Okay, so this time last week I was just getting into the campsite at Reading! We had to queue for a while to get through the wristband exchange, but compared to alst years boat queueing, it was so much easier. We were in pretty much the exact same spot we were last year, which was good, and we had some lovely, lovely people camped around us, which was also great. Unfortunately, we had some loser scenesters camped near us also, which was annoying, as they just set fiore to tents, threw stuff and exploded gas cannisters. Oh well. I might as well add this now because I can't remember when it happened but one of the scenesters got glassed, one had an eyepatch by Sunday, a load of cars were set on fire, the riots we horrendous, someone got stabbed and a girl was unfortuantely killed by a gas cannister incident. Anyway, the days!

FRIDAY:
So on Friday, we went to meet Nina, as she had a day ticket. Before this however, Mel and I saw Anti-Flag, who were nothing special, really. We also got our RATM tops then, which is lucky as they quickly sold out! Once I'd met Nina, we walked to the campsite, dropped off her sleeping bag (she camped Friday to make her journey home easier) and walked to the NME/Radio 1 tent. Unfortunately, we timed this wrong and had to stand through the awful Blood Red Shoes. We made it right in the centre for be your own PET, who were outstanding, and we got crushed to death and jumped on by Nathan. I'm not sure if Nina enjoyed them, but it was definitely a highlight for me, they were suckish, yet absoultely amazing! As we were destroyed after byoP's set, we legged it to get a drink, to the toilets and forcefully made our way to the mainstage barrier for Serj Tankian. Although we missed Empty Walls as we were in the toilet queue, we saw the rest of the set, which I have to admit was pretty damn good! He covered Abba - what more do you want? Next it was Biffy Clyro! I love Biffy Clyro! I was so excited I could've wet myself. They opened with Saturday Superhouse which was awesome. Simon Neil is one of my favourite frontmen ever. They played an astonishingly awesome set and after them, I was pretty darn tired. Luckily for me, the musical atrocity which is The Enemy were on next. As we were on the mainstage barrier we decided not to move as we had an awesome spot, yet they were dreadful. Utterly dreadful. Words can't describe my displeasure. And if that wasn't bad enough, The Fratellis followed them up. I didn't mind watching them, as Nina wanted to see them and I'd dragged her to byoP, but I really didn't enjoy it. Anyway, I did enjoy the next band very much. Queens of the Stone Age were the next band. Queens of the Stone Age were amazing. Queens of the Stone Age opened with Go With The Flow. Nina and I had a lot of fun. It was amazing, the best thus far of the day. But they were beaten by the headline act. Rage Against the Machine. I don't really think I need to say any more really. Joint best gig I've ever ever witnessed. Seriously. Wake Up speech, Bombtrack, Freedom, Bullet in the Head, Bulls on Parade and of course Killing in the Name were amazing, but I couldn't pick a highlight of the set. I  adored every second of it, but my body didn't, so we slumped back to camp - barely alive and ecstatic.

SATURDAY:
Saturday was, in each and every way, the crap indie day. Kay and Jake were dayers today, which was unfortunate as the line up sucked! Anyyyyyyyyyway. I met up with them, and we saw Lovvers, of whom I really enjoyed, then I met up with Mel and her friend (who I think was called Paul?) at the Lock Up, and we watched The Gaslight Anthem I think it was. I'd never heard any of their stuff, but they truly were awesome. I really enjoyed them. First English show, I think as well, but I'm not too sure, either way - listen to them. Then I shuffled over to Carling Stage (shut up, I can't get used to Festival Republic stage!) and caught the last of Twisted Wheel,  who were nothing special, and then White Lies, who really surpassed my expectations - good stuff. Then Los Campesinos!. Before Reading, I really didn't like them. To be fair, I'd never listened to them I just thought "pretentious Xiu Xiu fans making twee indie pop - nahhh", but to be honest, they were really really good! I really did enjoy them! Next was Louis XIV. Amazing. Really really. Go see them live, on record they just dont compare. Brilliant.  No more needs to be said because I'm on a positive adjective drought. Next, I went to Lock Up once again to see Flogging Molly. Wow. I had so much fun it's incomprehensible. I got battered, I could barely see a thing, and I was right in the middle with some frankly quite terrifying looking males. Either way, it was great. Everything I expected it to be and more. Then the disappointment that was Justice. Ah, Justice, before you play to thousands of smacked-up kiddos, learn to mix properly. The set was pretty boring, and I got food. Then, because Wag wanted to see the Manics, I stayed with him through Bullet For My Valentine. Big, big mistake. I couldn't tell you truthfully, but I'm pretty sure the look on my face was not a pretty sight. They had cool fire explosions, yeah, but the music made me bleed internally. Although Adrian did start moshing with this crazy fan, whihc was so funny, not even hilarity emphasises it enough. I dislike Manic Street Preachers, so I walked back to everyone, we got donuts and went back to camp.

SUNDAY:
The day was started with groaning, falling out of my tent and going off to see The Death Set, which were really good. They decided to smash up their guitars and set fire to them at the end, which was quite amusing, then it was the amazing, fabulous, super-duper, awesome Robots in Disguise, who were definitely a highlight of the weekend. A giant mirroball spaceship arrived on stage to The DJ's Got a Gun, and two dancing robots and Sue and Dee followed. they were brilliant!! Unfortunately, their set was cut short and they couldn't play their last song, which inspired a mass chant and screeches, but nothing could be done. Following them was a great disappointment in the shape of The Whip, of which their only good songs were the ones where none of them sang. Although they did have confetti. Next it was who I was waiting for after RiD - Holy Fuck. They were amazing. Seriously. Whatever attitude you have about them being too P4K-y or something for you - drop it. Now. Really, really good. Then I had to go see The Music with everyone, which I did not enjoy. But I did get some tasty cheesey chips, which was nice! Then it was Tenacious D, which were, on all accounts, awesome. The image of Kyle dressed as a lizard will never leave my brain, and I'm not sure if I want it too. Really funny, really good. I'd definitely see them again. Then it was Metallica. Now, I'm not really a fan of this kind of music, but they were really, really, really amazing. One had some amazing explosions, fireworks and such, which was pretty spectacular, So What was great,  Enter Sandman rocked the whole of Berkshire, and everyone loved it. After their set, we went to the markets and I got a new bag, then it was back to the camp to be put through destruction by some dizzy 12 year olds and get waken up on  Monday after just an hours sleep by some exploding gas cannisters. Joy.

In a nutshell - best festival yet. Truely awesome. Roll on '09!