Got that festival feeling?

Sarah Stead • Published 10 Mar 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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Pic: PA

THE earliest of the Reading Festival earlybirds have had their tickets in the post and, with the likely date for 2010 ticket sales drawing ever closer, rumours are flying.

Will campfires be allowed? Will ticket prices rocket? Will there still be a dance tent? Will there be more camping space? But the big question is: will the line-up top Rage Against The Machine or Radiohead?

Festival organisers have not formally confirmed the release date, but fan forums are buzzing with speculation that tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 29.

Tom Freeman, from promoters Hall Or Nothing, said: "We haven't got a confirmed date for this yet but it looks like it will be towards the end of March."

An initial line-up should also be announced on the same day. For now, however, we bring you our festival wishlist, our takes on some of the best line-up rumours that have been flying around and if they're WELLY likely...

RUMOUR: BLINK 182

My 16-year-old-self loved Blink 182 at Leeds Festival 2003. And I'm fairly sure my inner 16-year-old, in her boy-jeans and Vans, would love to see them again this year. They broke up a few years back but - like Elvis - we all knew Blink weren't really dead. They're back and have confirmed several European festivals this summer including Area 4 on August 21 and Highfield on August 22, both in Germany, and have also dropped hints about Reading. Frankly, it would be rude if they didn't play.

REALITY: Five wellies. Dig out your sweat bands

RUMOUR: MUSE

Earlier this year Russell from Bloc Party told The Chronicle: "There's a lot of bands on hiatus this year, so it could be slim pickings. I'll hazard a guess at Muse to headline." Russell and I were on the same page with this one - Muse haven't appeared since their all-guns-blazing headline set in 2006. Alas it is unlikely they will feature this year. Festival Republic tends to stay away from bands touring around the time of the festival and Muse are playing two dates at Wembley in the first half of September. But you never know.

REALITY: One welly. Less likely than cold beer

RUMOUR: HOLE

Courtney Love's made a few public appearances looking relatively put-together of late, adding fuel to the already raging rumour fires that Hole would headline the NME tent this year. And a little bird told me she's been investigating solo sets in Reading around the time of the festival - a warm up slot perhaps?

REALITY: Five wellies. You can bet your tent pegs on it

RUMOUR: WEEZER

Weezer are a regular fixture in the rumours forums every single year, yet haven't played since 2002 when they were halfway up the mainstage and The Strokes headlined. Their only appearance before that was in 1996, again in the middle of a formidable main stage line-up culminating with The Offspring, The Prodigy and Rage Against The Machine. Back in 2008 bassist Scott Shriner told BBC Newsbeat: "I sure hope we can play Reading and Leeds." It didn't happen. This year, though, a focus group was told there was a stronger possibility than ever of them actually making the cut - time to dig out the geek glasses and/or sweater.

REALITY: Four wellies. Start dressing like Buddy Holly

RUMOUR: GREEN DAY

And out comes my inner 16-year-old again. But Blink 182, Weezer AND Green Day at the same festival would be too much pop-punk, and runs the risk of alienating a lot of people. They've got a string of UK and European stadium dates planned for the summer - including Wembley - which probably stoked the rumours but could also put Festival Republic off them as a headline act.

REALITY: Two wellies. Leave your hoody at home

RUMOUR: PENDULUM

The aussie dance/D&B legends apparently self-confirmed this rumour after a gig in the festival's sister-city Leeds in February. Hopefully they weren't kidding, and hopefully they'll be in the NME tent again.

REALITY: Five wellies. Day-glo paint at the ready!

**Fantasy Festival League**

TOP of my wish list is Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke's new band Atoms For Peace.

Joining Thom are Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck/R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker, percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Mauro Refosco, and Flea...there can be no doubt that this band will be outstanding.

They've already announced an American tour for this spring, so fingers crossed. I tested the water in the Reading music scene...

Simon Corcoran, frontman with garage boys The Circus Sands, unsurprisingly said he'd like to see his own band play. Then he said: "I would love to see A Place To Bury Strangers.

"I saw them last year and they blew the roof off the tent - and the roof off my mind!"

Marcus Fairley of MidiMidis said: "I think Julian Casablancas will play because The Strokes are playing two UK festivals but not Reading...I reckon Guns & Roses is a strong possibility, but it's gonna be hard to top the last few years.

"But I'll only go if we play!"

Tom Drakeley Burr of The Prospect said: "I'd like to see Soundgarden. I think they can really bring Reading back to where it should be and we need another good Sunday night headliner."

Ben Smith of The Quotes said: "I'd like to see Mumford and Sons, because their first album is amazing. It would be awesome to see that live, they're so passionate.

"That's what Reading needs - a little less commercialisation and a little more love!"

Who would you like to see at Reading Festival 2010? Email sstead@berksmedia.co.uk or give us a tweet @rdgrockssteady

See www.readingfestival.com

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 04 Mar 10

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