For more than half a century, Reading Festival has been bringing some of the biggest names in music to Berkshire – transforming from a small jazz and blues event into one of the UK’s most iconic festivals.
From legendary performances to muddy fields, unforgettable crowds and generations of music fans, the festival has become a huge part of Reading’s identity.
As thousands prepare to descend on Richfield Avenue once again this year to see the likes of Charli XCX, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C., Chase & Status and RAYE.
We now take a look back at the history of the event that put Reading firmly on the musical map.
The early years
The festival began life in 1971 as the National Jazz and Blues Festival, taking place at various locations before eventually making its home in Reading.
While its early line-ups focused heavily on jazz, blues and progressive rock, the event quickly began to evolve as musical tastes changed.
By the 1970s, Reading had become a key stop for some of the biggest names in rock music, attracting legendary performers and establishing itself as a major fixture on the UK festival calendar.
A new era at Richfield Avenue
The festival moved to its current home at Little John’s Farm on Richfield Avenue in 1971, where it has remained ever since.
The riverside location became synonymous with the event, with generations of fans making the journey to Reading each August for a weekend of live music.
Over the years, the festival site has changed dramatically, but the atmosphere of camping, crowds and live performances has remained at its heart.
Iconic performances
Reading Festival has played host to some unforgettable moments in music history.
Rock legends including The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, The Smiths, The Cure, Radiohead and Oasis have all performed at the festival over the years, helping cement its reputation as a place where careers can be made and historic moments can happen.
One of the most talked-about sets came in 1992, when Nirvana delivered a now-famous headline performance, with frontman Kurt Cobain appearing on stage in a wheelchair as part of a memorable entrance.
The festival has also provided breakthrough moments for emerging artists, with many acts using the Reading stage as a launchpad before going on to global success.
From rock festival to modern music giant
As music changed, so did Reading Festival.
While rock and alternative music remained central to its identity, the event expanded to include genres including indie, pop, hip-hop, electronic music and more.
The introduction of the sister event in Leeds in 1999 helped grow the festival’s reach, while Reading continued to attract huge crowds from across the UK and beyond.
Today, the festival is known for its diverse line-ups, headline acts and its ability to bring together different generations of music fans.
In recent years, Reading Festival has continued to reflect the changing face of popular music, with some of the world’s biggest modern stars taking to the main stage.
Alongside its traditional rock roots, the festival has welcomed headline performances from major female artists including Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey and Chappell Roan, highlighting the festival’s growing diversity. Other recent headline names have included The 1975, Arctic Monkeys and Stormzy, showing how Reading Festival has continued to evolve alongside the music industry while maintaining its reputation as one of the UK’s biggest live events.
A Reading tradition
For many people in the town, Reading Festival is more than just a weekend of music – it is a yearly tradition.
Local residents have watched the event grow from a small gathering into an internationally recognised festival, while thousands of people have their own memories of first visits, favourite performances and unforgettable moments.
Whether it is standing in the crowd for a favourite band, camping with friends or simply feeling the buzz across the town during festival weekend, Reading Festival has become part of the fabric of Berkshire life.
More than 50 years after it began, one thing remains clear – Reading Festival continues to hold a special place in the town where it all began.
