A major festival since its inception, Reading is a favorite among music fans. Bands that have appeared at Reading over the last 36 years are a virtual who's who of festival rock, including
such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, The Buzzcocks, The Chemical Brothers, Eminem, The Faces, Foo Fighters, Hawkwind, Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, The Libertines, Lou Reed, Manfred Mann, Manic
Street Preachers, Marilyn Manson, Motorhead, Neil Young, Nick Cave, Oasis, P.J. Harvey, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel, and Prodigy. Many of the acts who have appeared over the years have
chosen to contribute their memories of the festival to this compendium, giving it a unique inside perspective. But Ian Carroll's account of the festival is much more than a roll-call of
bands and artists. It is also the story of the festival itself, its complex relationship with the media and with local government, business, and the police. Above all, this is the
story of the fans and their annual pilgrimage to the festival site by the Thames. Rain or shine, heatwave or mudslide, they make the Reading Festival what it is, and ensure that its special
atmosphere will continue for many years to come.
