Reading Festival is the world’s longest-running popular music weekender, evolving from a jazz-centric gathering in 1961 into a 90,000-capacity, genre-blending pilgrimage for fans of rock, indie, rap, dance, and everything in between. This comprehensive guide tracks its 64-year journey—from jazz clarinets to mosh pits to Travis Scott’s auto-tune—and equips you with a detailed plan for Reading Festival 2025.
The Origins: 1956–1964 – From Beaulieu to Richmond
The story begins not in Reading but at Lord Montagu’s Beaulieu estate, where the National Jazz Federation hosted weekend festivals (1956–1960). By 1961, the gathering was branded the National Jazz Festival, relocating to Richmond Athletic Ground.
| Year(s) | Event Name | Location | Notable Genres | Attendance Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956–1960 | Beaulieu Jazz Festival | Beaulieu, Hampshire | Traditional Jazz | ~10,000 in 1960 |
| 1961–1964 | National Jazz Festival | Richmond, Surrey | Jazz → Blues | ~15,000 |
The Wandering Years: 1965–1970
Promoter Harold Pendleton sought bigger crowds and moved the event across southern England:
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Windsor Racecourse (1966–1967)
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Kempton Park (Sunbury-on-Thames) in 1968
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Plumpton Race Track (1969–1970)
The focus shifted from jazz to British blues-rock, featuring acts like Cream and Fleetwood Mac.
The Reading Era Begins: 1971
Invited by Reading Council, Pendleton brought the “Pop Festival” to Richfield Avenue in 1971 as part of a town-wide arts initiative. Despite sensationalist press headlines about “orgies of sex and naked ladies,” the festival found a permanent home.
1970s: The Hard-Rock Decade
Reading in the ’70s embraced the loud and the heavy. The crowd grew as Hawkwind (1971) and Status Quo (1973) set the tone. By 1975, the capacity hit 70,000.
| Year | Headliners | Defining Moment |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Rory Gallagher, Genesis | First-ever Reading lineup |
| 1975 | Yes, Wishbone Ash | Capacity peak |
| 1978 | The Jam | Punk infiltrates Reading |
1980–1986: Metal Mayhem & Licence Battles
1980 saw the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, with Whitesnake, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard leading the charge. Political tensions halted the festival in 1984–85, but it rebounded in 1986 thanks to a local farmer offering land.
1987–1998: Alternative Revolution
The festival began to reflect wider music shifts: Goth (The Mission), Grunge (Nirvana 1992), Britpop (Blur 1994), and U.S. alt-rock (Smashing Pumpkins 1995). Under Melvin Benn’s leadership (from 1989), the event became more professional and inclusive.
1999–Present: Twin-Site Era – Reading & Leeds
To meet booming demand, the Leeds leg was introduced in 1999, sharing identical lineups on alternating days. Carling’s sponsorship (1998–2007) gave way to Live Nation’s Festival Republic, which reinstated historic branding.
2000s–2010s: Iconic Moments & Genre Blending
Reading expanded into hip-hop and dance without losing its rock roots:
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Metallica’s epic 1997 Sunday takeover
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Slipknot’s mosh-pit carnage (2002)
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Kanye West’s 2015 surprise guest spot during Kendrick Lamar’s set
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Eminem (2013) and Kendrick Lamar (2018) marked a genre-fluid future
2020–2021: Pandemic Pause & Return
Reading & Leeds 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19—the first break since 1985. They returned in 2021 at reduced capacity, celebrating Reading’s 50th anniversary on Richfield Avenue.
🎪 Reading Festival 2025 – Your Ultimate Guide
Key Dates & Logistics
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Festival Dates | Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August 2025 |
| Arena Hours | 11:00 – 03:00 daily |
| Venue | Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ |
| Capacity | 90,000 per day |
| Campsites Open | Wed 20th (18:00 early entry) / Thu 21st (08:00 standard) |
💸 Tickets: £291.50 weekend / £125–£195 day
💳 Payment plans available; early entry is an add-on option.
2025 Headliners & Daily Highlights
| Day | Main Headliner | Direct Support | Dance Arena Highlight | Late-Night Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 22 Aug | Hozier | Chappell Roan | Becky Hill | Swiftogeddon Silent Disco |
| Sat 23 Aug | Bring Me The Horizon | Limp Bizkit | Sammy Virji | Chevron After-Hours (Charlie Tee) |
| Sun 24 Aug | Travis Scott | D-Block Europe | AJ Tracey DJ Set | Silent Karaoke (The Aux) |
Other Notable Acts: Enter Shikari, Bloc Party, Waterparks, Rudimental, Good Neighbours, Wallows, Nemzzz
Breakout Artists to Watch
🎤 Chappell Roan – Theatrical Midwestern pop star hitting viral heights
🎸 Heartworms – Gothic post-punk with edge
🎧 Jazzy – House vocalist behind UK No.1 hit “Giving Me”
🎙 Bakar – Genre-melding Londoner fresh off a Top 5 LP
What’s New for 2025
| Innovation | What It Adds |
|---|---|
| Smirnoff Stage | Underground dance, DnB and bassline action |
| Chevron Arena Upgrade | LED roof, 8,000 capacity upgrade |
| Five Themed Camps | Showers, styling bars, bookable in advance |
| Vacuum Toilets | 50% faster queuing, sealed against odours |
| Silent Disco + Karaoke | Nightly 23:00–03:00, three-channel + live mic |
Travel & Accommodation
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Camping: General included; Boutique glamping from £795 (ex. VAT)
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Campervans: Pass required, limited availability
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Train: Reading Station <1 km from site; late return trains to London
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Coach: Big Green Coach serves 45 UK cities
Survival Tips for a Smoother Weekend
🕖 Arrive Early – Red Camp tends to flood in rain.
💧 Hydrate – Free water points throughout; 500ml sealed bottles allowed.
👶 Kids & Safety – Welfare station wristbands for under-13s with emergency contacts.
💳 Cashless Site – Most stalls accept contactless; top-up stations available.
🌙 Need Sleep? – The Garden Camp has a strict midnight curfew.
Looking Forward
Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn has pledged a “bold new era,” promising:
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Gender-balanced lineups
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Eco-sustainable improvements by 2027
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More inclusive and genre-fluid programming
Reading Festival 2025 blends history, innovation and hedonism—offering fans a sonic pilgrimage across styles and stages. With world-class acts, upgraded facilities and deeper cultural roots than any other UK festival, Reading’s legacy shows no signs of fading.
🎟 Final Word
From jazz clarinets at Beaulieu to trap beats on Richfield Avenue, Reading Festival’s saga is Britain’s music history in microcosm. As 2025 beckons, grab your wristband, plan your pit stops, and prepare to write the next chapter.
Reading isn’t just a weekend—it’s a rite of passage.
