Reading Festival is a right of passage. It’s a place for fans to bear witness to their idols, for reputations to be forged, but also broken.
This year brought thousands upon thousands of fans to the site, with Reading Festival serving up once of its broadest, most eclectic bills yet. The highlights are almost too many to mention – Day One saw Sam Fender up the ante yet again, the Newcastle songwriter delivering a knockout set. Foals illustrated why they are so beloved, while Yard Act also impressed.
Elsewhere, we caught sets from grime kingpin D Double E, double BRIT winners Wet Leg, Sainte, Meekz, and Palaye Royale.
Blue-haired alt-pop rebel Ashnikko celebrated the release of their new album with a triumphant set, while we also watched outstanding performances from Tion Wayne with Ceechynaa, Charlotte Plank, Jesse Jo Stark, and Nessa Barrett.
Photographer Ben McQuaide with the shots from Day One.
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