Reading Festival 2024 marked the end of the summer festival season and with it some legendary sets from blink-182, Liam Gallagher, Confidence Man, Crawlers and more…
by Felix Bartlett | Aug 29, 2024
While this year’s edition of Reading and Leeds may go down in history as one of the most unpredictable on record—with sound issues, storms, and stages being blown away—it was still a weekend that proved to be one hell of an experience. It’s no secret that this bank holiday weekender may not have been the best outing to date, but there were still plenty of acts across the weekend that brought the vibes.
So grab those bucket hats, tie down that tent, and let’s dive into some of the best moments from this bank holiday weekend bonanza.
FROZEMODE – BBC Radio 1 Stage
While the initially planned antics of launching their new mixtape DEMODE 2 in the camping grounds of Reading Festival didn’t quite take off as planned the London-based alternative rap trio didn’t hold back dropping an unforgettable set filled to the brim with high-fives. octane, punk-drenched alternative hip-hop tunes.
While the crew had plenty of new tracks to play with the trio even treated us to some unreleased tracks…
KID BRUNSWICK – BBC Radio 1 Stage
The sun was out but for Kid Brunswick in the BBC Radio 1 Tent, something darker was brewing. The end of the era for this project loomed overhead with many knowing this was effectively the funeral for his project in its current form. This may have been a funeral but damn this was no time to mourn this was a time for chaos.
Sporting his signature bandage-wrapped head this was a strong start to the day with fans surrounding the barrier shouting out every word whilst to the right fans got stuck into the first (but certainly not the last) mosh pit of the weekend.
LAMBRINI GIRLS – Festival Republic Stage
If you haven’t heard already Lambrini Girls are bloody fantastic and are a must-see if you’re ever presented with the chance. They didn’t just put on a show, this was an experience and everyone in the tent knew so. There was everything you could expect, mighty riffs, hard hitting drums and two powerful speeches calling for a free Palestine and to rally against the culture of silence surrounding sexual misconduct. Once again the girls show they’re making noise in all the right ways.
NECK DEEP – Main Stage
What’s better than one Neck Deep show? The answer is two and oh baby that’s what we were treated to at this year’s Reading Festival. Yes their initial set felt as though the band were somewhat holding back and we wished they brought some of their older tracks to the main stage but there’s no denying the Wrexham crew smashed through their set and delivered good time in doing so.
Their Festival Republic stage headline might have proven to be the most fan-oriented showcase, but seeing the pop-punk icons tear up the stage just a few hours before the likes of Blink-182 was one for the books. Here’s hoping the boys bring their all to their UK tour next year!
Confidence Man – BBC Radio 1 Stage
Confidence Man are known for bringing the party to their sets and this year’s Reading Festival was no different. The aussie electronic duo never fail to lift the spirits of the crowd making the Radio 1 tent feel like we were partying the night away in Malaga. This set had everything, from costume changes to magic tricks. With a set like that we’re pretty sure it won’t be long until the duo will bring the party over to the mainstage!
Two Door Cinema Club – Festival Republic Stage
There was no doubt that Two Door Cinema Club were going to bring a belter of a performance to Reading Festivals main stage on Friday. Nestled nicely between Spiritbox and Gerry Cinnamon, the Northern Island indie legends made for a nice breath on the Friday mainstage and sailed us into the evening with their huge summer anthems that sent the crowds wild. With a stacked back catalog of music, this set was no doubt bound to be a crowd-pleaser filled with the usual suspects that proved to be as popular as ever.
THE PRODIGY – Chevron Stage
One thought looms over everyone’s heads when heading to the Chevron Stage for the one and only The Prodigy. What will it be like without Keith Flint? The answer? An hour of electronic mayhem that never slows down and an unforgettable set that paid respect to the late Keith Flint.
Until Friday night (August 23), the band hadn’t performed at the festival since vocalist Keith Flint tragically died in 2019. The new Chevron dance stage and light show canopy above the crowd proved to be the perfect platform for their grand return.
When the band unleashed ‘Firestarter’, Flint’s anthem, video screens were filled with neon-green outlines of his silhouette and even the iconic Devil horns. 3D lights were then beamed out into the audience taking you up to the heavens. Keith may be gone but his legend lives on.
BLINK-182 – Main Stage
It was a pinch me moment as the crowd waited eagerly for the catch pop-punk pioneer’s grand return to Reading Festival. It’s been 10 years since the band took to the festival stage (and that was without the legend that is Tom DeLonge). When they walk on stage tonight, you felt like you were back in the early 2000’s delivering a classic Blink set filled with exactly what you’d expect – a dose of nostalgia, onstage antics and the same unsophisticated teenage humor that first put them on the map.
This set marked a long-awaited return for Blink-182 and it’s clear that the members have no intention of letting go of the charm that helped them get headliner status in the first place. Sounding as good as ever this was a headliner worthy of their headline slot.
The Last Dinner Party – Festival Republic Stage
You’d have to be living under a rock if you hadn’t heard of the monumental force that is The Last Dinner Party that has been taking the indie scene by storm. The rain may have dampened the site but it was clear that the spirits of the band and fans alike were not with TLDP gracing the stage and feeling right at home on the main stage of Reading Festival. Fans were treated to a spectacular setlist with a surprising cover of Sparks’ “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us”.
Lana Del Ray – Main Stage
In true Lana fashion the queen of pop turned up 20 minutes late and her set was cut 5 minutes short… still for Lana and fans alike this was a star studded performance that delivered the pop stars back catalog with grace and power. Sure it didn’t have the same theatrics as perhaps Blink-182 or Fred and yes the photos of Lana may have led you to beleive we were mourning the pop star but she was very much alive and although most traces were drowned out by the thumping over on the Cherom stage fans were not left dissapointed.
Her version of ‘Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd’ proved to be a spectacular highlight of the set and if you found the right spot it sounded as angelic as the record. In true Lana fashion, the queen of pop turned up 20 minutes late, and her set was cut five minutes short. Still, for Lana and her fans alike, this was a star-studded performance that delivered the pop star’s back catalog with grace and power. Sure, it didn’t have the same theatrics as perhaps Blink-182 or Fred, and yes, the photos of Lana may have led you to believe we were mourning the pop star, but she was very much alive. Although most tracks were drowned out by the thumping over on the Cherom stage, fans were not left disappointed. Her version of ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’ proved to be a spectacular highlight of the set, and if you found the right spot, it sounded as angelic as the record.
Fred Again… – Main Stage
Where to begin with this set. This is what Reading and Leeds is all about, seeing an artist who grew up coming to this festival and is now headlining the Saturday night! “Oh shit I’m nervous, I wanna say I know how you’re feeling because when I was 16, this was my first festival”.
Just as the lights dimmed you’d expect to see the electronic superstar pop up on stage, but not Fred… instead we see the Saturday night headliner emerge from the crowd on a surprise B-stage to play to the audience in the round. With a setlist that made you feel like you were in Ibiza and with a superb light and laser show to match this was a set like no other from the weekend.
CRAWLERS – Main Stage
After having their Friday set at Leeds canceled due to bad weather, a lot was riding on Crawlers’ main stage performance on Sunday afternoon. With the largest crowd we had seen at that time in the morning, it was clear that fans were eager to see what the Liverpool four-piece had to offer.
This was the band’s second time performing at the festival, and as they took the stage and kicked off their set with “I End Up Alone,” any first-time nerves were nowhere to be seen. They confidently strode into their performance as fans broke out into a sing-along. Festivals are all about creating unforgettable moments, and Crawlers delivered one of those with their closer, “Come On Over (Again),” where Holly draped a Pride flag over their shoulders. Watching the band come so far and enjoy every moment is what makes sets like these truly memorable.
PENDULUM – Main Stage
The end of an era, and a heavy one at that! While the crowd may have been a bit underwhelming (yes we’re looking at the kids who started a mosh pit as bassist Gareth McGrillen bellowed “hold it”) oh and did you catch our video of the kid about to beat his high score on Tetris? Besides the previously mentioned Pendulum set delivered a set for the ages, with back to back bangers throughout.
While it will always be a strange experience catching Pendulum in day light (we’re looking at you Download) their explosive opener ‘Napalm’ hit harder than expected and while this will be the last time we hear the likes of Tarantula the band showed their by no means slowing things down.
DELILAH BON – BBC Introducing Stage
After a summer full of festivals there was no better way to end the circuit than with Reading Festival for Delilah Bon and co. Delilah’s music is perfectly tailored for a live setting and allows her and the band to put on an absolute spectacle of a show – complete with two backing dancers and a bubble gun (because of course why not). Things aren’t all fun and games however, and behind this colorful performance are deep and meaningful lyrics that carry a weight to them. ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ is a standout that delivers a sense of empowerment and anger while also being an absolute blast to bang your head to. Here’s hoping with a new album due out in September that we get to see Delilah higher up on the bill next year!
Catfish & The Bottlemen – Main Stage
Unfortunately, Catfish were one of the few artists across the cursed weekend to suffer from technical difficulties. Just a few songs into their set the vocals of Van McCann can be heard but alas the guitar not so much. While some bands would storm off stage this was not the case and instead, the crowd erupted into a mass sing-along with Van shouting “fuck it cut the power off” as the crowd sang in unity to ‘Cocoon’. This is what Reading and Leeds is all about, making memories with your favorite musicians. Fortunately, the technical issues were sorted and the show went on bringing with it a reminder of why the Welsh group are about to embark on one of their biggest tours to date.
Liam Gallagher – Main Stage
There were rumbles in the press tent that a certain announcement was going to be made during Liam’s set this evening, press outlets like The Sun, Guardian and Telegraph were present and many began to wonder if this would be the moment the announcement would be made that the Gallagher brothers would be reuniting once again as Oasis. Alas, this wasn’t the case and a cryptic teaser closed the set, but that’s not to say this wasn’t a noteworthy performance with Liam delivering Oasis’ debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ in full to the full field of fans.
“I wanna dedicate this next song to Noel fucking Gallagher,” Liam announces during his festival-closing headline set, before leading what feels like every punter singing along to ‘‘Half the World Away’. Of course, now we know what he was hinting at during his performance and needless to say after this Reading set we’re more excited than ever to catch the Gallagher boys back up on the stage again.
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