MUSIC | My favourite discoveries from Reading

Although I generally avoided the dance tents, I enjoyed that there were so many acts performing at the festival overall and that there were so many chances to discover new artists.

I wish I’d had more time to dedicate to exploring the different stages and hearing new music, but with so many bands I had to see, I didn’t have so much time spare.

However, I did stumble across some new artists (for me, anyway) so here’s some bands I am now loving since the festival a few weeks ago.

Please note, some of these bands are actually very popular and if you’re into that type of music, you’ve likely heard of them before. Some of them I had heard of before but had never listened to. So if you see a big band on this list, I’m not saying they’re a new or unsigned band, just that they’re a new discovery for me.

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS 
When looking to find out a bit more information about these guys for this post, I discovered they actually hail from Watford which is just down the road from me! Small world! They formed in 2007 and although I’d heard their name floating about a few times, I’d never checked out their music until Reading. Their pop-punk songs remind me a lot of Kids in Glass Houses, although I’d say Lower Than Atlantis are just a smidge heavier than most pop punk bands these days. They’ve recently released a UK tour for March 2017.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA
The lead singer of this band has the best hair ever. For some reason, I expected this band to be really heavy and not at all to my taste, but I actually quite liked them (teaches me not to judge by a band’s name, eh!). They’re from New York, and lead singer Claudio Sanchez also has some amazing guitar skills – their impressive performance actually reminded me a lot of Dragonforce.

ROCKY NTI
I mentioned him briefly previously, but Rocky Nti is actually from Milton Keynes – my friend Briony, who I went to Reading with – actually went to school with him and someone who I work with knows him, so he’s quite local. He has a very upbeat, happy, soft rock sound and I loved his performance in person. It really got me up and dancing. However, unfortunately I don’t feel his online music does his voice justice, but I’d 100% recommend checking him out in person.

THE WHOLLS
I can’t remember how I heard about these guys. I have a sneaky feeling they may have been the support band at a local gig, but they’ve been on my Facebook for a long time now and I finally got to see them at Reading. I caught them on the BBC Introducing Stage which I really liked as, well, the whole point of the BBC Introducing Stage is to introduce you to new music. They describe themselves as alternative rock, and I just feel like they’re the type of band that would be right at home on a huge stage at a headlining slot as they would in a local basement gig. These guys are definitely worth keeping your eye on.

VEXXES
Vexxes are another heavier band but I really liked them. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to catch their whole set, but I have been listening to them ever since on Spotify. Their following may be smaller than others on this page, but their fan base is growing fast and steady with their catchy riffs and relatable lyrics. Plus, vocalist Tom Fieldhouse has some definite talent.
    

Other bands also worth mentioning include VANT (who I actually discovered at Lost Village earlier this year, not at Reading), Hot Dub Time Machine (who is actually an innovative DJ, not a rock band) and Heck who’s music wasn’t to my taste at all but who put on a crazy and awesome show regardless.

Have you ever discovered or stumbled across an artist at a festival who you’ve gone on to absolutely love?! Let me know!