Reading Festival 2024, Day One review - an eclectic line up and a perfect headline set

Reading Festival’s 2024 line up was the embodiment of playlist culture. Once a key contender in the UK’s Rock and Alternative market, then a rite of passage for students partying their way into their first year of university, it’s fair to say that the festival has experienced some uncertainty in its identity in recent years.

Over the course of the opening day, it was clear to me that the feeling of transition had mellowed and that no group in the diverse audience felt ownership over the festival in a way that they once might have done. As it should be, it was all about the music, and the variety of genres across the numerous stages made way for what felt like a live Discover Weekly.

After a smooth drive to the carpark where we were greeted with clear directions to our entrance, we followed a sunny path into the festival and settled into the sea of blink-182 shirts knowing that we had a great day ahead. We enjoyed the energy for a while before heading over to the Main Stage for Irish rap trio Kneecap. The highly engaging performance brought the afternoon crowd to life and paved the way for further references to political unrest and its juxtaposition with live music, noted by multiple acts throughout the day.

We then wandered the site for a while, refamiliarising ourselves with it after a few years away, catching moments of Punk rage from Lambrini Girls and discovering the multi instrumental talent of G Flip as we went. The anticipation for the iconic headliners, who last appeared at the festival a decade ago, started to grow as we waited for second wave Pop Punk act Neck Deep to take the Main Stage. The band paid respect to genre pioneers blink-182 with a Family Reunion shirt and a shoutout, and played their own iconic tracks to an audience of all ages. The stage then turned back into a compilation of varied popular artists, Courtney LaPlante of Metal band Spiritbox impressed with her vocals and Two Door Cinema Club brought pure joy to the singing crowd.

After a quick spin on the waltzers, a pizza, and a couple of drinks, we made our way into the front standing area to ensure a good position for blink. I reminisced on my first ever time seeing them live at the very same festival in 2010 and looked forward to the celebration of their career, of which that was a part, in mere hours. Indie Folk singer-songwriter Gerry Cinnamon played a flawless set while we waited, the cheering and dancing from his ecstatic fans being a highlight of the day. The crowd shuffled once more, and the wait was over.

Since their 2022 reunion, every move that blink have made has felt like a true honouring of their career and its cosmic influence. Their Reading appearance epitomised the love that the three members clearly have for their magical band, in its every iteration. The standout performance included the energetic delivery of both new and timeless tracks, the authentic (and hilarious) teenage humour that helped them build their name, moments of true emotion, laughter, chemistry, skill, fun, and love. The addition of +44 and Box Car Racer songs to the set further cemented the celebratory nature of the show and sent a wave of nostalgia over the admiring crowd, which was then turned back to excitement and joy with a few of their biggest hits back to back. The show closed with an emotional performance of One More Time, while a montage of band memories played on the screens, a moment that felt truly special to witness. blink-182 were a perfect headliner.

Day one of Reading 2024 was diverse, edgy and joyous. It honoured the roots of the festival whilst catering to a modern audience, celebrated one of the greatest bands in history with an unforgettable headline set, and provided a day of connection and happiness in a world that felt like it needed it.

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