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Made my way straight to the Evening Session Tent. I don't personally like the main stage...too far away, too many people, and, most importantly, mostly mainstream radio friendly bands. The tent is packed. I've never seen it this full so early on before. Maybe the punters are beginning to get the message that the best bands are on the smaller stages. First on were Nojahoda who came out, and got the crowd jumping straight away. This isn't particularly anything we haven't heard before...full on noise through to power ballads. I won't rush out and buy the records, but ten out of ten for effort. Just what you want to blow away those early morning cobwebs...ok, ok I know it's midday, but I'm a night person, and anytime before lunch is early! The tent is suddenly filling up to bursting capacity. The crowd are restless then on walk Cay. A couple of minutes with a blown amp to fix. (Anet's looking worried now). Good - ready to start now. The first note is played, and immediately the crowd go bananas! Oops! Security aren't ready for this, as the punters crowd surf over the barriers, like they're being poured from a bucket! This is reminiscent of the chaos that Idlewild caused last year so early in the proceedings. Cay get better every time I see them. The place is one big happy, mad, jumping party. Their sets are getting tighter as they roar through the classics. 'Better Than Myself', 'Princess and Princesses' and 'Neutrons Like Brandy' are played and the inside of tent is already resembling a Sumo wrestlers armpit! We have a short breather when 'Dragonfly' and the next single 'Nature Creates Freaks' are played, but the rest is short-lived. With hardly time to take stock, the songs are pumped out, and the crowd want more. Anet has just enough time to thank the people who matter for the Kerrang award from a couple of days ago. It looks like their time has finally come to be recognised - and about bloody time too! I didn't quite know what to expect from Doves. I'd heard to two singles but nothing more.They opened with the current single 'Sea Song' and very nice it was too. The lead singer then proceeded to change positions with the drummer who came out to sing and play harmonica. He then came back for the next number and swapped the acoustic guitar for a bass. Things trundled along nicely as the crowd chilled out. They ended with the single 'The Cedar Room', and very powerful it came across too. One word...Smooth! Ten Benson were on next. I didn't know what to expect, as I'd only heard the single releases. It struck me that they belonged in a fast food outlet - all baseball caps, shorts and t-shirts in yellow! After a couple of numbers they did begin to annoy me. Their quirkiness, funny voices and faces get you down eventually. Much the same as Snuff had done to me a year before! The crowd certainly enjoyed the show, but I decided it was a good time to have a piss. NB...a couple of days later and I'm humming 'Mystery Man' in my head, so maybe they did have some effect! I decided to go back to see Snuff. After last years show I was going to avoid them, but I thought I'd give them a second chance. Within two seconds of them starting the tent went wild. Little kids, punks, goths - all jumping around furiously. I must admit I did enjoy the show this time. They have dropped playing on the annoying quirkiness that they used to do, and now just get on with the job. They've certainly got the crowd sussed. Short, sharp, punky sing-a-long tunes - not too far removed from how UK Subs used to play the game. We had our first scaffold climber of the day. Up at 30 feet and then he dives into the crowd! I didn't see the outcome, but I hope he was OK. The boys know how to get a crowd jumping...theme tunes from BBC cricket, football and the Likely Lads get the pace going even more! I must admit I was stunned. Time for a break, and see if I can find the people I came down here with...they all went to the Main Stage and Dance Tent...suckers! Also a good time to get some vastly overpriced food. Ah...ear piercings for a fiver...nothing better to do so I got the top of mine done...I've been meaning to that for a couple of years...when in Reading! Ouch! I caught Seafruit on the Carling Premier Stage in passing. The set was quite good, and the crowd responsive, but this is far too radio friendly. They are current Xfm daytime darlings, so that didn't bode well. The two singles were well executed, and I couldn't say it was an unpleasant 20 minutes, but there is definitely something missing. With the two guitarists trying to be Sid Vicious and Captain Sensible they need some original ideas. This is a band destined for the pop charts. I managed to get down the front early for Idlewild, and good job too. The place is now heaving with anticipation. Rod plucks the first note and the tent is literally jumping off the ground with the crowd. I have never seen so many bouncers...they probably remember last years performance. It's a full time job pulling the crowd surfers out. We are rewarded with water at regular intervals - both thrown and given out in cups - well done Specialized. Idlewild power through their set like their lives depend on it. They do finish with the traditional 'You Just Have To Be Who You Are', so maybe they've had a change of heart about dropping the song from the live sets. I would have given a set list, but that's an impossibility when you are soaking wet, and trying desperately to keep on your feet. It was basically a repeat of Wednesdays warm-up gig in Portsmouth. The band leave, and the crowd bay for more...not a chance with a schedule this tight. Time for the penultimate performance of 3 Colours Red. I'd only seen them the once, last year at the Astoria, and from that I had high hopes. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole of Reading was in the tent now, to witness the end of a great live band. The audience were in more of a frenzy than when Idlewild were on. The crowd surfing got too much for security, so they decided to spend the whole set lined up, standing on the steps looking at the crowd...thanks guys...0/10 for intelligence. So I didn't see most of the set, but it sounded fantastic. Luckily I think security got the message that the crowd now hated them, as when 3CR came on for the encore, they stepped down so we could see. Only standing on the steps when pulling someone out...the same as they had done for all the other bands...so what's the problem? 3CR ripped through 'Paralyse', 'This is my Hollywood' and ended with the most powerful rendition of 'Beautiful Day' they were capable of. I was nearly reduced to tears at the gusto and effort they put into the encore. Then silence. No one moved after the band has said their farewells. The crowd were just motionless, hoping for more - even when the lights came on, we all stood there for a good ten minutes, just paying our respects to one of the great live bands of recent times. We had witnessed the end of a great live band, and most people couldn't really take it all in. I'm sure they all will continue to go on to greater things. So that's the end. I'm wet and now cold, but it was a great day. I think the band who really made the greatest impression was Cay. This could be the performance that turns their fortunes. skippy |