reading preview - friday

So with Reading now less than a month away and the full lineup announced, its time to look ahead at the fun to come.  Who will i be watching, who will i be avoiding.....so these may turn into mammoth post, we shall see.  Hopefully there will also be bands i don't know, but will end up seeing and loving, that's always the way.

Following a nice friday morning cooked breakfast in town its over to the NME/Radio 1 stage to see Surfer Blood.  These guys got a mention in a recent post and what a way to start the festival.  They're swiftly followed on the R1 stage by New Young Pony Club.  The four-piece from London released their first album Fantastic Playroom (which i loved!)  in 2007 borrowing heavily from their new wave and post-punk influences.  They've returned this year with new album The Optimist.  Take a listen to first album highlight 'The Bomb' and new single 'The Chaos'.

Swim - Surfer Blood
The Bomb - New Young Pony Club
Chaos - New Young Pony Club

Then, if you're in the mood for something a bit heavier, how about heading over to the Festival Republic stage to see Leeds rockers Pulled Apart by Horses.  Or if you fancy something a bit more sunny (or you're just feeling lazy) you could stay and watch San Franciscans Girls on the R1 stage.  Whichever you chose, you must be back at the R1 stage right after for the set which is nailed on to be one of the highlights of the weekend.  So so excited about seeing Two Door Cinema Club, their album is ace and they have the sort of tunes which should be muchos fun live.....get ready to bounce!!

I punched a lion in the throat - Pulled apart by horses
Laura - Girls
Undercover Martyn - Two Door Cinema Club

On a bit of a comedown after TDCC, there's a bit of time to wonder and maybe discover some bands i don't know (or don't know so well).  Some possible candidates could be electro-pop duo The Big Pink who won the NME Philip Hall Radar award in 2009, New York experimental act Yeasayer, Manchester-based alternative dance band Delphic or an old festival favourite Adam Green (of Moldy Peaches fame).  Moldy Peaches were the first act i saw at Reading festival all the way back in 2001.

Dominos - The Big Pink
Ambling Alp - Yeasayer
Counterpoint - Delphic
Who's got the crack - Moldy Peaches

Then we have the first potential nightmare clash of the weekend!!  Third from the top on the main stage are fierce Scots rockers Biffy Clyro, whilst on the R1 stage are Mumford & Sons, one of my bands of the year.  Big dilemma, now hopefully the timings will be kind and i can get to see both.  Otherwise, there's a big decision to be made.........but how can i pick between the 'Mountains' and 'The Cave'!  Two bands nominated for the Mercury Prize this year for their brilliant albums, 'Only Revolutions' and 'Sigh No More', they really are two of my must see bands.  Please be kind scheduling gods!!

Mountains - Biffy Clyro
Machines - Biffy Clyro
           vs
Roll away your stone - Mumford & Sons
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

With the sounds of one of my festival highlights ringing in my ears, we have time for one more act before the headliners. But will it be french alt-rockers Phoenix (R1 stage) or Leeds indie boys Sunshine Underground (Festival Republic stage). Either would be good, probably see how energetic i'm feeling (or drunk!).

Run Run Run - Phoenix
Lisztomania - Phoenix
Put you in your place - Sunshine Underground
Spell it out - Sunshine Underground

Finally to the headliners.  On the main stage are Guns n Roses, who i will most definitely be avoiding!  Which leaves a couple of nice options, on the festival republic stage Marina and the Diamonds will be twinkling away with the her charming pop tunes.  Personally though i'll be over in the R1 tent getting down to LCD Soundsystem.  They played quite late on a couple of years ago and really got the party going, so headlining this year i'm expecting great things....glow sticks at the ready!!

I am not a robot - Marina and the Diamonds
Daft Punk is playing in my house - LCD Soundsystem
All my friends - LCD Soundsystem

Looks like a pretty good opening day in store, and that's only the warm up for the rest of the weekend!!