Words: Neil Cole
Additional reporting by Richard Cobb
Continuing our preview of the smaller stages and some of the fantastic bands you can see on them across the three days of Reading & Leeds.
SATURDAY (Reading) / SUNDAY (Leeds)
This is a day that will be spent entirely rushing between the smaller stages, because there are some fantastic bands on - all a safe distance from a very dubious main stage bill. Early picks include Reading band PALM HONEY (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 12:00) and PARIS YOUTH FOUNDATION (Festival Republic Stage, 12:45). The latter are a Liverpudlian five-piece who have a smooth guitar sound that sounds like it has been honed for years as opposed to the few months they have been touring.
There is then an afternoon triple header on the same stage featuring SUPERFOOD (Festival Republic Stage, 14:25) – check out glorious recent single 'I Can't See' – ALL TVVINS (Festival Republic Stage, 15:15) and PUMAROSA (Festival Republic Stage, 16:05). Other afternoon bands worth checking out if you can are the powerful, almost soulful BANG BANG ROMEO (Jack Rocks / This Feeling Stage, 14:25) and the raucous garage rock of AVALANCHE PARTY (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 15:10).
However, it is worth making the short walk between stages to catch INHEAVEN (NME / Radio 1 Stage, 13:35) who have been promoted from the Festival Republic Tent after a year of incessant touring. With Nirvana like guitar riffs and some glorious vocals they are on the point of breaking into the mainstream (well, as far as guitar bands can get into the mainstream these days, anyway). Then our pick of the day is unashamedly biased to another Reading band, SUNDARA KARMA (NME/Radio 1 Stage, 17:45). After opening the festival on the main stage last year, they now have a debut album out and should have no problem packing out the bigger tent with their unique but easily accessible sound.
After an early evening lull that has "extended beer break" written all over it, it's back to the small tent for another triple header. THE VIEW (Festival Republic Stage, 21:05) need no introduction, and if their 2016 Glastonbury set is anything to go by this will be packed full of the old favourites from debut album 'Hats Off To The Buskers'. They are followed by JAPANDROIDS (Festival Republic Stage, 21:55) who have slightly tempered their garage-rock sound with the delightful recent album 'Near To The Wild Heart Of Life'. And for those keen to avoid all things Eminem, stay put in the tent and catch headliners THE BLACK LIPS (Festival Repiblic Stage, 22:50), about as eclectic a band as you can get, who are sure to play a set spanning their nine-album, 15-year career. Alternatively catch BABY STRANGE (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 23:05) whose 2016 album 'Want It Need It' was one of the year's highlights.
Richard Cobb: If you can manage, leg it over to catch STRANGE BONES (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 18:05) who have recently collaborated with Stormzy and Skepta on their track ‘Energy.’ If on the other hand you’re bored of having the same jeans on for four days now, you can go and check out rising through the ranks London rockers SISTERAY (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 21:00*).
SUNDAY (Reading) / FRIDAY (Leeds)
An early start can be difficult on the final day of a festival, but it's worth getting in early to see THE PALE WHITE (BBC Music Introducing Stage, 11:50). They may have been around for less than a year, but the potential is there to see in singles 'Reaction' and 'That Dress' that ooze confidence and ability.
Three more reasons to avoid a Sunday lie-in come in the form of OUTLYA (Festival Republic Stage, 12:15), HIMALAYAS (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 12:45) and SAINT PHNX (Festival Republic Stage, 13:05). Even if you've never heard any of their music, all three bands put on a fantastic show and have songs that will stick around in your head for days to come.
A dreaded clash follows, so I'll feature both and leave you to make your mind up. SLOTFACE (The Lock Up Stage, 14:45) are a punky breath of fresh air who are getting rave reviews for their confident live show. Alternatively OTHERKIN (Festival Republic Stage, 14:45) are a blast of three-minute grunge tunes that sound straight out of the early 90s Seattle sound. Whichever you choose, your next step should be to the NME stage to see how far a band can get from over two years of constant touring, demonstrated by THE SHERLOCKS (NME/ Radio 1 Stage, 16:35). These boys haven't had a day off since early 2015 and deserve a big crowd at their biggest festival slot to date.
The real must see of the BBC's picks this year and our pick of the day is MOSA WILD (BBC Music Introducing Stage, 17:45). Still with only one released song to their name, they are raw and inexperienced, but the magnificent 'Smoke' (seriously – listen to it now) screams big things to come. Brooding vocals reminiscent of The National, and a song that builds elegantly show that this band could be the real deal.
The main stage tonight is pretty guitar heavy to be fair (Blossoms/Liam Gallagher/ Muse) so nothing to complain about there… but given this is a preview of the smaller stages I should highlight ASH (Festival Republic Stage, 20:40) who always play a set full of hits, and HAIM (NME/Radio 1 Stage, 22:40) who will provide a feelgood end to what should be a fantastic three days of music.
Richard Cobb: There’s also an early reward for you in the form of Sheffield castaways LIBERTY SHIP (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 12:00*). Whatever you do, your next step should be to see East Anglia dynamos SURGE (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 15:10*) followed closely by the high flyers known as THE SPITFIRES (Jack Rocks/ This Feeling Stage, 16:30*). But given this is a preview of the smaller stages, I should highlight Brighton duo SONS (Jack Rocks/This Feeling Stage, 19:40*) who'll be showing some brotherly love and no doubt kicking up a storm with the likes of new single 'Zealot'.
*Reading only.
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