Reading bands for Reading Festival

READING Festival is undoubtedly one of the best things about the town. A vast number of people descend on Reading each August, bringing the world’s media – and spending money – with them.

The festival is one of the country’s biggest, and one of the planet’s biggest, and the town’s capability in hosting it is undoubtedly proof that Reading fully deserves city status. Huge bands play the festival – but what are our local bands getting out of the massive musical opportunity on the doorstep?

Well, historically, not so much. Last year Sixty Watt Bayonets were the only Reading band to play the festival (they were, deservedly, chosen purely on merit - it had nothing to do with being from Reading).

The band selection process is long and complex, but it seems fair that some weighting should be given to acts from Berkshire. It's time for the festival to give back to the local music scene.

We are calling on Festival Republic to make provision for at least five bands specifically from Reading and the surrounding area (ie Berkshire) to play at Reading Festival 2010.