Sunday 27/08/06 Day 3 @ Reading Festival, Richfield Avenue

By day three everyone is struggling to stay clean and sober- but who can  blame them after such a ****ing great two days? So, it’s time to get up and get down to the Main Arena for the last day of Reading 2006 as introduced by The On Offs and Tapes ‘N Tapes.

The On Offs aren’t anything more than just okay - reminiscent of Supergrass in their jerky sound they play to a nearly empty tent and for an indifferent response. It seems that Tapes ‘N Tapes have stolen the crowd. This rather odd four piece have posses a style that can only be described as ‘unique’- quirky riffs in some places, college rock in another and vocals with a touch of Captain Beefheart to them then blend them well like Scissors For Lefty, only Tapes have a coating of sleaze on their sound, and although they don’t quite fill the stage, they are a band that are slowly getting there in the live arena.

We then take a trip over to the dance tent for Lady Sovereign for a bit of something different. This mouthy little MC certainly knows how to control her crowd with her snappy lyrics, heavy beats and feisty attitude. “What time is it?” she asks when nearing the end of her set. Shit! Madly running over to the Carling stage, Gigwise arrives panting and to see You Say Party! We Say Die! You can’t help but pick up on the feel good factor of YSP!WSD! The sounds they pump out of the amps is infectious and delicious. Semifinalists continue the line-up, but this band’s music is more suited to adverts than a live performance; certainly not an unforgettable experience as the crowd appear disinterested and move out of the tent. Thank God Good Shoes walk on next. This act is another tent packer with their Clash musical style in the jangley guitar playing and although strictly verboten kids pour over the barrier as they crowd surf their way up to the front.

Between the wall of sound Slayer are producing over on the main stage, it’s a wonder anyone can hear what’s going on in the other tents. It’s just as well Lethal Bizzle cranks the volume right up and lets rip with the whole crowd singing along to ‘Uh Oh’ its angry and menacing and gets a massive response. Even though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, like Dizzee Rascal, Lethal Bizzle is very different and the tunes are well constructed and so have that touch more of diversity than most of their contemporaries.