The organisers of this year’s Reading And Leeds festivals have told fans not to carry flag into the main arena this year.
British festivals turn empty fields into a sea of colour. Sure, drunk blokes in novelty hats might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but think how empty your photos would be without them.
Flags are an institution at British music events. Whether they are used to mark out your tent, or a meeting place by the main stage most festivals are adorned by hundreds of fans bearing their colours.
However this year’s Reading and Leeds festival is set to be barren after organisers banned fans from taking flags into the main arena. In a statement on the event’s official website officials claimed that the move is to allow ticket holders the best view possible.
“Flags won’t be allowed in the arena. They restrict the view of people behind,” the website states.
The move has been met with some confusion by fans, many of whom have been attending for years with the same flag. So far, festival organisers have refused to answer pleas for information from fans, making the decision look final.
Reading and Leeds are continually expanding. Joined at the hip for more than a decade, the twin events are due to expand their capacity next year with almost ten thousand extra tickets set to be sold for each site.
However the festival needs to get this summer out of the way first. The bill for Reading and Leeds is mouth watering, with Sheffield indie giants Arctic Monkeys set to headline with a very special set.
Joining them on the bill are Oxford legends Radiohead, who recently stunned fans by releasing new material. Also due to perform are reformed metal titans Faith No More, playing a rare British festival date.
Containing some of the biggest groups around, Reading and Leeds is one of the best festivals in Europe. Just leave that flag at home!
Reading and Leeds takes place between August 28th – 30th.
