by
Name: Ollie (Lord High Editor of News)
1. Main Stage: Sahara Hotnights
The first band on the Saturday they're bound to get a crowd of day ticketers wondering who the hell they are, but those of us who grabbed their 2nd album a few months ago will know what to expect. One of the many Swedish bands to make an impact in the UK scene over the past year, they've got the depth that The Hives often lack, and the good time/no politics that T(I)NC sometimes miss out on. While they might be largely ignored by the early crowd, this means it will one Swedish set you'll easily be able to get to see, so do.
2. Radio 1 Evening Session Stage: Alec Empire
This year leaving the remains of Atari Teenage Riot and making another move into the solo scene, Alec Empire has performed a few live dates in various world festivals (notably Tokyo and er.. Bristol) around the release of his (2nd) debut album Intelligence And Sacrifice. While ATR last played Reading in '99 on the Main Stage, this time around Alec's half way up the bill in a (kind of) small tent. Expect it to be packed, expect there to be smoke and noise, lots of noise. also expect Nic Endo to be stood behind a tower of machinery directing the whole thing with painted, robotic precision.
3. New Bands Tent: Bobby Conn
This man scares me. The Bravest Little Man in Chicago has been around for years, perhaps even decades, it's hard to tell just by looking, or even listening to him. With an array of anthems and rallying crys, expect to be pulled into his world for at least the length of his performance, and with rumours of him being the anti-christ, prehaps even for ever...
Also not to be missed: Raging Speedhorn, JSBX, the Von Bondies and The (International) Noise Conspiracy for quality, The Moldy Peaches, Biffy Clyro, The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster for intrest, and Amen, The Streets and Andrew WK for a laugh...
Name: Colin (Head of E-Content)
1. Boutique Stage: Peaches
Kitty-Yo labelmate of Gonzales and recently noticed by Sony, this girl gives sleaze a whole new definition. Powered by lust for the colour pink and sex her songs convey the same in the most direct manner. Tracks such as 'Fuck The Pain Away', 'Diddle My Skittle' and her last single 'Set It Off really set her as one to see.
2. Radio 1 Evening Session Stage: Soulwax
OK, so no-one is 100% certain what is gonna happen here but wether live as a band or DJ-ing, these Belgians are something special. From classics such as 'Much Against Everyones Advice' to their superb mixing of 'Peter Gunn' & 'Where's Your Head At?' you just know this is gonna be worth checking out!
3. Radio 1 Evening Session Stage: Reel Big Fish
I make no secret of my love for them as my previous review will testify. This is my singandbounceandbehappy-a-long band and with such ska punk classics as 'I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend' and their cover of A-Ha's 'Take On Me' hopefully they will finally get through to the NOFX hooded hordes out there!
Also not to be missed: Aphex Twin, The Streets, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Feeder, Guns & Roses, Cooper Temple Clause, Jimmy Eat World, Princess Superstar, Ben Kweller, Serafin & Jesse James.
Name:Gareth (Does stuff)
1. Radio 1 Evening Session Stage: The
Vines
Oz's finest Nirvana/Pavement/Beatles mash-up combo, played a high-profile
spot on the other stage at this year's Glastonbury, but this is really more
their kind of setting. Expect to see reasons as to why frontman Craig Nicholls
is being lauded as the new tortured soul of rock n' roll, but don't expect to
see the man preach the values of veganism... Highlight of the set could be their
wrought version of Outkast's 'Ms Jackson', which really is rather
good. But then again, so is 'Country Yard'. Playing surprisingly low
down the bill, they'll probably be hosting one hell of a sauna room.
2. The Carling Stage: Princess
Superstar
The Bad Babysitter has comes to look after the Reading
kids, and the filthiest MC this side of, well, ever is going to make
sure that they go home with an education. Expect rhymes about oral sex, aural
sex, cussin' cursin' and masturbation in the showers. And its not just the wordplay
on foreplay either; this self-styled super-biatch is as cool as an atlantic
night. And her latest album is as funny as fuck. Just go see her.
3. The Main Stage: Weezer
They just about the uncoolest band in the world. Less cool than Silver Sun. So
how come they're bigger than Jesus? But still less cool? Don't know. But what
I do know is that they will attempt to Cram around 47,686,456 songs into a 50
minute set, successfully too, I'd imagine. There will be the 'hits': Hash
Pipe, Buddy Holly, and there will be the anthems: Surfwax USA, The Good
Life and the sing-to-your-girlfriend ones: 'Only in Dreams', 'Island
in the Sun' and there will be the whole of Pinkerton played in order.
Or maybe not. Regardless, they will be, quite simply, tremendous.
