"In some ways its a shame that we now have to offer a more limited range of music at festivals , the majority of them seem to have to be genre specific. The concept of having a mix of music on the bill is only really used at the Womad festivals (world music). Attempts to present lineups that are diverse in their makeup meet with either apathy, or result in the bottling of those artists who fail to meet the expectations of those audience members who only want to hear the music THEY like and who don't want to expand their musical horizons. As the 70s progressed this became increasingly the case.The 80s only consolidated the situation.
Although the PA's and facilities are generally much better then these early festivals, we have regressed to some extent in the open mindedness of crowds towards accepting a wide range of music - although I can think of times in the early festivals where crowds were ugly towards certain types of acts - so perhaps its just promoters playing safe and giving the punters more of what they know they want."
Instead, as back in the ancient rock past of 50 years ago, the one stage that was erected triumphantly from dodgey looking scaffolding where the gathered 'heads' of the day milled about in a cloud of dope and swamp of mud not far from the banks of the River Thames, the slick 2013 festival is located elsewhere and has at least 6 stages and so many bands you'll have forgotten who you went to see in the first place. Although what you don't stumble on or wished you hadn't many will be gratified to find the band on YouTube before they've got to the next stage.
Then, thanks to the BBC who've embedded themselves on site for the weekend, with the flick of a smartphone finger they can see themselves or their mates giving it large in front of the cameras. And if you miss that one don't freak the Beeb even have several stages named after them in their honour. BBC Radio 1 stage, etc etc.
so if you don't see yourself in one video you will in one of the other 6 or more stage venues.
With a whiff of end of term madness eminating from the Corporation as the August Bank Holiday looms, a notoriously traditional time for the UK to pack up and get soaked in more ways than one, you feel with that many cameras about half the BBC staff under the age of 40 will have joined the throngs for a freebee. They'll all no doubt be working hard at it for your playback pleasure with Green Day headlining tonight, Eminem on Saturday, Biffy Clyro and Nine Inch Nails on Sunday.
Here's a BBC clip of Bring Me The Horizon performing their song "Sleepwalking" recorded a little earlier this afternoon. Lots more YouTube BBC clips of bands at Reading and the concurrent Leeds festival are here
