READING FESTIVAL PIC SPECIAL

READING was filled with excitement and anticipation as the Festival reopened after the 2020 lockdown halted all live events.

To ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers and festival goers, covid testing guidelines and scannable wristbands were issued to all attendees to accurately track test results at each festival entry point.

The streets of Reading may not have been heaving with wellie-clad festival goers as in previous years, but crossing the entrance to the festival was like walking into another time and place, demonstrating the sheer numbers eager to venture out after months of isolation and immerse themselves in festival atmosphere.

From the moment of arrival at the entrance Reading festival staff and volunteers provided a wealth of energy, positivity and assistance that made guests feel welcome.

The biggest difference from previous years at Reading Festival was the introduction of the two main stage layout, west and east.

With the quantity and variety of musical talent performing to fill the two stages, this provided festival goers with a great opportunity to catch up on all the music culture they’d missed throughout lockdown and experience the contagious energy and enthusiasm of the crowds as they navigated between the stages, while breathing in all the droolworthy aromas drifting from the array of food trucks, and the vibrant lights of the fairground rides surrounding them.

After months without live music, feeling the vibrations flowing through your body as the bass rocks out through the festival, and the closeness and camaraderie of like minded music fans as everyone crowds in close to get the best view is a freeing experience.

Neither covid or the chill in the air as the sun went down dampened the mood.

Arms were raised high, crowds jumped, danced and hugged, as crowd surfing and mosh pits continued with renewed energy, not to mention the volume of response from festival goers to the roaring pyrotechnics, the dazzling onstage light displays and as the sky behind the headliners erupted in streams of fireworks.

Whatever your taste in music, it was definitely a weekend to remember.