Reading – review
Reading is the last big party of the summer and formerly the rockiest. Download may have stolen its metal crown but the fun has by no means disappeared with the leather.
One of the best things about the festival is that the stages are so close to each other. So if on the Friday you fancied catching both Miles Kane and the Minutes – who performed in different tents at the same time – you could; as long as you didn't mind getting a soaking, that is. Happily, Jared Leto's Thirty Seconds to Mars brought the sunshine with them from LA later in the day and proved to be one of the more credible acts fronted by an actor turned musician, thanks to their uncompromising grunge. Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye also had some top tunes – all of which sounded exactly like Oasis.
Better by far were the exuberant Mariachi El Bronx (singer Matt Caughthran, right) who, along with the seemingly ageless Madness, were among Saturday's highlights, with Madness prompting mass dancing. Julian Casablancas lacked the energy of Suggs and co. The much-anticipated set by his group, the Strokes, was jam-packed with hits but their studied ennui has grown a bit, well, boring. All of which meant it was left to Pulp to steal the show, their flamboyant, hip-shaking pop as potent as it was 15 years ago.
Best performance Pulp.
Best discovery Josh Widdicombe - funnyman.
Overheard "I hope the person who felt my cock was a woman" – Tyler of OFWGKTA gets a crowd-surfing surprise.