Well, the reading festival line up was released yesterday (well, when you read this it might not have been yesterday, but it is right now while im writing it) and theres been plenty of comments either way about it. A lot of people are disappointed, but i think its not too bad. Ive crudely painted all over the poster to illustrate my feelings.
My feelings in a nutshell (emphasised in some places for comic affect)
In all seriousness, i think its not too shabby. The heavy mainstage day is creeping back, which im pleased with (if you read my blog, youll know roughly my music tastes) and theres more than enough bands i like to make it worth my money right now. And theres still lock up to be announced, which in 09 i spent most of my time at, and festival republic normally has a couple good bands i want to watch. Hopefully dance tent will have someone i want to watch as well. So really for me its not at all a band line up.
My top 3 that im looking forward to at the moment, ascending order, starts with Architects. Some tasty metal, although the newest albums a little easier on the ears it still should be hectic live, and ide expect them to pull a decent crowd. The its BMTH. Im not as big a fan of the new album as Suicide Season, but its still good, and lets face it theyre going to be brutal live. Then, top of the list is easily Death From Above 1979. They are such an amazingly unique band, when i discovered them i was so disappointed they had broken up, but now a reunion and theyre supposed to be something special live, so im pretty excited. I didnt include bands ive already seen, otherwise Enter Shikari and Rise Against would be there instead of BMTH and Architects.
I don't really understand most of the criticism. Most people i know who genuinely appreciate the genres reading festival tends to, have at the very least found the line up acceptable, most finding it good. Its not as good as previous years (in most peoples opinion) no, but some years are bound to be better than others. What winds me up is people who whine because its not as mainstream as they were expecting. I understand people might expect a range of different genres, which reading provides every year (including this year, quite obviously) but because its not as mainstream as they were expecting they dub it as 'shit'. First and foremost, reading is a rock festival. They say so themselves. You can't grab a ticket every year if your expecting to see artists like Dizzie Rascal playing regularly. Its been getting more and more mainstream throughout the years, it just now seems to be swinging back the other way. If you really don't like it, don't go. And before anyone gets on my back, i'm not criticising anyone for thinking its shit, its their opinion, i'm simply pointing out people shouldnt expect mainstream, and shouldnt criticise the fact heavier bands get booked.
Anyway, some bands ide like to see for lock up and festival republic. For lock up ide like to see Set Your Goals, they were so good 09 and have a new album out in spring. Four Year Strong, haven't ever been (to my knowledge) and the new album is pretty good. Blackhole, a heavier, better gallows (with gallows vocalist and guitarists younger brother being the front man) [SCRATCH THEM just found out they broke up. Damn, they were good as well.] The Ghost of a Thousand, seen them twice and theyre easily one of the best live bands ive seen, so good 09. Your Demise, solid hardcore punk and the lead singer knows how to mix some dubstep too. If I Die Today, theyre album is so good, really edgy stuff. Bayside, im not sure if theyd fit the demographic, but ide love to see them again. Thats about all i can think of right now, ill probably think of more later. As for festival republic, ide like to see a few post-hardcore bands, maybe: Escape the fate; Memphis May Fire; Pierce the Veil; Chiodos, to name a few ide like.
Just realised this turned into a festival post. Oh well, shit happens. Ill add it into the name.
Cheers for reading guys, if i offended anyone in particular, go man up. Only joking, sorry if i did.
AJ
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