Reading Festival - Day Two

Indie rock king Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys...pic by Sidney Bernstein

EVEN from first thing in the morning, there is a sense of expectation and excitement in the air with the Arctic Monkeys waiting for us at the end of the day.

But that's still some time away. The day for RealSoundsOK starts with a touch of Tea Street Band in the Dance Tent before heading to Lonely The Brave on the NME stage.

Like Twin Atlantic yesterday, it's a tight little set that gears you up for a day of music without really getting you over-excited. I was, perhaps, put out by vocalist David Jakes taking up position at the rear of the stage by the drums rather than near the front. A band needs a leader, doesn't it?

My disappointment was not helped by a "quick" jaunt back to the car that took the best part of an hour and saw us miss Royal Blood. 

Lower Than Atlantis rocked it...pic by Joshua Halling

However, RealSoundsOK was back on site in time to catch Lower Than Atlantis deliver an absorbing set. Kicking off with If The World Was To End, they also performed favourites like (Motor)Way Of Life and Deadliest Catch alongside new tracks English Kids In America and Here We Go for the finale. Great stuff.

We saw some of The Hives as well as Foster The People and Imagine Dragons, none of whom managed to impress enough to make me want to see them again. And I'm gutted I made the decision to see some of these over Don Broco, whose performance - on replay - trumped them all. Sorry guys.

Another tough choice came later on as we decided against watching new kid on the block Jake Bugg (who earlier did a secret acoustic set on the BBC Introducing Stage) in favour of Bombay Bicycle Club. It was the right decision.

For me, Bugg's sound is not original. Too many of his tracks "sounds a bit like...". Bombay Bicycle Club sounded different - with a vibe and sense of fun from their indie rock that had been missing from too many of the bands today.

And, rightly, the NME tent was packed out for them - a cracking feat when the child prodigy was up against them on the Main stage.

The Hives...pic by Sidney Bernstein

Enthusiasm returned, it was over to the Main stage for the Arctic Monkeys. I've always been put out by the fact so many people tell me I have to like AM. And to spite them, I don't own any of their albums.

They are - however - purveyors of superb, British rock n roll music and in Alex Turner - who is slowly turning into The Fonz - they have one of the suavest frontmen in music today.

Starting with Do I Wanna Know?, the Sheffield lads performed a whopping 20-song set as they wound down their UK tour of their album AM.

Dancing Shoes, Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair, Crying Lightning, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, When The Sun Goes Down were all included in a triumphant performance before an encore of One For The Road, Snap Out Of It and R U Mine?

British indie rock music at its best. Smooth, cocky and sounding superb.

Sir Elton and Snoop Dogg to headline Bestival

YOU certainly can't accuse the organisers of Bestival of not offering an eclectic mix of music at this year's festival with Elton John and Snoop Dogg announced as its headliners for Saturday and Sunday nights.

This year is the 10th anniversary festival and Sir Elton and Snoop will be joined on the bill by the likes of M.I.A., Franz Ferdinand, The Flaming Lips, The Knife, Wu-Tang Clan, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Roots and many more.

“I haven’t played any of the major festivals in the UK in recent years, so when the opportunity to play Bestival came up I was very interested," said Sir Elton. "I’ve heard that the Bestival audience comes in fancy dress and I can’t wait to see that, they must all look amazing from the stage. 

"At various times I have worn enormous feathered head-dresses, cloaks, hot pants, jumpsuits, clown suits, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, French Maid, The Eiffel Tower and The Statue of Liberty onstage! Wearing fancy dress makes us all feel less inhibited so I think it’s a great way to enjoy live music."

Bestival takes place from September 5-8 at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight, England.

For the full festival line up - including which DJs will be playing sets - visit the official website at www.Bestival.net

Tickets are on sale now with a wealth of ticket types and payment options. For more, visit www.ticketline.co.uk/bestival-tickets