August 23, 2008, 7:40 am : Reading Festival | Day 1 & 2

Day 2, August 23 | An exciting, long, ankle-withering day on the dirt. Started with Santogold, who I missed at Coachella - she was great, really good 80s-styled fun, then dove into Fight Like Apes, Louis XIV, The Audition, White Lies, Foals, Justice, Attack! Attack!, with a wee bit of Raconteurs (dull) and We Are Scientists (still struggling with them) before a big plate of spicy wedges and the Killers. The Reading Council has a very strict noise ban, so the Killers were just a little louder than the AM radio we had in our Toyota Corolla when I was 12. The incredibly drunk and tone-deaf dudes surrounding us were louder than the band, which came out and did note-perfect versions of all the hits. The best bit was ‘When You Were Young’ and ‘All these things that I’ve done’, with extra added ticker-tape! I sent a txt to a short-code on a poster which shouted ‘Exclusive Killers New Album Preview’. A few seconds later I got a return txt from ‘The Killers’ and from the message I’m assuming that their new album is called ‘Stay tuned for more previews and updates’, since that is all that was in the message. When are bands who live and die by interacting with their fans going to learn that the deeper and more personal connection they make with me, the more I’m going to love them? In the Killers’ case, that day is still to come. Maybe I should send them a return txt and let them know that I’d be happy to help them out? As we were leaving the rain started to sprinkle down, now turning into a steady pour. Off to put on my Wellington boots and hit the last day of the Reading Festival for 2008.

Day 1, August 22 |
I feel like I am still in Day 1 mode, since we arrived less than 24 hours ago from London. Straight into the bands after a quick bag drop. Saw MGMT, Vampire Weekend, QOTSA, Wombats, Babyshambles, a bit of the Fratellis and Dan Le Sac v. Scroobius Pip. Highlight so far has been Babyshambles, not really a fan, but it was the best act on at same time as Rage Against the Machine. I saw Rage at Coachella last year and they still haven’t made any new music! I half expected Pete Doherty to come out late, puke and faint but I am obviously reading too many tabloids since coming to London. The band was tight, sounded great and was fun to watch, especially since the tent was half full! Scrambled over to catch the end of Dan Le Sac, which was intimate (eg: Half Full) and loads of fun, when not being drowned out by Rage on the main stage. On my way over for Day 2, will post pics and more typing tomorrow. Onward!