Temporary Family
So I’m going to Reading Festival and I am unbelievably excited. This time next week I will be making the 5 hour journey from Liverpool to Reading whilst listening to sometimes questionable music and making the obligatory coffee stops that make road trips, road trips. In a weird way I’m almost looking forward to the excitement-fuelled journey more so than the festival itself.
One of my favourite things about the drive to festivals is meeting up with other festival goers on the way; creating bonds with people you are never going to see again, they become like those single use shampoos you get in hotel bathrooms. 'Single use' friends would be a fairly accurate description of them, I guess. For the length of the festival these people become almost like family, you spend every moment of the day with them; you eat and drink with them, you even share life stories with them, and then as abruptly as they come into your life, they leave. It’s a cycle that happens every year and I feel it’s one of the factors that give festivals the laid back, friendly vibe they are renowned for.
The most important aspect of a festival is obviously the music. This year round we shall be treated to the musical sounds of Guns n Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink 182, among others. Overall I’m happy with the line-up but it could be better, since the legendry Slash parted ways with the, kind of annoying, Axel Rose, Guns n Roses just aren’t the same.
A recent twitter update from Axel Rose announcing that all tour dates would be cancelled temporarily got my hopes up in thinking they would be replaced. However, this turned out to be his account being hacked and they have since confirmed they will definitely be headlining the festival. Arcade Fire are one of my all time favourite bands, they are just the epitome of a festival band and I am looking forward to seeing them once more. This brings me to Blink 182 – now I know the majority out there probably won’t be too crazy about the pop-punk band from across the pond, but for me they will always have a place in my heart. My first ever gig all those years ago was a Blink 182 gig and it still stands as one of the best I have ever been to. The headlining acts are supported by a stellar line-up including the likes of Mumford and Sons, Weezer and the Libertines and it’s shaping up to be a great festival!
As you can probably tell I am massively looking forward to it and you can surely expect the post-festival blues on my return!
20/08
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