Day 2 of the festival and it’s back to the Festival Republic tent for the first few bands.

Thumper start off the day energetically with their two drum set up, jagged guitars and hook filled choruses. It doesn’t take long for the singer to jump into the crowd, still awakening from the previous day’s excesses, for some audience participation. It’s a more than welcome start to the day.

Leeds band Static Dress bring more emo alt rock filled tunes to the tent with another entertaining set, although the crowd is still to awaken from its slumber. That all changes when The Skinner Brothers turn up - the tent is heaving and the kids are going crazy. The band have the same self-believing swagger that the Gallagher brothers brought us in the nineties. Singalong tunes galore adorn the set and I lost count of the number of times various members of the band ended up in the crowd. Singer Zach brought cans of beer for the crowd and within minutes the front of the crowd was drenched in cheap lager.  As a live experience, the lads have got a lot going for them and don’t they know it.

By comparison, Taipei Houston were plain static and a bit of a comedown. The two piece sound good with their grungy garage rock but there is a long way before they can command the sort of audience that their famous father can.

Next up was the first main stage act of the day. I saw Poppy play one of the tents pre lockdown on a whim and was impressed by the mish mash of J-Pop kawaii and thrash metal screaming. Last year’s ‘Flux’ album showed a slight mellowing of the sound but there is little of that aspect on show today. Opening with the truly disturbing but brilliant ‘Concrete’, Poppy easily wins over the crowd. New song ‘FYB’ is well received and by the time we finish with ‘I Disagree’ and ‘Say Cheese’ we are exhilarated and exhausted all at the same time.  

Over on the Festival Republic stage Sueco are recreating the sort of pop punk that dominated the old punk tent many years ago. It’s enjoyable but nothing ground breaking. I last saw Cassyette playing with Frank Carter on last year’s secret Reading set, so it was good to see her performing her own songs. She certainly has stage presence as she flits across the stage and there is a Pink element to her songs so it will be interesting to see where she goes. Tik Tok star Carolesdaughter brings her emo pop to the UK and it is pleasant albeit with disturbing lyrics.

Ho99o9 conclude the proceedings in the tent for the day although it is only 7pm. Despite the early time slot for a headliner, it’s a cracking hardcore set full of imagery and lyrical anger. Bonus points for best hat of the festival as well. Wolf Alice are on the main stage and they are cementing their right to be there. They have enough variance in their set list (and some decent tunes) to keep everyone happy.

Next up is my first main stage headliner for the weekend. I’ve seen Bring Me the Horizon a few times and they have always been a decent distraction. Starting with a lengthy Blade Runner style spoken intro, the band launch into ‘Can You Feel My Heart’ and the place is bouncing. The stage set is amazing with the multiple tiers changing colours throughout the songs. It is a visual feast and it only enhances the songs. ‘Teardrops’ has the crowd in rapture and it goes on, song after song. Not even Ed Sheeran appearing for ‘Bad Habits’ can dampen the atmosphere. The band finish with ‘Throne’ but not before Oli Sykes has run the length of the safety barriers to the middle of the crowd to thank the legions of adoring fans. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a main stage headliner this much and I’m so glad that I took the gamble.

Arctic Monkeys on the other hand were dreary and 40 minutes in, the bus home beckoned. Alex Turner’s gang have a few decent tunes, but after BMTH, this was the antithesis of what had gone before.

Day 2 was over and had once again brought some treats (even on the main stage). What would day 3 bring?

Thumper - Reading 2022 Static Dress - Reading 2022 The Skinner Brothers - Reading 2022 Poppy - Reading 2022 Cassyette - Reading 2022 Carolesdaughter - Reading 2022 Ho99o9 - Reading 2022 Bring Me the Horizon - Reading 2022