MICKEY'S READING DIARY

(No jokes questioning why I'd need to keep a diary of the books I've read allowed. Okay!?!)

Thursday

Another Bank Holiday weekend approaching and the whole nation is as usual praying for fine weather. History has shown that these prayers are rarely answered. Childhood memories of the 'Sand Castle' indoor water park at Blackpool, 'Seaworld' and other similar indoor Bank Holiday weekend trips, but that was then and this is now..... as four men head East for the great outdoors and the Reading Music Festival in err.....Reading, with not a single cloud in the sky, for now!

And so began a quest for musical fulfilment, vast quantities of beer, cheap women - or is that cheap beer and vast quantities of women? - and the infamous 4am chorus of 'BOLLOCKS'. Who were these men who dared to travel along the M4 motorway in search of the promised land. History would record that their name were Jase, Owen, Hue and Mike, and so would their birth certificates.

With the weather being so damn fine, as I said previously there wasn't a cloud in the sky, a very early departure on Thursday morning was planned so we could make the most of the weather while it lasted and also find a nice pitch for the tents. This wasn't that straight forward as Jase, Owen & Hue were travelling from Newport, Wales and I reside in Ba(r)th. I estimated that it takes half an hour to get to the nearest M4 junction from my house, about the same time as it does from the River Seven crossing. A simple phone call as they crossed the bridge should result in my car being passed by theirs as I travelled down the slip road onto the motorway. Or at least that's how the theory went. In practice I ended up 10 miles ahead of them. Thankfully, this had been planned for and all I had to do was drive slowly and wait for their red VW Golf to flash past. A few minutes later the red Golf passed and I followed.

It wasn't until about 5 miles later that I realised there were only two people in the car and no sign of any tents or any luggage in fact, and since when had one of them gone grey? I was following the wrong car! A quick change of plan and we arranged to meet at the next services, just a couple of miles ahead. After all, what else are services used for if not buying cheap watches and meetings people? Nobody buys petrol at that price unless there's a blockade on.

Anyway, we arrived at Reading and not a single queue to get into the compound. Being Polish I has quite disappointed. The music didn't start until Friday lunchtime but we thought that if we arrived early enough we could find a good pitch for the tents. Unfortunately, it was a gorgeous day and thirty thousand other people thought of the same thing. We eventually found a reasonable spot, far away from the toilets and the impending smell that would arrive within 24 hours.

24 hours was also the length of time it took to eat all the food that I'd brought to site. It was supposed to last till Monday morning! Thankfully you could buy whatever you wanted there. The tents were put up in double quick time and the first beers cracked open. Tickets were exchanged for wrist bands, which like the grease in our hair would quickly become a part of us. As a treat for the lads I'd brought a special bottle of vodka, a whole 95% alcohol. Nothing could prepare them for what they were about to face. In hindsight I think I should have saved it for another day. I'd also brought along some cans of 'Red Bull' as a mixer. It would just be stupid drinking it without after all. Anyway, recollection of the rest of the day is hazy as we descended into alcoholic stupor. One vivid memory does remain intact, that of Jase looking very green, wrapped in what I can only describe as his grandmothers road trip blanket, a nice tartan one. Thankfully we have photographic evidence to substantiate our claims.

Friday

Friday morning started off as another lovely day. First beers were cracked at 11:00 am in preparation for and to counter the high prices in the main arena. The philosophy being 'the more we drank now the less we'll need to drink later'. Much amusement was then had at the expense of all the people queuing for wrist bands. I was slightly envious as the queue extended for what seemed like miles. Time to enter the arena. The first band on the main stage was Ooberman who played an honest set, with the highlight being their final song, the sublime Shorley Wall. I can feel my spine tingling now. Next up was Canatella in the dance tent. Nothing special worthy of a mention. Back to the main stage next for Manchester's finest? The Doves. A poor set if you ask me with no real energy or emotion, quite disappointing really as the potential is definitely present in abundance. Next on the main stage was Britain's finest Asian band, ADF, a polished if highly political set that really didn't have the crowd in raptures.

Finally someone willing and able to get the crowd going. Step forward Limp Bizkit to the main stage. What a set. What more is there to say. From start to finish, every moment a pleasure from the cover of George Michael's 'Faith' to the majestic 'Take a look around'. Who could forget the memorable audience participation during 'My Generation'. I can still see that throng of middle fingers now. Just when you thought the set couldn't get any better. Boom. A thousand, million sparkly bits of paper fall like a blizzard. Tacky but somehow right. Alas, all good things come to an end. A quick run to the Radio One stage helped catch the end of Clinic. A solid set by all accounts. Definitely a band for the future. Interesting choice in stage outfits but the name says it all.

With the sun still shining, I had started to develop a nice tan. Either that or I got dirty very quickly. The Bluetones were next on the main stage. A band in decline and the set showed it. It felt like a testimonial appearance. Some good classic songs helped them to keep some respectability. Time to sample some of the food on offer, which I remember was surprisingly good. I must have drank a lot of beer by then.

Just managed to catch some of the Foo Fighters set which wasn't awe inspiring but again solid. I was now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the exalted Primal Scream. They opened the set with an imposing number from the XTRMNTR album. What followed can only be described as an inspiring set consisting of classic songs interspersed with songs from the new album, with Bobby Gillespie at his inspirational best. Highlights would be the songs 'Kowalski' and 'Pills'. Audience participation was a bit lacking but it was obvious that most of the crowd were unknowing Neanderthals. The bass dispersion system also played its part. This system prevents the bass from carrying on the air for miles to the local residents but if you asked me it just involved having little if no bass in the first place. A very simple but annoying system.

Headlining the day were Oasis, who I'm told were okay. I didn't really want to see them play for some reason so just went wandering around the other stages popping into the likes of Muse and Laurent Garnier. The weather went all weird while Oasis were on stage. Clouds had started moving over the festival site once it started to get dark. During their set there was a tremendous lightning storm. No rain, no thunder, just lightning. It looked like the lightning almost hit the stage at one point but I'm sure that was an illusion. Although I didn't see that much of the set, I was told that the lightning started while Liam and Noel were arguing. I know they have an electric relationship but....

Key moment of the day would go to the group of lads walking around the camp site raving to the original Grange Hill theme. Class. Lost your key moment would go to the group of lads listening to a soft rock compilation tape over and over again. One more rendition of 'More than a feeling' by Boston and it would be war!?!

Saturday

I awoke Saturday morning to the sound of water splashing against my tent. Rain thankfully and not someone desperate and fed up with waiting in the toilet queue. It was quite heavy so I returned to my car where I'd left my contingency plan in the event of rain. In the boot of my car was a waterproof jacket and a pair of rigger boots, which are most famously known as part of a Clint Eastwood fancy dress outfit but that's another story! It became muddy very quickly but the rain only lasted until lunchtime.

The start of the day had been planned to take in the Kustom Built set but with the rain and the late night there were surprisingly few volunteers. The main stage was again the first port of call. Our first band of the day was The Delgados. The set did not leave much of an impression. Next up were Gorky's Zygotic Mynci who without actually setting the crowd alight played a fine set. The material from the new album, which they have financed themselves, was sublime.

Now whoever organised the play list for the day made a mistake by having Idlewild on next. Talk about going from one extreme to another. Again another good set from arguably the finest current band from Scotland. Controversial but I believe correct. This was the third time I've seen them play and they keep getting better and better. Time to just catch the end of the Terris set on the Evening Session stage. Not worth the walk. Next up was Dark Star who put in a solid if not memorable performance. Okay, I'll admit it I can't actually remember if they were any good or not.

Queens of the Stone Age then exploded onto the Evening Session stage. Talked about as the new Nirvana and with lots of air-time on Radio 1 the tent was heaving. We took in a few songs, some of which were alright, and then headed back to the main stage to catch the end of the clashing Elastica set. This time well worth the walk. Next on stage was arguably the finest current band from Wales, the Super Furry Animals. There seems to be somewhat of a theme running through this day! A less controversial comment this time. Although the set was half Welsh, half English it was excellent. All of the well known singles were included in the set list, with "Something for the Weekend", "If you don't want me to destroy you" and "The man don't give a f*ck" the highlights. The most surreal moment of the day arrived at the end of the set when the band returned for a silent encore in fancy dress to great applause from the crowd.

The most anticipated performance was then next up on the Evening Session stage. This was the Badly Drawn Boy set. Played in his usual style, he had the attention of the audience from start to finish with future classics such as "It came from the ground", "Another Pearl" and "Once around the block". The majority of the set came from the Mercury Prize winning "The hour of Bewilderbeast" album although some songs came from his early EP's. Even when his time was up and his backing band long gone, he continued to play with his solitary guitar and harmonica as the stage was cleared for the next band.

A lot of bands would have been quite intimidated to follow the Badly Drawn Boy set but it didn't seen to phase The Wannadies who were outstanding. The chemistry on stage was amazing to watch especially for the dazzling "You and me" song. One of the best sets of the whole festival!. Headlining the day on the main stage was Pulp. Jarvis was at his geeky best, with the set consisting of a mixture of old classics and material from the forthcoming new album. If what we heard is a representative snippet of the new album it will be a corker, or is that a cocker? The crowd loved every minute of the set and with Pulp not having performed live for a good few years this was a welcome return.

Sunday

Sunday morning I again woke up quite early. A few bands were watched early on in the day but nothing worthy of a mention. I think I must have still been in an alcoholic haze as the memory of the morning is very vague. That was until Daphne & Celeste were about to come onto the main stage. You could cut the air of anticipation from the crowd with a blunt pen knife. It was obvious what was going to happen so it seemed like each and every one of the 50,000 people at the festival were stood around to watch. I think there were more watching this performance than Oasis on the opening night. Even before they came out bottles and cans began to rain onto the stage. It seemed like a waste to me but at least the eggs were left until they came out. They only lasted two songs and had to be very quick on their feet. The highlight was the audience participation on the first song "ooh f*ck you, your mamma too, who's your daddy?" It was all a little bit cruel really but very, very funny. Rumours also tell of the incident at the signing tent later in the day where 100 people stormed the session and threw bottles filled with suspiciously yellow liquid.

The Clint Boon Experience then set up camp on the Evening Session stage. The performance was a little bit tired and not as good as previous ones I'd seem. The crowd seemed to enjoy it though. Back to the main stage then to see what turned out to be one of the final Rage against the Machine performances before Zack De La Rocha left the band. Ultimately "Killing in the name of" received the best reaction. A highly polished set nevertheless.

The Utah Saints then took to the Radio 1 stage. There was a great deal of anticipation from the crowd and the set turned out to be absolutely awesome. Mixing classics from the halcyon days of rave with songs from the new album proved to be a masterstroke. I've never seen a lead singer of a band react in such a way as the crowd sang the start of "Something good" 'Utah saints, U-u-u-Utah saints..'. He was loving every minute of it. Another highlight gig. Next onto the premier stage to catch the end of Lauren Laverne, before spending some time wandering around the dance tent.

Back to the premier stage then to catch the latest import from Iceland, Bellatrix. Again an amazing set with the gorgeous lead singer, Eliza, playing the violin like Jimi Hendrix used to play the guitar. For a funky folk combo the set really rocked. A pleasure from start to finish and I'm sure Eliza was giving me the eye! Unfortunately the album doesn't have any of the live attitude and exuberance.

The final performance of the festival was left to Ian Brown on the Evening Session stage. I think everybody stood there to watch was waiting somewhat apprehensively. The god-like Ian Brown is not renowned for his live vocals. Thankfully everyone was pleasantly surprised as he only hit duff notes in one song. The rest of the set was a revelation. "My Star" was obviously a highlight as was the inspiring "Golden Gaze".

Sunday night turned out to be really mad as lots of young people who'd had a little bit too much to drink started going crazy. Most of the portaloos were knocked over and lights pulled down. Some stories tell of an unfortunate bloke who was using a portaloo when it was pushed over. If that wasn't bad enough, the door on the loo couldn't then be opened as another toilet was in the way. The mayhem didn't stop until about 4am. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as what happened in Leeds, where the camp site ended up looking like a scene from Apocalypse Now. Check out the Leeds review for further details.

An early exit was made on Monday morning to again beat the queues. This was followed by two showers when I got home and about 16 hours sleep.