What to look forward to this year!
After last years Reading festival its difficult to see how 2011 could get any better, we had punk rockers Blink 182 who had recently got back together, the reformation of The Libertines and or course rock legends Guns ‘N’ Roses who all performed big in their headline slots. The main stage also played host to a collection of well known and mainstream bands including Lostprophets, Paramore, Limp Bizkit, Youmeatsix and Dizzee Rascal, So its no wonder fans where left slightly underwhelmed when the line-up announcement was made earlier this March.
Though bands don’t get much bigger than Muse, The Strokes and My Chemical Romance so what are people complaining about?
Although perhaps not as an all round popular line-up as last year 2011 has some BIG names to offer with some exciting performances across the whole weekend. On the Friday My Chemical Romance return to headline and since their torrid expereince at Reading 2006 where they were bottled on stage they have become an exciting live act with a lot more fans under their belt. For me though the real performance on the Friday will come from 30 Seconds To Mars. Since the release of their latest album – This Is War, they have come an alternative rock sensation, bringing their ‘Into The Wild’ tour to the whole world and creating an amazing live experience in the process. Led by the ever confident Jared Leto, there’s no doubt they will be as enthusiastic as ever in the first ever appearance at Reading Festival. The rest of the line up on the Friday fits in with the headliners and includes well known rock bands ‘The Offspring’, ‘Deftones’, ‘Rise Against’ and Bring Me The Horizon, who are a must see band for any hardcore rock fan.
If rock isn’t your interest on the Friday then the dance tent will be open for those looking to get away from the weather, get a change of atmosphere or quite clearly enjoy some classic dance anthems/new rave. Headliners Simian Mobile Disco have countless classics such as ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘It’s The Beat’ to get the crowd going and in the holiday mood. Readings very own Does It Offend You, Yeah? have grown dramatically since their last appearance at the festival and now having supported Linkin Park on their A Thousand Suns world tour they have a wealth of Live performing experience.. a must see for any Enter Shikari or Pendulum fan.
Moving on to the Saturday and we have indie legends The Strokes headlining along side old timers Pulp who will between them create some spectacular festival moments for sure and in turn set a lighter tone for the rest of the weekend. One band who are guaranteed to go a step further and make the whole crowd dance are the classic outfit known as ‘Madness’. With such hits as ‘Our House’ and ‘It Must Be Love’ whether your into hard rock or spend your time in the dance tent you have to appreciate the fantastic festival atmosphere the ‘Madness’ can create wherever they go. Completing the set up for the Saturday the organizers have booked crowd pleases ‘Jimmy Eat World’ and up and coming indie act ‘Two Door Cinema Club’ some might argue not as big as last years bands but both have performed big sets at this years Glastonbury festival with fantastic responses.
As always the best is saved till last and we haven’t been let down this year, the UK’s very own Muse are set to close the festival on the Sunday and having been named as one of the most sensational live bands in the world, up there and possibly even above the likes of Linkin Park and 30 Seconds To Mars we are in for a massive treat on Sunday night. There back catalog of songs is enough to please any festival in the world and with tracks like ‘Undisclosed Desires’, ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ and ‘The Resistance’ the whole crowd is sure to be a sea of festival spirit. There are a few big names and even possible headliners backing up Muse of the Sunday, the likes of Elbow and Enter Shikari would of been worthy contenders and seeing Enter Shikari step on to the main stage this year having seen them perform on the NME/Radio 1 stage last year will be a exciting prospect for any raver in the crowd.
So despite the initial reaction there is tons to look forward to this August 2011 and whether the bands aren’t of your taste or you disagree with the headline choices there’s no denying the great atmosphere a festival provides for you and your mates.
Have a good one!
By Matthew Trevett
Muse are the big headliners that make this Festival a special one
A Journalists portfolio 