.com</a> Like Rollins, JEFFREY LEWIS is an artist unaware of boundaries. A songwriter, performer (with the Jeffrey Lewis Band), comic book author, poet and spoken word artist, Lewis is fast becoming the modern renaissance man of the US alternative scene. With a huge reputation within the underground, expect these sets to be a highlight of the weekend for many at the dual sites. <a href="http://www.thejeffreylewissite.com">www.thejeffreylewissite.com</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 20 May 2008 11:30:00 GMT 2008-05-20T12:30:00 ee4576ab-7f9b-4314-94f4-48bf8f453d50 1000000 NEW BANDS ADDED Plain White T’s, Mindless Self Indulgence, Pete and the Pirates, Tiger Army, The Briggs & Blackhole ON THE MAIN STAGE Following the huge success of both ‘Hey There Delilah’ and ‘Hate (I Really Don’t Like you), <a href="http://www.plainwhitets.com">PLAIN WHITE T’s</a> have come from ten years of touring to international prominence in 2008. Having picked up two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Performance & Best Song the future looks increasingly bright and these shows have the potential to push the band further into the rock stratosphere. For a band that's fiercely independent and stunningly visceral in both their recorded material and their live shows, NYC's <a href="http://www.mindlesssselfindulgence.com">MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE</a> know how to make a big commotion. Since 1997, this co-ed electronic/punk rock band has been storming the electronic and punk scenes sweeping up many hardcore fans in its wake with its music and incendiary live performances. ON THE RADIO ONE / NME STAGE <a href="http://www.peteandthepirates.co.uk">PETE AND THE PIRATES’</a> blend of smooth edged punk and pop produces music which is sweet, raw, joyous, melancholic, raucous and tender. With their recent album, ‘Little Death’ characteriszed by NME as ‘Perfect pop without the pretence’, the band are set to increase their fanbase significantly over the weekend. ON THE LOCK-UP STAGE 2007 was a banner year for <a href="http://www.tigerarmy.com">TIGER ARMY</a> in their native US and beyond.  The band released their fourth album, had their first ever radio-single (including several weeks as the most requested on Los Angeles' influential KROQ FM), went on their third Warped Tour and played over one hundred shows from California to Sweden, including radio festivals in California with bands as diverse as Interpol and Bad Religion. Now Reading and Leeds is the next stage for the Californian psyschobillies. The perennial road warriors of punk rock, <a href="http://www.thebriggs.org">THE BRIGGS</a>, have spent the last six years on the road with little respite. This doesn’t really bother them though. Considering the momentum the band has gained in the last few years, they welcome it. And though, the ride hasn’t been the easiest, The Briggs are ready to break out with their most honest and compelling album to date, ‘Come All You Madmen’. Despite only forming 18 months ago, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/blackhole">BLACKHOLE</a> have already toured the country several times over with the likes of Gallows, The Ghost Of A Thousand, and Every Time I Die. The band are currently in the process of writing their debut album, so be sure to check them at this year's festival for a preview of new tracks and a live show that won't you leave disappointed. Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 20 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT 2008-05-20T10:00:00 28799a18-e5c8-4c92-9555-b616fd095a24 1000000 FESTIVAL TICKET SCAM - BE CAREFUL We have had reports of people being called by someone claiming to be from See Tickets and offering to sell them Reading Festival tickets. WARNING - we have had reports of people being called by someone claiming to be from See Tickets and offering to sell them Reading Festival tickets. This is a scam. See Tickets do not cold call to sell tickets. The number being used is from a mobile phone. Once the card details are taken the charge appears on the customer's statement as being debited to an account in Budapest - no connection at all to See Tickets. If you get a call of this nature please report it to Reading Trading Standards Office. "See Tickets the official provider of ticketing services to the Reading and Leeds festivals are aware of a few cases where members of the public have been contacted by persons to claiming to work for See. See do not contact  any customer unless firstly they have made a fully confirmed booking and then only, if there is a problem that needs customer input. Orders made via See will be confirmed by way of an email from a "@seetickets.com" address and the charge will appear on the credit or debit card statement as TICKETS 0871 220 0260. If you are in doubt at any time as to the validity of your order you may track the order at <a href="http://www.seetickets.com/tracker">www.seetickets.com/tracker</a> or check your bank statement." Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 19 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-20T00:00:00 46519595-976d-4925-a601-83b176980edf 1000000 TEAM RECYCLE READING - CLOSED Reading Festival is increasing its environmental responsibility by this year including 200 Team Recycle stewards. Thanks to all those that applied, but all positions have now been filled. Jennifer Roberts General Sun, 18 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-19T00:00:00 e80fd1fc-e3f2-486e-adff-c777d6abec63 1000000 THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS PLAY READING Following their recent No1 chart debut with ‘The Age Of The Understatement’, THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS will make their full live debut at the world famous twin sites over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The band will take to the NME / Radio One Stage on Friday 22nd August at Leeds Festival and Sunday 24th August at Reading Festival, as co-headliners prior to the previously announced headline set from The Cribs. This is a real ‘get there early’ moment in the classic Reading and Leeds tradition.  The project of Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner and The Rascals’ Miles Kane have yet to confirm any further live shows so these performances will be the first chance for fans to hear the band perform live. Sure to be another unique festival moment at the twin sites that is talked about for years to come, these shows underline why the Reading and Leeds Festival stands as one of the world’s most important and well known live events and was once again voted the ‘Live Event Of The Year’ by readers of the NME at their 2008 Awards. Reading and Leeds Festival is totally sold out across both sites. Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 06 May 2008 15:15:00 GMT 2008-05-06T16:15:00 92c681b5-f125-4f9d-ac84-d38bd806d1db 1000000 PERSONAL SAFETY UPDATE For any personal problems onsite, the Welfare Tent is there to help. The Welfare Tent is situated in the Village Area and is open 24 hours from 8am on Thursday to noon on Monday and offers general welfare, assistance and advice, a drugs advisory service, a needle exchange, counselling, a messages service and they will help distressed / missing people. The Welfare Tent also offers a recovery area for patients from medical and emergency shelter in a Crash tent with camper mats and sleeping bags. There is also a book here that you can add your comments to. In addition, the Welfare Tent will be giving away free condoms over the weekend. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-02T00:00:00 c4082edd-0573-43a4-899c-4f67a328f429 1000000 FESTIVAL UNLOCKED HOAX ON MYSPACE The site has no link with the festival and none of the bands will be on the bill via this site. Festival Republic, promoters of the Reading and Leeds Festival, are keen to alert all festival goers to an unofficial site on MySpace. The site, calling itself Festival Unlocked, claims to be a competition for unsigned bands to play at this year’s event. The site has no link with the festival and none of the bands will be on the bill via this site. Reading and Leeds Festival is totally committed to new unsigned talent and this year will see the combined forces of BBC Introducing,  BBC Raw Talent, Sandman and Futuresound choose three days worth of acts to play the BBC Introducing at both sites. Full details of the bands appearing across the weekend on the BBC Introducing Stage will be issued soon. Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:30:00 GMT 2008-04-30T02:30:00 6ac9237b-77e8-4e8b-acb7-a7cf438f6fed 1000000 MORE BANDS ANNOUNCED... Full bill for the Dance Stage and The Lock Up Stage is announced along with additions to the NME/Radio 1 Stage and Main Stage. This year’s bill is the best ever with a host of new names to announce and extra special performances across the six stages: This year’s DANCE STAGE sees the resurgence of the genre reflected in the bill with a line-up that shows that electronic music and dance in its widest sense is returning to rude health: CSS, Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, Chromeo, Crystal Castles, Lethal Bizzle, Holy Fuck, The Whip, Robots In Disguise, The Death Set, The Shoes Swapping venues with the Dance Stage, THE LOCK UP STAGE returns to the twin sites for another two days of the best punk, hardcore and ska. Always a massively popular stage from the start of the day to the last note, this year sees two very special headliners backed up by a host of great names. Host Mike Davies of the BBC Radio One ‘Punk Rock Show’ is looking forward to this year more than ever: ‘Every year we stress out about trying to outdo the previous year. And for the last four years it's always happened. This year’s line-up is no different. Instead of having a headliner for each night we have 5 huge bands playing each day. Plus some great younger and newer bands who are guaranteed to put on great sets. There is something for everyone on The Lock Up Stage at Reading and Leeds 2008’. Less Than Jake, Pennywise, Goldfinger, The Unseen, H2O, Frank Turner, The Loved Ones, Hexes Gallows, Alkaline Trio, Thrice, Flogging Molly, MXPX, Cancer Bats, Set Your Goals, The King Blues, Fucked Up, The Gaslight Anthem, Random Hand. And there’s still more great bands being added. With the RADIO ONE / NME STAGE already boasting a very special headline from NME Godlike Genii MANIC STREET PREACHERS, a debut headline for THE CRIBS and THE WOMBATS and a return for BABYSHAMBLES the latest additions point to possible headliners in future years: Jack Penate, One Night Only, The Duke Spirit, Be Your Own Pet, Blood Red Shoes, Make Model, Seasick Steve, The Ting Tings, The Mystery Jets, Santogold, Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong, Kids In Glass Houses, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Music, hadouken!, Lightspeed Champion, Cajun Dance Party, Adam Green, Yeasayer, The Metros. Yet, still there’s more. With THE MAIN STAGE already boasting the massively anticipated return of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE to their UK spiritual home, METALLICA playing their ONLY UK FESTIVAL DATES and THE KILLERS playing their ONLY UK DATES THIS YEAR, there are more additions to the biggest and best festival stage in the country. British Sea Power, The Automatic, Alexisonfire. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:00:00 GMT 2008-04-28T19:00:00 9a384d84-6d64-4dbe-86b6-298d9dee222d 1000000 ACTION AID AT READING Do your bit and support people fighting their way out of poverty. It’s been a truly amazing year for the ActionAid team at Reading.  They made air guitar history, built some impressive jenga towers, got stamped on at RATM, met thousands of beautiful people, and shouted Bollocks to Poverty until they lost their voices. On Thursday night, ActionAid smashed the world record for the biggest air guitar ensemble. It was a magical moment for them, so thanks to those of you who came and played so passionately. And sorry to the hundreds more who just couldn’t fit in the tent!  Guinness World Records official Erica was there to oversee the event and gave ActionAid the thumbs up afterwards, as 254 people pulled their finest air guitar moves in unison to Bon Jovi. But the real heroes were the thousands of you who made it down to the tent, grabbed your giant guitars and megaphones and boots and posed for the cameras, showing your support for ActionAid and pledging to do something you love with us in the future. THANK YOU! Festival Republic has been supporting ActionAid at Reading for seven consecutive years. With a spot just outside the main arena they make sure everyone who walks past gets to hear the Bollocks to Poverty mantra, thanks to the crew of tireless volunteers.  Over the years, tens of thousand of people have taken action on HIV/AIDS, unfair trade, corporate abuse and hunger.  And the Reading crowds go on to support ActionAid all year round by putting on their own Bollocks to Poverty events, fundraising and taking more campaign actions.  Some of them even return re-incarnated as fully fledged ActionAid volunteers! Find out how to do something you love and fight global poverty at the same time at <a href="http://www.actionaid.org.uk/bollocks">www.actionaid.org.uk/bollocks</a>  You can also see films, photos and blogs about the air guitar record and everything else that went on in the ActionAid tent. <img height="250" alt="" width="250" src="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/d/p/m/Image/airguitar.jpg" /> Photo credit: Aubrey Wade / ActionAid Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:45:00 GMT 2008-04-23T00:45:00 494f907f-6872-491a-bd9a-1be626ee5492 1000000 BECOME AN OXFAM STEWARD Oxfam Festival Stewarding: you will be able to apply to steward with Oxfam at a number of music festivals during the Summer from 31st March 2008 and this year all applications will be taken on-line. Oxfam Festival Stewarding: you will be able to apply to steward with Oxfam at a number of music festivals during the Summer from 31st March 2008 and this year all applications will be taken on-line. To steward you must be 18 or over and willing to work 3 x 8 hour shifts. In return, we will provide you with full training, a separate camping area with toilets and showers, a meal ticket per shift, chance to make new friends and the opportunity to help raise £900,000 for Oxfam. To apply go to <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewards">www.oxfam.org.uk/stewards</a>, or call 0870 010 8553 charity number: 202918 Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:30:00 GMT 2008-04-03T00:30:00 4b215f89-d579-408b-8ca6-8b1fafa3908c 1000000 READING & LEEDS WEEKEND TICKETS SELL OUT All weekend tickets for the event have sold out in record time. A total of 200,000 tickets sold in 24 hours marks this year's tenth anniversary for Leeds and twentieth for Reading as an extra special event. The UK’s only three day, dual site festival is headlined this year by Rage Against The Machine, The Killers and Metallica with a host of exclusive performances, huge names and the coolest up and coming bands over six stages. Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic said, “'I am over the moon! Absolutely thrilled. 20th year since we took over Reading after it had been bankrupt. 10th year since we created Leeds. The UK's biggest selling festival with the best bill on the planet this year sells out in less than 2 hours. Whoever is talking about a slump in festival popularity is talking rubbish. Long live Reading and Leeds!'” Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements to the bill and get ready for the greatest rock n' roll show on earth over the August Bank holiday. Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:15:00 GMT 2008-04-01T06:15:00 f158d81a-76ee-42f8-b4fc-b9ccca1fd592 1000000 LINE UP ANNOUNCED Rage Against The Machine, The Killers and Metallica are headlining the festival in August The Reading and Leeds Festivals have been announced..... Rage Against The Machine, The Killers, Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age, Bloc Party, Tenacious D, The Fratellis, The Raconteurs, Slipknot, The Enemy, Editors, Feeder, Biffy Clyro, We Are Scientists, Avenged Sevenfold, Serj Tankian, Dirty Pretty Things, Dropkick Murphys, Taking Back Sunday, The Subways, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Anti-Flag.....plus many more to be announced on the Main Stage. On the NME / Radio 1 stage: Babyshambles, Manic Street Preachers, The Cribs, The Wombats, Bullet For My Valentine, Conor Oberst, Vampire Weekend, Justice, Pendulum, MGMT and Foals. <a href="http://www.seetickets.com/readingandleeds">BUY TICKETS</a> Weekend Ticket with Camping £155,  Early Entry £10,  Day Ticket £65,  Locker £15,  Campervan £10 For more information, make sure you've signed up to the newsletter <a href="http://www.festivalrepublic.com/register">here</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:00 GMT 2008-03-31T19:00:00 3dca1501-1d4b-441b-8d87-6135f7f7dd35 1000000 GREEN MESSENGER VOLUNTEER POSITIONS ARE NOW FULL Now full. Reading Festival will have Green Messengers in the campsites again in 2008, talking to campers to encourage them to be environmentally aware in the disposal of their rubbish, particularly in packing up their camping site. We are keen to alert festival goers to the environmental impact of burning tents and possessions instead of taking them home or donating them. All Green Messenger volunteer positions are now full! Please keep an eye out on this website as we may be announcing recycling volunteer recruitment soon. Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:15:00 GMT 2008-03-24T00:15:00 50abfe97-f53d-4ad6-b804-dac5aa145f97 1000000 LOCKERHOUSE Keep your belongings safe at Reading Festival This year we have teamed up with Lockerhouse to make sure you can keep your belongings safe at Reading Festival. You get to keep a souvenir branded padlock after the event too! Book now, and be sure to keep your stuff safe all weekend. The lockers also have mobile phone charging facilities, which require you to bring a 12v Car adapters/charger. They are available in the Village 24 hours. IMPORTANT! - PLEASE NOTE: the locker sizes are 25cm wide x 15.5cm deep x 10cm high - so they are the right size for small valuables (mobiles, wallets, cameras). The Locker is used at Hirers own Risk These are only available to Weekend Camping ticket holders. <a href="http://www.seetickets.com/readingandleeds">Click here to buy a locker</a> Jennifer Roberts General Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:00:00 GMT 2008-03-18T02:00:00 59710a66-6656-43e9-81b4-f3d84ab2e481 1000000 DISABLED ACCESS GUIDE 2008 Check out our 2008 disabled access guide to the Reading festival, or download our aopplication form To read the Disabled Access Festival Guide 2008, <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/u/g/b/READING2008DisabledInfo.pdf">click here</a> To download the application form, <a href="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/content/c/v/r/DISAB_APP08.pdf">click here</a> Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:30:00 GMT 2008-03-07T00:30:00 2fb7a248-0722-4045-bad5-5f96012f0f7c 1000000 WE WON BEST LIVE EVENT! The Reading & Leeds Festivals picked up the award for Best Live Event at the 2008 Showckwaves NME Awards… thanks for voting! The Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 took place last night (February 28) at the IndigO2 venue in London, where a variety of music stars and industry types picked up awards for their achievements over the past year. The Reading & Leeds Festivals picked up the award for Best Live Event. Thanks to all those that voted! Jennifer Roberts General Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT 2008-02-29T06:30:00 4e361757-29da-41f1-b718-5301e0351814 1000000 OUR FESTIVAL MANIFESTO Less corporate, greener, better transport - Our MD, Melvin Benn, spoke to BBC 6Music about our Festival Manifesto put together with the help of fans Our Managing Director, Melvin Benn, spoke to The Music Programme on BBC 6Music, about their Festival Manifesto that had been put together with ideas from the fans - to see the Ten-point plan, click <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/music_week/festival_manifesto.shtml">here</a> Hear what he had to say in the podcast <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/musicweek/">here</a> And pay close attention to the news about the Reading & Leeds headliners....there'll be more of where that came from in the coming weeks -  so make sure you've signed up to the <a href="http://www.festivalrepublic.com/register">newsletters</a> Happy listening! Jennifer Roberts General Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:00:00 GMT 2008-01-23T02:00:00 cab87b2a-354f-4469-8e73-51d2447585c6 1000000 WE PART COMPANY WITH CARLING We return in 2008 without a headline sponsor, a happy turning point in the festival’s history with Reading Festival reclaiming its prestigious name. After a nine year partnership Festival Republic announced that Carling will no longer be the headline sponsor or official lager of the Reading and Leeds festivals. Following a successful long-term partnership, it was by mutual agreement that both parties felt the time was right to pursue new opportunities. This marks a happy turning point in the festival’s history with Reading Festival reclaiming its prestigious name after the Carling Weekend association. The festival first arrived in Reading in 1971 and has been hosted on the same site on the banks of the river Thames ever since. Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn took over Reading in 1989, when attendance was at an all time low.  The festival underwent a serious shake up and opened with a stellar line-up including New Order, The Pogues, The Mission, The Wonder Stuff and The Sugarcubes, that would put Reading back on the music fans radar and cement the future of the festival for ever more. Jennifer Roberts General Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:00:00 GMT 2007-11-29T02:00:00 65ed9bd5-c499-4a3d-b2f7-03f1c142ad00 1000000 MUSIC, MUD & MAYHEM This lavishly-illustrated official history covers every event from 1971 to 2007, and is launched with our support and collaboration… A major festival since its inception, Reading is the music fans' favourite and continues to draw the biggest and best in rock from all over the world. This lavishly-illustrated official history covers every event from 1971 to 2007, and will be launched at this year's festival with the support and collaboration of the Festival's promoters, Festival Republic. The bands that have appeared at Reading over the last 36 years are a virtual Who's Who of festival rock, including such diverse acts as: AC/DC, Arthur Brown, Bjork, Black Sabbath, The Buzzcocks, The Chemical Brothers, Eminem, The Faces, Foo Fighters, Hawkwind, Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, The Libertines, Lou Reed, Manfred Mann, Manic Street Preachers, Marilyn Manson, Motorhead, Neil Young, Nick Cave, Oasis, P.J. Harvey, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel, The Prodigy, Public Enemy, Radiohead and Status Quo. Many of the acts who have appeared over the years have chosen to contribute their memories of the festival to this book, giving it a unique inside perspective. But Ian Carroll's account of the festival is much more than a roll-call of bands and artists. It is also the story of the festival itself, its complex relationship with the media, and with local government, business and the police.  Above all, this is the story of the fans and their annual pilgrimage to the festival site by the Thames. Rain or shine, heatwave or mudslide, they make the Reading Festival what it is, and ensure that its special atmosphere will continue for many years to come.  Online orders: <a href="mailto:orders@orcabookservices.co.uk">orders@orcabookservices.co.uk</a> The book is also available online at Amazon, W H Smith, Virgin, Play.com, HMV, Waterstones and available in stores nationwide Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:45:00 GMT 2007-10-29T00:45:00 b0cb0774-7ec9-407e-bd5e-e1917f42cd1a 1000000 SUBSCRIBE Sign up to get regular updates and latest line-up announcements. We are delighted to announce our new Festival Republic name. As promoters of the best festivals in the world we are extremely proud to list Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals, the critically applauded new kid on the block - Latitude, our involvement in Glastonbury not to mention our annual London festivals including Rise, St Patricks Day, Fleadh. As part of our new focus we have sold the Borderline, Jazz Cafe, The Garage, The Old Fiddler, G-A-Y Bar and G-A-Y Late Club to Mama Group. But have retained ownership of the much celebrated Astoria with the newly renamed Mean Fiddler, The Astoria 2. We will continue to bring to you the greatest festivals on the planet and are looking forward to many exciting new projects on the horizon. You must register with the new Festival Republic site in order to receive our newsletter. <a href="http://www.festivalrepublic.com/register">Click here to register</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 2007-10-22T01:00:00 208036af-745b-42bb-95d4-1e403211108a 1000000 FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE Missed out on a t-shirt....a hoodie, pants, a bag? For all of your festival merchandise needs... For all of your festival merchandise needs..... <a href="http://www.bandmad.com/store/page3.asp?suptype=1&t=4&sub_type=413">Click here</a> Jennifer Roberts General Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT 2007-09-03T05:00:00 393afcd3-c4bd-4dee-bf22-bd161e2d89d7 1000000