Reading Festival 2016 was one you didn’t want to miss, and if you couldn’t go you can feel as though you were there through our top 10 highlights, from You Me At Six’s secret set (which wasn’t much of a secret) to all the incredible headliners. Except from having little to no internet or signal for nearly the whole weekend, it was an experience of a lifetime.
Before we get started, we’d like to thank all the amazing artists who played this year, no matter what stage they were on, and to all the staff, whether that’s security or someone who worked at a food stall, none of this would have been able to happen without you.
10. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ massive circle pit
During Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ set, Frank decided to start a gigantic circle pit which stretched all the way round from the main stage to the sound desk. One of the best parts about this was that Frank himself got involved. We’d just like to add that this was all before 2pm.
— Rock Sound (@rocksound) August 26, 2016
9. “Whoomp, there it is”
Sometimes at festivals there’s a random yet specific thing which tends to be shouted or done over the course of the festival. This year, it was shouting “whoomp, there it is”. It was either completely random or in time with the music. Josh Dun tweeted the phrase, possibly because it was being chanted during a part of their set on Friday!
whoomp.
there it is.
— josh dun (@joshuadun) August 27, 2016
8. Jenna from Tonight Alive’s inspirational speech
This was one very emotional moment we will never forget. Jenna talked about individuality, respect and the importance of live music. She goes on to say, “At a Tonight Alive show you know you’re safe to express yourself, and we must honour and respect that”. There was a clear connection between the audience and the band throughout the entire performance. Check out the video below for the full speech:
https://youtu.be/iKyMVxBgfqU?t=21m35s
7. The entertaining security
Sadly we don’t have any footage of this, but the security during the headliners were amazing! We witnessed some taking selfies with fans in the crowd and some taking group photos for people in the crowd. As well as that, a couple of them were giving out sweets between acts and having a good time with everyone around them. Thank you to all the brilliant security guards who made sure everyone was safe and hydrated by giving out cups of water, refilling people’s bottles for them and generally watching over the crowds.
6. State Champs opening the main stage
This must have been a huge moment for American pop punk band, State Champs. They opened the main stage on the final day of Reading Festival, with acts like Sleeping With Sirens and Five Finger Death Punch to follow, as well as the co-headliners, Fall Out Boy and Biffy Clyro. The five-piece did not disappoint. They finished their set with ‘Secrets’ which had many people jumping and waving their hands in the air, despite it only being around 12:30pm.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJtMhO2BG-g/?taken-by=statechampsny
5. You Me At Six’s secret set
The worst kept secret ever. The secret set at Reading Festival is quite a tradition, with everyone nervously anticipating who it’s gonna be, frantically analysing the set times and line up, as well as looking for any clues or hints. After You Me At Six had announced a new tour, there was speculation as to whether they could be the secret set. There was a slight confirmation that they were the secret set when the band account on Twitter started liking tweets about it. It was then later confirmed to be official. On Saturday, all the large You Me At Six posters plastered around the arena at Reading Festival were covered in spray paint writing saying, “4pm. The pit”.
This makes me happy @youmeatsix pic.twitter.com/2ln6lgWbf8
— Leyla M (@SamssTown) August 27, 2016
Needless to say it was an incredible set and performance; one we’re sure all You Me At Six fans will never forget. The band even performed their new song, ‘Night People’!
@youmeatsix @OfficialRandL it's getting hot in here pic.twitter.com/CUjaHiHrGH
— Festivals For All (@festivalsforall) August 27, 2016
4. Twenty One Pilots performing ‘Heathens’ and ‘Jump Around’
The last time the Ohio duo were at Reading Festival was in 2013 on the Festival Republic Stage. This year, they’ve moved up quite a bit to the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage, performing just before the headliner for that stage. They played an array of songs, such as ‘Holding on to You’, ‘Lane Boy’ and ‘Heavydirtysoul’ just to name a few. Twenty One Pilots’ song, ‘Heathens’, which is part of the soundtrack for Suicide Squad, was impressive live. It started off with Tyler playing the piano, then he moved onto the bass guitar once the beat kicked in. Later on in the set, the band covered House Of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ which got the crowd moving – not that they weren’t already!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E685NRR2N2Y
3. Fall Out Boy co-headlining
How do we even begin to describe Fall Out Boy’s set? From the moment they came on stage, to the moment they ended their final song, it was unforgettable. They played all their biggest hits, like ‘Dance, Dance’, ‘Thnks fr th Mmrs’ and ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’. At one point, Pete Wentz got into the crowd to sing with some very excited and loving fans! Their stunning performance of ‘Fourth of July’ was accompanied by fireworks shooting skywards from the top of the main stage.
2. Biffy Clyro and 50,000 voices
The Scottish trio done it again with an incredible performance at Reading the final weekend of August. Closing the main stage, while being co-headliners with Fall Out Boy, they sang with at least 50,000 people. Their show was one you didn’t want to miss; the lights, the fireworks and the band themselves were phenomenal.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJs4tV5j5EL/
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers headlining
Words cannot describe the mind-blowing performance Red Hot Chili Peppers gave us. Headlining the main stage at Reading on Saturday, they played some big hits, including, ‘Californication’, ‘Can’t Stop’ and ‘Dark Necessities’. The setup for their performance was quite different to all the other headliners we saw over the festival weekend. The band had a number of circular screens placed around the stage, and it was quite a view! It’s safe to say everyone there was waiting for this moment as there was never silence from the crowd. They ended their set with ‘Give It Away’ which went down very well!
That’s all for Reading Festival 2016, you will be dearly missed. We can’t wait to see who’ll be playing next year. Bring on 2017!
Did you attend Reading Festival? What’s your opinion on the weekend? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter or Facebook.
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