It’s been a mere week since live music icon, Reading Festival 2023, opened its doors for the final day of this year’s booming madness – and it’s safe to say that the 2023 edition was a memorable musical extravaganza. Nestled in the heart of the British summer, this annual gathering drew music enthusiasts from all corners of the country (and globe) to celebrate their shared passion for music (and the joy of the school year ending). With a line-up brimming of musical goodness and diverse genres, the festival brought together renowned headliners like Imagine Dragons, Foals, The 1975, Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, and The Killers, as well as a slew of already established and up-and-coming acts such as Nothing But Thieves, Rina Sawayama, Tom Odell, Giant Rooks, Ethel Cain, and many more. It was a weekend that got etched in our memories, but let’s relive the highlights for when we need a refresher.
The festivities kicked off on Friday, with headliners Sam Fender and Foals setting the main stages ablaze. Meanwhile, undercard acts like Sea Girls, Yonaka, Wet Leg, and You Me At Six (to name just a few) ignited the still-fresh and vibrant crowd, steadily climbing the festival’s line-up hierarchy. Indie giants Foals took everyone on a sonic rollercoaster, their set a fantastical blend of intricate guitar work and infectious beats, thanks to fiery tracks like ‘Black Bull’, ‘My Number’ and ‘What Went Down’, while frontman Yannis Philippakis’ charismatic presence and the band’s experimental approach to their music crafted an atmosphere of pure greatness and bright neon colours.
Closing the main stages for the day, rock prodigy Sam Fender stepped onto the stage for his debut UK headline slot. The young artist’s down-to-earth persona and relatability shone through once more, making the audience feel a connection beyond just his music, while songs such as ‘Alright’, ‘The Dying Light’, and the explosive finale with ‘Saturday’, ‘Seventeen Going Under’, and ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ had everyone singing along.
Where clouds and rain showers were putting a stop to the sunbeams hitting the fields, there was no end of great sets on Saturday, with busy bodies bustling from the early hours to catch anticipated sets from acts such as Only The Poets, Arlo Parks, Easy Life, Inhaler and many more.
Alt-rock kings Nothing But Thieves stepped into the spotlight of the main stage east in the late afternoon, sleek outfits and pyro in tow, showcasing their exceptional talent for crafting songs that tear at your heartstrings while simultaneously getting mosh pits going front, centre and back. Singer Conor Mason’s haunting vocals coupled with the band’s unrelenting energy created an ethereal atmosphere that captured the essence of alt-rock as it lives and breathes, with hits like ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘Unperson’ as well as newer releases such as ‘Overcome’ and ‘Welcome to the DCC’. Their set was a glimpse into the future of rock, where authenticity reigns supreme, leaving the packed audience utterly captivated and breathless.
What followed was a once-in-a-lifetime performance by the one and only The 1975, the nation’s indie sweethearts. Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their debut self-titled record, the always-in-high-demand four-piece brought a unique set to Reading’s grounds, playing that very same album in full while adding a mashup of their greatest hits at the end, cumulating in the gut-wrenching ‘About You’. With the iconic neon rectangle, visuals dipped in black and white and Matty Healy’s ethereal pop melodies, the band’s set acted as a soothing balm for the soul, intertwining nostalgia and contemporary commentary with everything an indie kid could wish for.
Brandon Flowers and company then brought their absolute A-game to close the main stage west, delivering hit after iconic hit with boundless energy for their headline set. Unsurprisingly, ecstatic the crowd went wild for classics like ‘Mr. Brightside’ and ‘When You Were Young’, while the dazzling pyrotechnics added an extra layer of spectacle to an already mesmerizing performance, which also included a surprise drum performance by an excited fan, chosen to perform with the band on the spot.
For the grand finale, Reading Festival brought out the best of the best from all corners of the music world, showcasing astonishing sets from Ethel Cain, MUNA, Rina Sawayama, Declan McKenna, Giant Rooks, Steve Lacy and Becky Hill, just to name a few.
Headliners Imagine Dragons took the stage with an explosion of energy that set the tone for the remaining few hours of the night. Their electrifying performance had the crowd on their feet, belting out every word to hits old and new. When those iconic notes of ‘Radioactive’ hit the air, the entire festival grounds turned into a giant sing-along, while rocky numbers such as ‘I’m So Sorry’ and ‘Enemy’ had the full crowd in a bounce. Lead singer Dan Reynolds’ impassioned vocals and the band’s pulsating rhythms created an atmosphere that surged through the audience, leaving hearts racing and voices raised in unison. It was a set that will be remembered for a long time, even more so than their previous show in 2016, featuring endless amounts of confetti, mega-sized balloons and a firework worthy of a headline slot at the famous Tomorrowland.
Billie Eilish, the superstar herself, then finally proved why she’s the voice of a generation. Gathering everyone around main stage east, Eilish’s ethereal vocals combined with her unique stage presence had all of her adoring fans entranced, leaving them screaming for ultra-hits ‘Bad Guy’, ‘Bury A Friend’, and ‘You Should See Me In A Crown’. Backed by her two-piece band – including brother and co-writer Finneas – it was a hauntingly captivating performance that left no eye dry, thanks to Eilish’s hushed voice and emotive tracks such as the newly released ‘What Am I Made For’, famously written for the uber-blockbuster Barbie. And when the final firework dropped on the starry night sky, it felt like a collective explosion of pent-up excitement that is cast over the crowd – one that left everyone eager for more.
In a symphony of electrifying performances and collective euphoria, Reading Festival 2023 delivered a whirlwind of musical diversity and emotional resonance. Anyone ready to do it all over again next year? We’ll see you there.
Written by Laura Weingrill // photography by Chloe Newman, Luke Dyson, Ben Awin, Sarah Louise Bennett & Isha Shah
GEM Magazine 