It’s here! It’s Reading & Leeds! The annual bank holiday blow out kicks off today, with a whole bunch of brilliant bands swapping their way across the two legged festival. We’re on the ground in Reading, bringing you the latest news, photos, reports and ‘stuff’. Before heading down to (hopefully) sunny Berkshire, we dropped a line to some of our faves to find out what to expect, including Jamie Campbell Bower of Counterfeit.
So, do you have anything special planned for Reading & Leeds?
Like always we’re gonna go in there and tear it up but we do have a few special things planned in terms of show elements that we’re adding because it’s Reading and Leeds! But i’ll be damned if i’m gonna be the “spoiler” guy (winky face).
Do you have any onstage tricks that always go down well with a festival crowd?
We try not to plan too much in advance. As a band we find that reacting to the crowd is always our jam. We like to be in it together and break down the audience / band barrier but like i say we don’t really plan we just like chaos.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to seeing play, or catching up with?
Marmozets. Those guys are awesome and i’m excited to see what they’ve been working on as they haven’t played in a while. Architects for sure, we got to see them this last weekend at Electric Castle, incredible live band. I’m keen to see Everything Everything as i love them. Billy Talent, we supported them last year at Budapest Park and aside from being an amazing band they’re also super nice guys so you’ll find me bugging them probably. But the whole line up is great there’s a real good mix of acts in there.
Which is your favourite of the headliners: Muse, Kasabian or Eminem?
Hard to choose between Eminem and Muse. I’ve seen Muse a few times but never Eminem so i guess i’ll have to say Eminem.
If you’ve been before, what’s the best band you’ve seen there previously?
I must confess that i have never been as i’ve always been working, sad times. So i’m gonna pass this one over to our esteemed drummer and hitter of all things round Mr James Craig.
Jimmy: It’s a toss up between Sum 41, System Of A Down, Greenday, The Hives or The Offspring all 2002/2003 basically i just lost my shit in the pit to all of them.
What was the last festival you went to as a music fan, not because you were playing?
BST for Kings Of Leon or Kendal Calling.
What’s the biggest festival disaster you’ve experienced?
Flies down for a whole set. Only realising after. I’m sorry. Not quite a full on Lenny Kravitz but close enough.
What’s the best thing about Reading & Leeds?
The festival itself is steeped in history but this year the line up is so mixed that there is so much to absorb so the atmosphere will be electric.
