AFTER wind and rain caused the event to be cancelled for Saturday, Readipop returned with aplomb, and with a few of Saturday’s acts in tow.
Early afternoon on Sunday saw Missing the Scene take hard-hitting, guitar-driven rock to the Purple Turtle stage, played with energy and abandon.
Ophelia Rae swiftly followed on the main stage, bringing raucous, riotous rock peppered with acidic guitar riffs which bring the genre back to its roots.
Originally tipped for Saturday, a number of Readipop’s AAA performers didn’t miss out on the all-important showcase, including Luminaria.
Kicking off with original song Over Me, the band performed an accomplished cover of Moaning Lisa Smile by Wolf Alice before closing the set with another original, The Bay.
Their wistful, melodic rock style shows a mixture of shoegaze and hard rock influences, with strong vocals and almost throwaway delivery.
Following their set, the group said: “We’ve all been with Reading Rock Academy for about a year, and they asked if we wanted to join a band, and we said yes.”
While they count Wolf Alice among their influences, band member Archie said: “We have a real mixture of different music tastes, and it can be very divided, but it all comes together.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to do something you love and to get your name out there, too.
“We’ll be working on heavier stuff, more distortion, more pedals.”
Lwazi followed on the Little Top stage, with his vocal cover of Oasis’ Wonderwall leaving the crowd crying out for more
Another of AAA’s offerings was Kalid, a vocal performance collective joined remotely by a fellow member for an exciting version of Ramsay’s Pizza Feast.
Over on the Purple Turtle Stage, D’Voxx brought neon-soaked electronica, reminiscent of the 80s and filled with arpeggiated synth and thumping bass.
Jess Fitz was next, flanked by woodwind and brass which gave her set a classic sound, further highlighting her assured vocal ability.
Back in town and Radio Silence were particular highlights, marrying influences such as soul, jazz, and pop for a well-rounded sound befitting the open, approachable songwriting.
AAA’s Ami brought confident, capable rap which radiated exuberant energy at the Little Top, followed by K. Kayne, who also joined her on stage for a duet.
Speaking after her set, Ami said: “It was amazing– the crowd always shows you so much love, they’re so hyped and it makes it so enjoyable for the person on the stage.”
She explained that she heard about Readipop’s AAA sessions: “When I was at a very low point in my life.
“They’re there to help people who are really struggling and to support us, and it really got me started in music.
“Especially the producers at AAA, they’ve influenced me so much as they’ve come so far themselves, so a massive thank you to them, because without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Speaking on the future of her music output, she said: “I’m planning to release a few songs soon, and there’ll be more and more coming.”
K. Kayne’s consummate, home-grown rap displayed his accomplished vocal ability as much as his songwriting.
His talent shines through with supreme stage presence and well-earned confidence that immediately endears the audience and brings them right with him wherever he wants to take the set.
Reading’s BeetRoots instilled the full carnival atmosphere when they eschewed the main stage to join the crowd as the rain began.
BeatRootz bring the party straight to the audience with rhythmic drumming and instrumentation, laden with pure energy and joy, joined by an on-stage DJ.
Jungle Brothers were next to burst onto the stage, full of infectious, upbeat energy which immediately set them apart as one of the highlights of the festival.
Their set was an almost seamless hour of quintessential hip-hop, featuring nods to a number of classics including Cypress Hill’s Insane in the Membrane.
They came back for a final double encore mixing consummate hip-hop scatting and group vocals.
Ray Wills showcased his deeply soulful and melodic vocals, peppered into a quick-fire but laid-back style of rapping.
His set was exciting and fresh, especially as stripped-back sections descend into full band breaks of lush, vibrant instrumentation.
Lee Switzer-Woolf performed at the Little Top stage, bringing earnest, open songwriting performed with an easy approachability.
His set featured some more down-beat ballads which suited the wistful feeling of the festival’s closing hours in rain-drizzled sunset.
He finished with a particularly tender song, closing the set on a touching and emotional note.
The main stage set and adorned with strange instruments for the final act, Snapped Ankles appeared in their usual boiler suits and tattered headgear, immediately kicking into their first song.
The band sent the festival off with an explosive closing note, merging influences from around the world and from multiple genres, blended into a thrilling, thumping soundscape.
“It was in this very field 20 years ago I was struck by lightning,” the anonymous lead vocalist said.
“But I know now health and safety first, stay away from the trees– they don’t like us anymore.”
Readipop Festival is over for another summer, but the charity’s work continues all year.
More information about Readipop’s outreach programmes, music sessions, and updates about its in-house label, RISER, is available via: readipop.co.uk
