I’ve got to start by giving a huge thank you to the crew at Reading Rising. This was my first time at the festival and from the moment I rocked up in my frog shoes, I was looked after. It was refreshing to see a team working so smoothly and collaboratively. I managed to say my hellos to everyone as they came and went with jobs.
The Face Bar proved to be a fantastic venue: easy to get to, just about 15 minutes from the train station, and the perfect setting for the mix of bands on the lineup. Saturday leaned heavier, while Sunday brought a more upbeat, energetic vibe, meaning there was something for everyone. Throughout the day I chatted with both first‑timers and seasoned veterans, and the feedback was unanimous: positive, welcoming, and full of love for the festival and scene.
The timings of the day were spot on, with no clashes and both stages used to their fullest potential. The merch table was fully accessible, which made browsing and buying easy for everyone. The venue itself was also very welcoming for disabled music lovers, something we at CHAOS always hold close to our hearts.
Villumier kicked off Saturday as a fantastic opener and set the tone for the whole weekend. Their songs dive into the theme of toxic relationships, giving their music a raw edge that resonated with the crowd. With no bass player, the vocals from both the lead singer and guitarist carried the weight effortlessly, showcasing their talent and chemistry. Fresh off a powerful set, Villumier kept the excitement rolling by dropping their debut EP Heat straight after their performance. This young band already has a great look and a polished live presence, and they’re definitely one to watch. With one of their tracks hitting 15,000 streams on Spotify (a huge achievement!!) it’s clear Villumier is charging forward with serious momentum! Wow guys!
Kulan Gath brought hardcore energy to the Siren Craft Brew Stage, with their singer repeatedly urging the crowd to move forward. Though I’ll admit I wasn’t risking getting spin‑kicked by the guy helicoptering at the front! As someone who’s recently admitted to getting more and more into hardcore, I can say Kulan Gath are a fantastic band to see live, and both times I’ve caught them they’ve left me buzzing and impressed me with their sound, stage presence, and just general overall fun factor.
Sypha dominated the stage as an energetic four‑piece metal band from Brighton who know how to work a crowd. At one point they had everyone get down on the ground, only to explode back up with a surge of energy that lit up the room. Their guitarist couldn’t stop flashing cheeky grins (a man clearly loving every second of his job) which only added to the fun atmosphere. With a great crowd reaction and a huge round of applause as they left the stage, they left the Reading scene wanting more!
Fresh off their Bloodstock performance, Compounds are clearly a band coming for all the festivals, proving themselves as hardworking and determined to make it happen. Delivering their brand of melodic hardcore with intensity, they brought both power and personality to the stage. At one point the singer took a stroll through the venue and stopped directly in front of me, turning the moment into what felt like a private concert. That kind of interaction with the crowd made the whole set feel more personal and memorable, and then of course went straight back to mini moshpits and bringing the breakdowns! A powerful voice and talented musicians to match, compounds put on a great performance!
It was a fresh twist to see some of the Reading Rising team step onto the stage themselves with their band InAir. Now a four‑piece group from Reading/Oxford, they absolutely killed their set on the Down For Life Music Stage. They even played a new song that left the crowd curious about what else they might be working on – hint hint! I made sure to be right down the front to snag the perfect spot, and it was well worth it! On top of that, their stage presence was fantastic, and the crowd had so much fun throughout the set. It was at this point in the day that I first realised the time! The day was going far too quickly for my liking but obviously time flies when you’re having fun!
The lads in This Dying Hour announced to the crowd that they had made the hard choice to close the door on the band. They delivered a farewell show to remember, packed with energy and emotion, leaving everyone excited for what’s next. I managed to snag the boys for an interview and even though they said they would not fully close the door on This Dying Hour I asked what was next for them. Two members revealed they’re already working on new tech‑metal music together, another is active in a different band, and the last is certain to be snapped up quickly. The audience gave them the send‑off they deserved, full of passion and support, marking a fitting end to their journey. Good luck guys in your next chapter!
I caught the end of Royals’ set and was immediately greeted by a killer pop punk performance! I am such a poppunk fan at heart and they tour up the stage with impeccable songs and great energy! Even though I hadn’t reached out to them for an interview beforehand, what I heard made it clear I couldn’t let them slip through my fingers. The crowd’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and when I spoke to a few people afterwards, they told me it was their first time seeing Royals live but they were already excited to catch them again!
The team at Reading Rising made absolutely sure there were no clashes between bands and even left five minutes in between to get between the stage, however, I still ended up missing Continents due to interviews and the need for food! Apologies on my behalf!
Crushed by Waves quickly proved themselves to be a crowd favourite, with loads of their merch being worn proudly by punters throughout the venue. Stage presence and crowd interaction are things I value highly, and this band had mastered both!! Working seamlessly with the audience to create a truly engaging atmosphere. Their set was bursting with energy, backed by a great sound that kept the momentum high throughout. I even caught them for an interview before their performance, which only added to the excitement of seeing how well they delivered live. Absolutely smashed it lads!
Devil Sold His Soul managed to deliver their full set at Reading Rising despite an unexpected sound system issue that was completely out of anyone’s control. Their reaction, along with the professionalism of the crew, Reading Rising team, and security, was impressive as the problem was resolved in record time! The band played two songs before the fix and four more afterwards, keeping the crowd updated throughout and never losing momentum. Their dual vocals were mixed perfectly, creating a powerful dynamic that elevated the performance, and the outro was one of the best I’ve ever heard live. With such energy, resilience, and musicianship, Devil Sold His Soul absolutely delivered, leaving me eager to see more from them in the future.
Two Year Break headlined the DFLM stage with a powerful alternative rock set that radiated high energy from start to finish. Their dramatic front man delivered the lyrics with passion, making sure the crowd felt every word, while the guitarist’s vocals added an extra layer of strength to the performance. The entire band played incredibly well, with a set list that flowed seamlessly and kept the atmosphere buzzing despite the heat in the room – maybe it was just me but I hate hot rooms! Throughout the show, the boys exchanged big grins with each other, perfectly mirroring the smiles of the crowd, and creating a vibe that was just unforgettable!
Still Remains, the OG metalcore musicians, headlined Reading Rising on the Siren Craft Brew Stage with an explosive performance that showed exactly why they remained a top tier band. To quote our beloved Zahir, Still Remains are Metalcore Titans and I can not wait for them to come back! The band’s energy was undeniable, and they made it clear how much they loved the UK, going so far as to say in the interview before the set that they wanted to return 17 times in the following five years! And yes, they explicitly said 17 times, and an album release party in the UK (I may have talked them into this but hush). Pianist Zach absolutely stole the show for me with his infectious energy, even tossing his keyboard around one‑handed like it weighed nothing. Their set was a masterclass, closing out the first day of Reading Rising in the best way possible!! The looks on the crowd’s faces said it all! Day one had been a resounding success! On to day two!
Some shows are live, some pre-recorded. All times are GMT
