In recent years, Reading festival has struggled to balance its history as a destination for rock fans with the wants of its target market. This weekend, it’s clear that the tides have definitively turned towards pop. The primarily teenage crowd – clad in novelty bucket hats, bikini tops and, bafflingly, “bollocks to Brexit” stickers – is 15 people deep outside the tent during garage-sampling TikTok sensation PinkPantheress’s half hour set, while R&B pop star Madison Beer’s impressive vocals are completely drowned out by the audience singing her mid-tempo hit Selfish back to her. One of the biggest receptions of the weekend, it even seems to surprise Beer herself.
Tellingly, a poised Little Simz grins as she recounts being told that she “would never play the main stage at Reading” as she does just that, to mosh pits for Rollin Stone and fearsome set closer Venom. And rap provides many of the festival’s strongest moments: Megan Thee Stallion incites all the “real hot girls” to hip-swinging, ass-shaking action, although cramming in two tedious audience participation sections is boring for everyone but the Hotties who make it on stage with her to take selfies. Dave’s sophisticated Friday night headline set is punctuated by a dazzling firework display and guest spots by AJ Tracey and Stormzy. Dave soars on crowd favourites such as Funky Friday and Location, but it’s the quiet stillness of Heart Attack, with Dave stood stationary in front of a mic stand, that packs the most powerful punch.
