THE stages have been erected, the traders are laying out their merchandise, and the campers have started arriving…
…Reading Festival weekend is officially upon us.
The line-up this year is truly eclectic, with indie heroes Kasabian headlining the Main Stage at 10pm, while rockers You Me At Six take to the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage at 10.25pm. Legendary DJ Fatboy Slim will be headlining the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at 10.15pm, while Canadian punk-rockers Billy Talent close things up on The Pit/Lock Up Stage at 10.30pm.
Other bands appearing throughout the day include Bastille (Main Stage, 8.20pm), The Orwells (NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage, 2.30pm) and P Money (BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage, 6.34pm)
Local band The Amazons will be worth getting up early for, as they are appearing on The Festival Republic Stage at 2.10pm, before hosting a signing session at the BBC Signing Tent at 3.30pm.
On Saturday, hip hop icon Eminem headlines the Main Stage at 9.50pm, following Major Lazer on the same stage at 7.55pm. Rockers While She Sleeps headline The Pit/Lock Up Stage at 10.30pm, while Flume close the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage from 10.30pm
Comedian Bill Bailey brings the laughs to The Alternative Stage at 5pm, while rockers Korn take to the Main Stage shortly after at 6.20pm. Goldie will be appearing on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at 7.05pm, and Everything Everything will take to the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage at 7.50pm.
Sunday will see performances from the likes of Architects (Main Stage, 4.30pm), Picture This (Festival Republic Stage, 6.05pm) and Mistajam (BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, 7.40pm), while headliners Muse rock the Main Stage at 9.55pm, Haim take to the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage at 10.40pm and Neck Deep rock The Pit/Lock Up Stage from 10.30pm.
Tickets for Reading Festival have now completely sold out.
Festival-goers will not be allowed to bring bags exceeding 8.27”x 11.69” into the arena, and will be subjected to bag searches.
Only sealed bottles of water or soft drinks of 500ml and under will be allowed to be brought into the arena. Water points are located throughout the festival site where bottles can be topped up.
Aerosols exceeding 250ml, air horns, gas canisters, paper lanterns, drones, fireworks, glass or pineapples will not be allowed in either the campsites or arena.
Gazebos, flags, large bags, disposable barbecues and audio recorders will be allowed in the campsites, but not the festival arena.
Cash points will be available within the arena.
Regular shuttle buses will operate between Reading train station and the town centre to the festival site. Car parking is available for the day or the weekend.
For more information see www.readingfestival.com.