Reading Festival 2024 marked the end of the summer festival season and with it some legendary sets from blink-182, The Prodigy, Spiritbox, Neck Deep and more…
by Felix Bartlett | Aug 29, 2024
While this year’s edition of Reading and Leeds may go down in history as one of the more unpredictable on record—with sound issues, storms, and stages being blown away—it was still a weekend that proved to be an unforgettable experience. It’s no secret that the bank holiday weekender has shifted away from rock-heavy line-ups, but 2024 was full of surprises, delivering some of the biggest and most memorable sets from the best acts in the alternative scene.
So grab those bucket hats, tie-down that tent and let’s get stuck in to revisit some of the best alternative act moments from across the bank holiday weekend bonanza.
FROZEMODE – BBC Radio 1 Stage
While the initially planned antics of launching their new mixtape DEMODE 2 in the camping grounds of Reading Festival didn’t quite take off as planned the London-based alternative rap trio didn’t hold back dropping an unforgettable set filled to the brim with high-octane, punk-drenched alternative hip-hop tunes.
While the crew had plenty of new tracks to play with the trio even treated us to some unreleased tracks…
KID BRUNSWICK – BBC Radio 1 Stage
The sun was out but for Kid Brunswick in the BBC Radio 1 Tent, something darker was brewing. The end of the era for this project loomed overhead with many knowing this was effectively the funeral for his project in its current form. This may have been a funeral but damn this was no time to mourn this was a time for chaos.
Sporting his signature bandage-wrapped head this was a strong start to the day with fans surrounding the barrier screaming out every word whilst to the right fans got stuck into the first (but certainly not the last) mosh pit of the weekend.
LAMBRINI GIRLS – Festival Republic Stage
If you haven’t heard already Lambrini Girls are bloody fantastic and are a must-see if you’re ever presented with the chance. They didn’t just put on a show, this was an experience and everyone in the tent knew so. There was everything you could expect, mighty riffs, hard hitting drums and two powerful speeches calling for a free Palestine and to rally against the culture of silence surrounding sexual misconduct. Once again the girls show they’re making noise in all the right ways.
NECK DEEP – Main Stage
What’s better than one Neck Deep show? The answer is two and oh baby that’s what we were treated to at this year’s Reading Festival. Yes their initial set felt as though the band were somewhat holding back and we wished they brought some of their older tracks to the main stage but there’s no denying the Wrexham crew smashed through their set and delivered good time in doing so.
Their Festival Republic stage headline might have proved to be the more fan-oriented showcase, but seeing the pop-punk icons tear up the stage just a few hours before the likes of Blink-182 was one for the books. Here’s hoping the boys bring their all to their UK tour next year!
SPIRITXBOX – Main Stage
Murmurs and word were spreading across festival punters that one of the biggest names in metal was about to take on Reading’s main stage. Of course we knew what to expect in terms of music but nothing could have prepared us for how much of an epic set this was.
Hot off the back of winning Best International Artist at the Heavy Music Awards the night before Spiritbox came in hot, delivering one of the heaviest sets of the weekend. With songs like “Cellar Door” and “The Void,” they tore the crowd apart into a spinning pit. Courtney LaPlante’s signature dynamic shifts between gritty vocal force and soaring melodies resonated with a sea of new fans.
THE AMITY AFFLICTION – Festival Republic Stage
Being by far one of the heaviest acts across the weekend and being scheduled onto the Festival Republic Stage there was every chance this set could have gone either way. However, those worries were quickly put to rest as the tent filled out with dedicated fans ready to scream their hearts out for the aussie metal core powerhouse.
This was a set for the fans with a setlist featuring some of their best work to date. The likes of ‘It’s Hell Down Here’ hit the hardest and was delivered with precision and excellence. As the dust settled down ‘Soak Me In Bleach’ served as a fitting and heartfelt end to the set. This set once again showed why they’re a force to be reckoned with and with a new album in the works we can wait to see what’s to come next.
THE PRODIGY – Chevron Stage
One thought looms over everyone’s heads when heading to the Chevron Stage for the one and only The Prodigy. What will it be like without Keith Flint? The answer? An hour of electronic mayhem that never slows down and an unforgettable set that paid respect to the late Keith Flint.
Until Friday night (August 23), the band hadn’t performed at the festival since vocalist Keith Flint tragically died in 2019. The new Chevron dance stage and light show canopy above the crowd proved to be the perfect platform for their grand return.
When the band unleashed ‘Firestarter’, Flint’s anthem, video screens were filled with neon-green outlines of his silhouette and even the iconic Devil horns. 3D lights were then beamed out into the audience taking you up to the heavens. Keith may be gone but his legend lives on.
BLINK-182 – Main Stage
It was a pinch me moment as the crowd waited eagerly for the catch pop-punk pioneer’s grand return to Reading Festival. It’s been 10 years since the band took to the festival stage (and that was without the legend that is Tom DeLonge). When they walk on stage tonight, you felt like you were back in the early 2000’s delivering a classic Blink set filled with exactly what you’d expect – a dose of nostalgia, onstage antics and the same unsophisticated teenage humour that first put them on the map.
This set marked a long-awaited return for Blink-182 and it’s clear that the members have no intention of letting go of the charm that helped get them to headliner status in the first place. Sounding as good as ever this was a headliner worthy of their headline slot.
LOATHE – Festival Republic Stage
Lana Del Ray or Loathe? That was the question posed to most punters on Saturday night. While the distinctively un-heavy Saturday lineup appealed to fans of the ethereal voice of Lana those who gathered at the Festival Republic Stage were treated to an unforgettable set by Loathe (oh did we mention they were on time too).
The Liverpool crew revelled in the packed-out tent delivering tracks like White Hot and Dance On My Skin with unrivalled energy that was met to fans putting on one stellar mosh pit giving some new fans their first taste of the tradition. This evening the record was set straight. LOATHE are here and they’re the best they’ve ever been.
CRAWLERS – Main Stage
After having their Friday set at Leeds canceled due to bad weather, a lot was riding on Crawlers’ main stage performance on Sunday afternoon. With the largest crowd we had seen at that time in the morning, it was clear that fans were eager to see what the Liverpool four-piece had to offer.
This was the band’s second time performing at the festival, and as they took the stage and kicked off their set with “I End Up Alone,” any first-time nerves were nowhere to be seen. They confidently strode into their performance as fans broke out into a sing-along. Festivals are all about creating unforgettable moments, and Crawlers delivered one of those with their closer, “Come On Over (Again),” where Holly draped a Pride flag over their shoulders. Watching the band come so far and enjoy every moment is what makes sets like these truly memorable.
PENDULUM – Main Stage
The end of an era, and a heavy one at that! Whilst the crowd may have been a bit underwhelming (yes we’re looking at the kids who started a mosh pit as bassist Gareth McGrillen bellowed “hold it”) oh and did you catch our video of the kid about to beat his high score on Tetris? Besides the previously mentioned Pendulum set delivered a set for the ages, with back to back bangers throughout.
While it will always be a strange experience catching Pendulum in day light (we’re looking at you Download) their explosive opener ‘Napalm’ hit harder than expected and while this will be the last time we hear the likes of Tarantula the band showed their by no means slowing things down.
DELILAH BON – BBC Introducing Stage
After a summer full of festivals there was no better way to end the circuit than with Reading Festival for Delilah Bon and co. Delilah’s music is perfectly tailored for a live setting and allows her and the band to put on an absolute spectacle of a show – complete with two backing dancers and a bubble gun (because of course why not). Things aren’t all fun and games however, and behind this colourful performance are deep and meaningful lyrics that carry a weight to them. ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ is a standout that delivers a sense of empowerment and anger whilst also being an absolute blast to bang your head to. Here’s hoping with a new album due out in September that we get to see Delilah higher up on the bill next year!
SKRILLEX – Chevron Stage
Real MVPs knew what was up when given the chance to catch our once king of the emo scene. Yes, it’s been almost two decades since he transitioned from guitars in From First To Last to the decks, but no matter how familiar you are with the music his sets are impossible to forget.
Ending the weekend with a bang the distant sound of Liam Gallagher belting Oasis bangers could be heard from the back of the crowd but just as quickly as it was heard it was drowned out by the barrage of drum and bass, lasers and pyro that could give headliners of Bloodstock Festival Architects a run for their money.
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