reading - saturday

The best day. By far. Like Juno, it both started and ended with a chair (start: me falling over a chair, end: passing out on a chair)

Not that we actually saw anyone until around two when we bought our watermelons and then went to see The Subways - and learnt never to take a fruit such as the watermelon to go see The Subways. It will be messy, and you'll look like you've stabbed someone. It was an alright set, but as much as a showman as Billy Lunn tries to be I ended up really quite bored in the middle of it. Their Young for Eternity stuff is by far their strongest, and Rock'n'Roll Queen is a godsend to end with.

And from the Main Stage is a dash over to the NME tent to see Mystery Jets, who are always impressive to watch. Unfortunately we had some twat behind us who decided to bellow over Hideaway, which was really rather unimpressive. Impressive - the fact Blaine and co. still end their sets with Zoo Time after Behind the Bunhouse - probably my two favourite Jets songs.

But if Mystery Jets are experts in psychadelic prog madness, Los Campesinos! are experts in crowd interaction ("it's nice to be in a tent full of people who don't like The Ting Tings" proceeded by a chant of "FUCK YOU TING TINGS!" was by far the highlight of my festival), beautiful (and doomed) lyrics and just generally creating an amazing atmosphere. Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats commences the enchanting affair (the fact that this song isn't even in their more recent sets is slowly, but surely, breaking my Scottish little heart) which rattles through their debut album to reach the thrilling climax of Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks, of which I remain in awe. Quite literally tearing up the Festival Republic stage, it's the best I've seen them.

After an argument with one of the Year 12 twats camping next to us over how Los Campesinos! are far better than The Enemy (seriously.), a few hours and Strongbows later it's time for Foals to take their place on the NME stage. After shoving a few people to get to the front (I simply followed Sorcha and her arms of steel), we managed to get an amazing spot as  The French Open began. After the girls left one by one to pee, it was me and some random girl who was camped next to us by the time Yannis jumped off the stage in the middle of Two Steps. Twice to play to his public. I touched his shoulder. It was awesome. As was the set, although after they finished the set with Olympic Airways I pretty much charged out of the tent due to the near-combustion of my bladder.

Nice.

Nicer? Justice. Amazing is the understatement of the century, despite having lost everyone in the process but finding myself back in a pretty awesome spot nearish to the front (although having my sunglasses taken by a girl who jumped on my shoulders for about 10 seconds wasn't a fun experience). There are no words to describe how amazing Justice were (which is probably why I'll have trouble making it as a journalist) so I'll just leave it by saying that was probably the greatest musical experience I've witnessed. Sorry Los Camp!

Drinking until The Killers you can imagine just how much I can't particularly remember of this set other than Mr Brightside and All These Things I've Done. Also, I can't be arsed writing anything else. What I remember was good. Uhm yeah, kthxbye