ARE YOU Listening? Festival has wrapped for another year, continuing the legacy of bringing established acts and up-and-coming artists alike to venues around Reading for more than a decade.
The event sees bands and performers taking to the stage in the town’s most celebrated, staple venues including the Purple Turtle, Sub 89, Face Bar, Milk, and St Laurence Church, as well the Marketplace Hub stage.
DJ AF kicked off proceedings at Marketplace before introducing Matthew One Man, Secret Rivals, and Reading’s own Damien A Passmore.
Meanwhile Plantoid brought a breezy sensibility to their jazzy, funk-infused brand of rock, brimming with abandon and attention in equal measure.
Puma Theory, who hail from Reading, brought consummate rock to Sub 89 hot on the heels of their latest single, Sobering Lights, released earlier this month.
The band matches compelling songwriting with commanding stage presence, reminiscent of indie idols Foals, especially in their crunchier riffs and more melodic choruses.
The band explained that while they had played the venue a number of times, it was their first under their current guise, before signing off with fan-favourite Hit and Run.
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Over at the Purple Turtle, emerging band Empires, Empires combined rock riffs and dreamlike breakdowns to their set, complimented by the addition of a violin.
While their rock leanings bleed through regularly, it serves only to add a rough edge to a toe-tapping, infectious indie outlook.
As their set came to a close, they paid tribute to Steve Albini, who died this month, crediting him as “a massive influence” to all of the band.
Following their set, they said of the festival: “It’s fantastic– it’s cool, everyone here is so receptive, and coming here [to Face Bar] and to have everyone saying hi, it’s amazing.”
Of their set, they said: “It was really enjoyable, and it was quite improvised– we don’t like it to be too put together, and everyone liked it.
“We’ve played the Turtle collectively about 50 times, only a few times as Empires, but this time was definitely the best.”
Masquerader fizzed with energy as they barrelled onto the stage at Face Bar, steeped in acidic guitar and thrashing vocal style.
Their confidence and approachability on stage belies a raw, angsty sensibility at the heart of their music, inspiring mosh pits and circle pits which were quickly joined by lead singer, every bit the punk frontman.
Heartworms brought slinky, creeping basslines and hooky pop-rock to Sub 89, before headliners The Mysterines closed the venue for the festival.
Reading’s own drag monarch, Big Jay, was joined by Philli Mi Up for sassy and sultry performances at Milk, including an lip-sync contest which saw two members of the audience pitted against one another.
After a headline set from Antony Szmierek, followed by Fat Dog, in St Laurence Church, DJs Steve Store, Andy Smith, and Tongue & Groove closed the festival for another year.
More information about Are You Listening? Festival is available via: areyoulistening.org.uk
