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Five Memorable moments from Reading Festival
Indie | Monday 12th August 2013 | Ben
As this year's festival approaches we take a look at a few of the most memorable moments from past shows.
1992 Nirvana
In what would be Nirvana’s last performance in the UK, and most memorable performances of their career, Kurt Cobain was brought on stage in a wheelchair wearing a long blonde wig. The singer had been criticised by journalists for his drug addiction, and so carried out the stunt as a direct response.
1998 The Prodigy and Beastie Boys
Headliners Beastie Boys were scheduled to play after The Prodigy, but the American Rappers felt that the lyrics to ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ were offensive and asked the UK dance group not to play it. The Prodigy vocalist Liam Howlett claimed they had misinterpreted the only lyric of the song and MC Maxim announced on stage ‘I do what the fuck I want’, the band proceeded to play the song regardless. Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz announced during their later set ‘Where I come from, it isn’t cool.’
1999 Kevin Rowland
Kevin Rowland, of Dexy’s Midnight Runners fame, performed a show no one in the audience would forget quickly. He appeared onstage wearing a white mini skirt and stockings and proceeded to sing a rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘The Greatest Love of All’ and was bottled and booed off stage. In 2003 looking back on the performance, he stated ‘I was nuts’ in an interview with the Gaurdian.
2008 Rage Against The Machine
Never ones to shy away from controversy, Rage Against The Machine celebrated their first performance at Reading since their break up by appearing on stage dressed as prisoners from Guantanamo Bay complete with bags over their heads. The band proceeded to play a rousing showcasing the band at their politically provocative best.
2010 Guns and Roses
Axl Rose had the cheek of touring with a band called ‘The Guns and Roses’ despite not featuring any founding members other than himself. He was also an hour late for the headline performance. When they did arrive they played their set, including Sweet Child of Mine which was pretty good, but were cut off by the technicians midway which they had been warned would happen beforehand. Rose re appeared onstage with a megaphone, attempted to protest the Festival organisers and incited some to yell 'Fuck You Reading'.
By Ben Lawrence
