Running Away From Carnival: Reading Festival 2024

Under a sky that shifted between sun and storm, Reading Festival 2024 delivered an unforgettable weekend of genre-spanning music, with a lineup that ranged from punk legends to boundary-pushing electronic artists. Shaking off its rock-heavy roots, this year’s festival showcased a dynamic blend of acts, proving that Reading is more than just a rite of passage for first-year university students—it’s a cultural powerhouse that knows how to evolve while honouring its legacy.

Reading Festival 2024 (Picture: Luke Dyson)

Friday, August 23rd: Punk, Metal, and Everything In Between

Reading Festival 2024 launched into full throttle on Friday with a spectrum of musical acts that set the tone for the weekend. The BBC Radio 1 Stage opened with Kid Brunswick, whose dark, moody set perfectly encapsulated the emotional intensity of his project, which he revealed would soon come to an end. His performance felt like a raw farewell, with every track building to a feverish climax. The mosh pits erupted as he commanded the stage, proving that this project had plenty of life left, even in its final moments.

Next up on the Main Stage was Kneecap, the Belfast-based rap trio. Known for their politically charged and subversive lyrics, Kneecap didn’t hold back. Their bold banners condemning various political issues added to the fiery, rebellious atmosphere. Their set, filled with sharp satire and raw energy, embodied punk’s ethos without needing guitars. It was a brilliant mix of humour and protest, as their distinct blend of Irish and English rap ignited a massive reaction from the crowd. With their increasing prominence, Kneecap’s performance at Reading was pivotal in their rise.

Neck Deep, a pop-punk mainstay, performed two sets on Friday, solidifying their place as genre torchbearers. Their first appearance on the Main Stage was pure adrenaline—high-energy and infectious. Tracks like In Bloom and STFU had the audience shouting every word back at the band. Their evening set on the Festival Republic Stage provided a more intimate glimpse into the band’s evolution, diving into their more profound, emotionally charged songs. The band’s undeniable growth from their early days was on full display, with this second set acting as a bridge between their past and their promising future.

The evening rolled on with a soulful, emotional performance by Jorja Smith. Taking the BBC Radio 1 Stage, Jorja captivated the audience with her stunning voice and striking new blonde hair—a visual marker of her artistic transformation. With hits like Blue Lights and Be Honest, she brought a delicate mix of vulnerability and power to the stage. A surprise appearance from AJ Tracey to perform Ladbroke Grove sent the crowd into a frenzy, marking one of the day’s standout moments. Her set was a masterclass blending R&B and pop, effortlessly creating an intimate yet energetic atmosphere.

As the sun set, Blink-182 took the stage for a long-awaited return at Reading Festival. Their headlining performance was a triumphant celebration of their decades-long career. Kicking things off with Feeling This, Blink-182 delved into a set packed with fan-favourite tracks like What’s My Age Again?, All The Small Things, and even newer material such as Dance With Me. The emotional highlight of their set came with One More Time, a touching tribute to the band’s journey, complete with a montage of memories projected on the screens. Mark Hoppus, the charismatic frontman, had the crowd laughing with his irreverent banter. Blink-182’s performance was a nostalgic throwback and a reminder of their lasting influence in pop-punk.

The Prodigy closed the night on the Chevron Stage, cranking the energy to seismic levels. Their performance was a sonic assault, with classics like Firestarter and Breathe shaking the ground beneath the festival-goers’ feet. Despite the absence of frontman Keith Flint, who tragically passed away in 2019, The Prodigy paid a heartfelt tribute with laser-lit silhouettes of Keith, ensuring his presence was felt throughout the night. The Chevron Stage, bathed in flashing lights and surrounded by a sea of dancing fans, transformed into an epic rave, capping off an explosive Day One.

Saturday, August 24th: A Day of Eclectic Surprises

Saturday at Reading Festival 2024 was marked by thrilling performances, surprising moments, and a genre-spanning lineup that kept festival-goers on their toes.

The day kicked off with The Last Dinner Party, one of the fastest-rising acts of 2024, who delivered a spellbinding set on the BBC Radio 1 Stage. Their mix of art-rock and gothic pop was met with resounding enthusiasm from the crowd, who sang along to tracks like Nothing Matters. Their energy and undeniable chemistry with the audience solidified their status as one of the weekend’s standout acts. The band’s powerful vocals and genre-blending sound, which fuses orchestral elements with indie rock, captivated both fans and first-time listeners. This performance marked a new high in their rapid ascent, showing that The Last Dinner Party is a force to watch​.

RAYE took the stage later in the day, delivering a set showcasing her transformation as an artist. While her music has shifted from the deeply personal and introspective songs that once defined her, RAYE effortlessly adapted to the festival vibe. Her performance was festival-ready, packed with energetic tracks like Escapism and Hard Out Here that had the crowd moving. Though some fans may have longed for the “true-to-herself” RAYE of earlier days, her ability to read the room and tailor her set for the festival environment was impressive. Her artistic evolution was fully displayed, and she delivered one of the afternoon’s most engaging sets​.

The anticipation was palpable as Lana Del Rey took the Main Stage on Saturday night for one of the weekend’s most anticipated performances. Known for her ethereal sound and melancholic lyrics, Lana captivated the crowd with haunting renditions of tracks like Summertime Sadness an Video Games. Her delicate and more fragile appearance, sparking conversations about her weight loss, added a layer of intrigue to the already ethereal atmosphere. The crowd was under her spell, but that magic was abruptly cut short when the festival ran out of time, and Lana’s set ended 10 minutes early. Festival-goers were left to watch fireworks in silence, disappointed by the sudden ending yet mesmerized by the beauty of her earlier songs​.

Meanwhile, on the Festival Republic Stage, Viagra Boys delivered a wildly eccentric performance that transformed the space into a chaotic, punk-fueled disco. Tracks like Ain’t No Thief and Sports had the crowd bouncing, while frontman Sebastian Murphy’s offbeat humour and saxophonist Oskar Carls’ wild solos injected an extra dose of fun into the night. It was one of the quirkiest sets of the weekend, a perfect blend of irreverence and raw energy​.

As the night progressed, festival-goers faced a tough decision: Fred Again.. or The Wombats? Performing on the Chevron Stage, Fred again… delivered a deeply emotional set that blended heart-on-sleeve lyrics with infectious house beats. His ability to connect with the audience through his personal storytelling was evident, especially as he shared how the Reading Festival was his first festival experience as a teenager. Tracks like Turn On The Lights Again.. and Delilah (pull me out of this) had the crowd in a euphoric trance. Fred’s set was not just a musical performance but a journey, leaving the crowd in awe of his skill as both a producer and a storyteller​.

On the other hand, The Wombats, playing their first show in ten months, delivered a classic festival performance on the BBC Radio 1 Stage. With hits like Moving to New York and Techno Fan, the band showed their polished professionalism and ability to command a crowd. Their set was complete with the upbeat, danceable indie tracks that have made them festival favourites. The band’s energy was infectious, and their reunion with the festival circuit was a triumphant return​.

Sunday, 25th: Ending the Weekend with a Brother Reunion

The final day of Reading Festival 2024 was a fitting end to a weekend full of standout moments, with Liam Gallagher stealing the show. Liam’s performance of Definitely Maybe sent waves of nostalgia through the crowd. Opening with the anthemic Rock ‘N’ Roll Star, Gallagher’s signature swagger was on full display as fans sang along to every word. His timeless voice and stage presence reminded everyone why he’s still one of rock’s most magnetic frontmen. The set’s emotional high came with Live Forever, with the crowd’s collective voice booming through the festival grounds. However, the real buzz came at the end, as the screens teased an Oasis announcement for August 28th, igniting rumours of a reunion between Liam and Noel Gallagher. This tantalizing hint left fans excited, adding a historical note to an already unforgettable weekend​.

The BBC Radio 1 Stage hosted Destroy Boys earlier in the day, whose punk-laden energy set the tone for a lively Sunday. Their blend of punk rock and emotional vulnerability resonated with the audience, giving the final day a strong start. Over on the BBC Introducing Stage, Michael Aldag wowed the crowd with his catchy and upbeat tracks, bringing a refreshing pop twist to the festival’s final hours​.

Meanwhile, Catfish and the Bottlemen turned a near-disaster into triumph as technical difficulties threatened their set. However, their charm and crowd engagement ensured their performance remained a highlight of the day. They overcame the early hiccups with fan-favorite tracks like Fallout and 7, cementing their place as one of the festival’s crowd-pleasers​.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky. Renee Rapp faced one of the most challenging moments of the weekend. After starting her set with technical difficulties, she returned to the stage only to be drenched by a sudden downpour that flooded the equipment. Despite her efforts to power through, the weather forced her to cut her performance short. However, her resilience in the face of adversity won her a new legion of fans, who will remember her determination to deliver against all odds​.

21 Savage delivered a solid set in the late afternoon, though it lacked the standout moments that elevate festival performances to legendary status. His festival-ready setlist, including hits like A Lot and Bank Account, had the crowd swaying, but it followed a more formulaic pattern compared to the more unpredictable acts of the weekend. While polished and professional, 21 Savage’s performance left some wanting more edge​.

Over on the BBC Radio 1 Stage, Ashnikko delivered a stormy, high-energy performance that combined theatrics with infectious beats. Her unique blend of pop, rap, and punk had the entire tent bouncing, with hits like Working Bitchand Slumber Party turning the crowd into a hive of energy. Ashnikko’s dynamic stage presence and tight choreography made her one of the weekend’s most memorable performers, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with​.

Later that night, Skrillex took over the Chevron Stage with a blistering 90-minute set, closing the festival with an electrifying rave. Known for his genre-defying sound, Skrillex kept the energy levels sky-high with a visual and sonic spectacle that left the crowd breathless. His use of CO2 canisters, intense laser shows, and a mix of old hits with newer tracks turned the Chevron Stage into a pulsing, otherworldly experience. Fans were reminded why Skrillex remains one of the most influential figures in electronic music today​.

Skrillex at Reading Festival 2024 (Picture: Luke Dyson)

Reading Festival 2024 delivered a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, affirming its place as a staple in the UK’s festival scene. The lineup encapsulated the festival’s evolution from a rock-heavy past to a more genre-diverse, inclusive future. Iconic performances from legendary acts like Blink-182 and The Prodigy thrilled long-time festival-goers, while newer artists like RAYE and The Last Dinner Party showcased the event’s embrace of rising talent. This year’s eclectic range of genres – spanning punk, pop, electronic, and rap – ensured everyone had something to celebrate, making it a cultural touchstone for modern music fans.

The only drawback? The food. Overpriced and inedible offerings left much to be desired, with many festival-goers reminiscing about the far superior food scene at other festivals​. The general consensus was clear: the food didn’t match the high-energy spirit of the festival. Nonetheless, musically and atmospherically, Reading 2024 will go down as one of the most memorable editions in its storied history.