Any major difference between the two?

[tomgo]

Hey,

I'm about to come from overseas to the festival so I thought Reading is better for me since it's a lot closer to London.

I was wandering- is there any major difference in the atmosphere, size or whatever between Leeds and Reading?

Thanks

[Benj]

Reading will be the far more convenient option for you assuming you are coming into LHR, Leeds will offer nothing extra that will out weigh the cost and inconvenience of making your way there

[PigOnAntibiotics]

Reading has The Strokes headlining, Leeds has Pulp headlining.

[Buko]

The only major difference between the 2 this year is The Strokes are headlining Reading & Pulp are headlining Leeds which is also their last U.K gig, there are also a few more rules at the Reading site but nothing too major to actually effect your weekend.

So unless your a big fan of Pulp I would suggest going to Reading.

[chappiepunk]

The only major difference between the 2 this year is The Strokes are headlining Reading & Pulp are headlining Leeds which is also their last U.K gig, there are also a few more rules at the Reading site but nothing too major to actually effect your weekend.

So unless your a big fan of Pulp I would suggest going to Reading.

[VCK]

Never been to Reading but apparently it's a lot less hillier than Leeds is...jammy Southerners!

I've heard mixed reports regarding the difference in atmopshere between the two depending on who I've spoken to. Obviously as Reading has been going for decades longer it has more history to it.

One thing I do know - it seems that since the rioting has calmed down at Leeds the trouble seems to have deferred down to Reading. Before when Leeds was really bad for Sunday night problems you'd never hear anything about that sort of thing at Reading, but now it seems Leeds has cleaned up a bit I keep getting reports of dickhead acting in an anti-social manner at Reading.

[pink_triangle]

I have been to both on more than one occasion. There is really very little difference. I find it funny when you see a band at one saying how much better the crowd is than the other and I think some of the audience are taken in. The main difference to me is the fact that reading is within walking distance of the town which is usefull particularly if you go on wednesday.

[jazz565]

i've talked to quite a few bands about this and most of them tend to say they prefer reading for the "atmosphere of the crowd", this is what go:audio and the maccabees, also bombay bicycle club, foals and pete doherty does (which probably means the libertines do too).

[rexclark]

I prefer Leeds being in the middle of nowhere, it adds to the festival. I hate being at a fest where you're in the middle of a city centre, it's escapism so I like to be away from everything.

Also on Leed's plus side, it has fantastic afterhours entertainment including The Piccadilly Party and The Relentless Stage in the campsite. the afterhours stuff goes on till 6am at leeds so you can kep on partying. When does it finish at Reading?

You also get acts on the Thursday night in Leeds, the last three years have had The Pigeon Detectives, Blood Red Shoes and Get Cape Wear cape Fly playing.

[Buko]

I think its already been agreed that Leeds will not be Pulps last UK gig.

[harderfaster]

Really?

I can't think if anywhere they could play after,

If it isn't then I'm truly gutted.

[harderfaster]

Reading has a f**koff huge Tesco 15 minutes walk away. I couldn't care less about tranquillity and anti-corporatism when I can get 24 cans of Foster's for a tenner.

[rexclark]

Reading has a f**koff huge Tesco 15 minutes walk away. I couldn't care less about tranquillity and anti-corporatism when I can get 24 cans of Foster's for a tenner.

[harderfaster]

I'd rather pay more and get decent beer.

[FiestaDave]

Reading: Close to town if you want to buy stuff from supermarkets or go for a beer on the Wednesday

Leeds: Has bands on Thursday night and has more things going on after the bands in the arena due to more relaxed licensing as it's in the middle of nowhere.

[thetime]

I would give my verdict on atmopsphere/behaviour.

reading vast majority are dicks

leeds has a lovely atmosphere

[Vacant0]

Reading has a f**koff huge Tesco 15 minutes walk away. I couldn't care less about tranquillity and anti-corporatism when I can get 24 cans of Foster's for a tenner.

[FiestaDave]

reading vast majority are dicks

[thetime]

It's the minority.

Edited March 27, 2011 by thetime

[FiestaDave]

would disagree, started going to reading in mid 90s, changed to leeds around 2004 time and would never go back to reading.

and thats the only festival ive been to when ive felt like that.

[saints15]

Can you still do that?

Last time I camped in 2008, seems Tescos had finally caught on as the bastards put all the prices up! Still cheaper than festival prices but not by much.

[thetime]

If it was the majority the 'rioting' would be a lot worse and the festival wouldn't get a license.

[chappiepunk]

It's the minority.

[FiestaDave]

did I say it was only the people who were only rioting being dicks?

I find in my opinion its the attitiude of the usual reading festival goer, that act like dicks.

yes majority is a bit over the top, but its more than the minority I can assure you.

like Ive said you can only give your personal opinion, I take it you havnt been to other festivals to compare?

[thetime]

Definately is the minority. You are going to get idiots wherever you go with a huge amount of people there. Yeah sure theres a few problems cos everyone is pretty much drunk 90% of the time, but on the whole everyone is friendly.