Chris HTF’s Reading Festival Highlights Of The Last 10 Years

So this year will actually be my 11th year at Reading Festival which is pretty insane. I thought it mite be nice to have a look back at some of my personal highlights of the past 10 years and share them with you so we can all get excited about what will come this year! I have seen soo many amazing bands during that time so I’ve tried to pick some highlights that stick out in my memory as particularly epic moments. Let us know what your favourite Reading moments are in the comments.

So here’s a selection of videos, in no particular order, of some of my favourite Reading Festival times……

Save Ferris – Reading 2000

So back in the day I was a huge ska kid and was a huge fan of the amazing Save Ferris. I was actually so excited to see them play I may have cried with joy haha Here’s a clip that is actually from their appearance in 1998 but you will see why I loved them so much!

Atari Teenage Riot – Reading 1999

My first Reading Festival and whats the first thing I wake up to see on a saturday morning… ATARI TEENAGE RIOT!! One of the most intense sets I have ever seen. Nothing beats seeing 3 Germans screaming over what can only be described as Techno/Gabba mixed with Slayer! Fucking awesome!

System Of A Down – Prison Song –  Reading 2001

If I remember rightly Prison Song had literally only been released on a Metal Hammer compilation at this time so when they opened with this it truly melted peoples faces off! Epic set!

NOFX – Reading 2002 / 2005

Every time I’ve seen NOFX they never fail to disappoint no matter how drunk and how much they fuck up! Just gotta love em!

Offspring – Reading 2002

I’d seen The Offsping back in ’99 but around this time I was really into the Americana album and this was just an epic show for me! I sung every last word!

Pennywise – Bro Hymn – Reading 2003

I will always remember this set due to the fact I managed to get on stage to sing Bro Hymn along with Fletcher from Pennywise and Chris from Lagwagon. The only video I could find was from their set in 2008 but if you image me on stage singing my heart out then you will get the idea!

Smashing Pumpkins – 1979 – Reading 2007

All I remember is me being with some random guy who I can’t remember the name of, beer in hand, the stage lights lighting up the sky and one of the best feelings ever! Was a truly epic moment.

50 Cent – Reading 2004

This was memorable for the epic bottling of 50 and G Unit off the stage. The Reading crowd was not into 50 at all and the moment he came on stage absolute chaos erupted. My favourite part of this whole thing though was a guy walking round with a sign saying “50 Cent…. thats 27p here mate!” haha

Kate Nash – Reading 2007

I ended up going to see the Nash on my own but loved every minute. I still have a flag I got from the set saying “Kate Nash says get drunk and dance!” stuck on my wall. I also love the fact someone threw a lemon at her haha

Paramore – Reading 2007

First on stage on saturday morning! How things have changed! I used to play their first album constantly on my mobile phone while at work so was real excited to finally see them live and they didn’t dissapoint at all!

There’s also some other that I can’t find any good videos for……..

Andrew WK – Reading 2002: Single handedly the greatest gig I have ever been to! At first people bottled him until he made a speech telling people he was just here to have fun and if throwing bottles means they are having fun then he is all for it! Bottles hit the floor and Reading festival announced him as their new god!! Possible best moment of my life!

Municipal Waste – Reading 2009: Never have I seen a band that can form a circle pit as fast as the waste!!! Surely any band that can announce “This songs about moshing on christs face!” has to be a winner!

Ataris – Reading 2003 – One of my fav bands ever and I got to watch from the side of the stage! Amazing!

Muse – Reading 1999 – Still the best time I have ever seen Muse. They played the smallest stage at the festival and being local boys obviously had to go and see them. They had the crowd eating out the palm of their hand and little did they know a few years later we would see them headlining the main stage!

Less Than Jake – Reading 1999 – I think there was one of their first ever UK shows and was back when Reading had the Vans Warped Tour. It was incredible. Fire breathers, circle pits and I think I bought every bit of merch they had!

Hatebreed – Reading 2005 - One of the most intense pits I’ve ever encountered. The fact it was kicking off when all that could be heard was feedback from the amps was a sign it was gonna get messy! Awesome!

Lightyear – Reading 2002(?) – Lightyear were one of the UK finest ska/punk bands and they decided as they couldn’t play at the festival they would set up and play in the camp with a generator and all their equipment! Lasted about 2 songs but was fucking brilliant although I did feel sorry for all the camps around them who’s tents got trampled into oblivion from the masses of people that came to see them

Well that’s my rundown! Obviously there has been soo many bands during that 10 years that have been amazing but hope you have enjoyed my insight into maybe a few you may not have known! Let’s see if any bands this year make the list!