Funnily enough out of all the bands I'v seen live at reading, to this day one of Reading highlights for me was Lee Scratch Perry who came on and did a early main stage set. I can't find any footage of this performance but here he is in Reading (not the fest)
They were top notch - I'd seen Nirvana earlier that year, but the Reading gig was amazing. Had tickets for the In Utero tour too, but the selfish bastard decided to put a hole in his head so was gutted!!!! Hole were playing at Reading that year too, and Courtney Love got dogs abuse from the crowd as their kid had just been born with a heroin dependency. Public Enemy were great too, even though that's not what i would choose to listen to - they're actually the support act when we go to see The Prodigy later in the year! There was a lot of the "Baggy" scene about - Charlatans, the Farm, Milltown Brothers all good, plus some other grunge bands (Smashing Pumpkins, L7) - was a long time ago, but as it was my first festival it was an experience I'll not forget!
So Metallica are headlining tonight at Reading. I'v never been their biggest fan but do love this cover...
Son is upstairs with his "band-mates" (they're all twelve!) and they're blasting out a cover of this - quality
Well I'v just been watching Live coverage of Metallica's headline slot at Reading fest. It's slightly embarrassing tbh! I'm not Metallica's biggest fan but I do accept they are a globally massive band with a huge fan base. They are putting in a very decent shift but the crowd reception from Reading is very muted to say the least. Twice now James Hetfield has commented on the quiet crowd reaction. After each song has ended they have received a very short round of applause from the crowd. Reading has never been the best fest imo but used to be much better. It's living more off of it's history tbh. I blame the person who books the acts. Most of Readings target audience of 14 to early 20 year olds probably don't know who they are anyway or know but think they are old hat now. Reading is more a huge p!ss up for the kids celebrating their A level results. This is something I have noticed with a few bands at Reading of late with the muted crowd reception. OK I'm not there and watching on TV but know a few people who have gone and they often agree with me. The other problem I noticed at Reading when I used to go is with it being in Reading. A lot more chav/local townie types started to go just to get waisted and take the p!ss out of the genuine festival goers. They are the sort not likely to bother camping or traveling to an out of town fest. I often hear bands and festival goers say the Leeds one is better natured and more importantly much louder.
