FESTIVAL DIARIES

Reading

By Linda Serck

Presenter of BBC Radio Berkshire's The Session Introducing, Linda is back at Reading for her 7th festival to check out new bands

Calm before the storm

It's a relatively peaceful morning at camp Reading. Backstage in the guest area things are gradually waking up - soft Spanish guitars delicately emit from the speakers by the bar, a few bods are munching on a healthy breakfast, and there is for once a soft cool breeze floating by. It of course won't last.

Crazy campers

The main stage has been thudding for the last two-and-a-half hours, the sun is on full beam and I'm in the main arena wandering around for festival-goers to film.

The idea is for music fans to give a quick gig review of their favourite bands. And I should by now have my 'drunk person alert' radar on - but occasionally one slips through the net - notably one with a huge sunflower on his head whose gig review consisted of the claim that he and Flea were once in a beautiful relationship together. Lovely.

Cold War Kids

I'm purposefully striding towards the Radio One/NME tent to catch a glimpse of Cold War Kids. I had the pleasure of interviewing the band earlier on and they were a lovely bunch of lads, so the least I could do was nip away from the BBC compound and catch a few of their songs. Needless to say they were brilliant.

Day trippers

Back from the BBC Radio Berkshire studios and the atmosphere is gently quietening down - only because the weekend festival goers are, like me, a little jaded after three days of solid drinking, catching a few bands inbetween.

It's funny seeing the difference in weekend ticket holders and day ticket holders. The former are clearly marked out by the distinct red necks, backs, chests and faces with aloft the odd crop of greasy smokey hair.

The day trippers are in contrast still retain a normal shade of skin colour and are immaculately made up with clean bonces.

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