Ok, we have been, we did everything and we all came back, some happy, some on MTV2 and some in NME Magazine but we all loved it!!!

Friday

The day opened up with emo rockers FINCH (9) on the Radio 1 stage who woke everyone up and caused much havoc. Then wandering off for a while and finding Chris, we set our eyes upon THE BELLRAYS (8) who were the biggest suprise of the day but after a while, got very repetative. Then I found Layla in the pit of mayhem for Texan pop-punkers FENIX TX (6) who were dissapointing but did give us a new song. Meanwhile THE DANDY WARHOLS (6) and GUIDED BY VOICES (7) weren't anything special. Then back in the Radio 1 tent, NEW FOUND GLORY (9) blasted everyone away with powerful vocals and classics like 'My Friend's Over You' and 'Hit or Miss' and playing other favourites such as 'Understatment', 'Sucker' and 'The Glory of Love.' Then I went to watch the one and only WEEZER (8) who gave us all the classics and performed to the best they could in 60 minutes. Then after falling asleep, Joe wakes me up to remind me of THE STROKES (10) who were definatly worth the wait and definatly the best band of the day playing new and old songs and Jack White playing the guitar solo for 'NYC Cops' and me and Lindsey getting some of Julians birthday cake, it capped off the Friday tremendesly, then at the campsite, we met Alex and Gav from the Isle of Man, how spooky?! Thanks to Beckie for watching The Strokes.

Saturday

Made my way to the Concrete Jungle Stage to watch JESSE JAMES (9) who were most definatly the best band I seen that day. Then I made my way to the Main Stage to stay for a good few hours, the first of bands VEX RED(8) were a band I didn't think I'd enjoy but performed songs like 'Can't Smile' and 'Itch' very well, but sorry to say were overshadowed by the king of partying hard who decided to fall on me, so I kissed him, ANDREW WK (9) whos moshing and amazing dancing ripped the crowd apart and belive me, I was ready to party 'til I puked but instead I skanked the time away to LESS THAN JAKE (9) who really were fantastic who created many crazy skank pits then the bill went downhill when A (6) took the stage, being very lairy and cocky and very dissapointing. Then the days best dressed and best performance THE HIVES (10) took the stage in which Hollin' Pelle Almqvist got the crowd to clap for him saying things like 'You are great and so are we, clap for The Hives.' Then watching SUM 41 (5) for 10 minutes felt like i was watching Smash Hits TV so I left where I caught the end on [SPUNGE] (6) who weren't that much better but apparently they like to kick pigeons which is very mean as pigeons are great! THE GET UP KIDS (7) took the Concrete Jungle stage next playing some great Emo Punk songs then being very tired, I left and sat down in numorous places watching FACE TO FACE (6) and COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE (8). Then I made my way into the Radio 1 tent where JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION (9) were, well fantastic and very enjoyable. Then the highlight of my day, JIMMY EAT WORLD (9) took the stage opening with 'A Praise Chorus' and closing with 'Sweetness', they really were a great pleasure to watch from the front row as so were FOO FIGHTERS (8) who opening with the new single 'All My Life' and of course Dave Grohl had to do something stupid like pick his nose and wipe it all over the camera. Definatly the lairy day of Reading 2002, we all stumbled back to the tent where the night got better.

Sunday

Running from the entrance to the arena to the front of the Main Stage was a mission, but it was well worth it to watch a band like THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN (10) cause havoc and have a shit on stage and smear it all over his shirt. Best thing was when he ran up to me and I put one arm around him so I didn't touch the shit. They were everything I hoped they would be as were RAGING SPPEDHORN (8) who also caused moshpit mayhem with songs like 'The Gush' and my personal favourite, 'Thumper'. The only unsigned band on the Main Stage, AMEN (9) are still as good as ever still rocking out and Casey Choas jumping on my head even though they aren't payed anymore. Brit emo rockers HUNDRED REASONS (9) got the crowd going and happily crazy and the fans greating they're set like they've been around for many years, but a different story for PUDDLE OF MUDD (5) who were probably, the worst act I saw EVER. Lairy as we were, Tom was being so lairy, the bassist picked up a bottle and threw it at him and we laughed at him. NOFX (10), probably one of the best punk bands ever were so outstanding, they got the crowd going and Fat Mike even got me into trouble. Playing many favourites and ending with 'Linoleum', most probably their finest song. After this, the arena started to fill up with a lot of teenage girls. This is because INCUBUS (7) hit the main stage. undoubtably a fantastic live act, but the absence of 'Pardon Me' and 'New Skin' and a lot of people not noticing this made it a disappointing act. Now, you either love them or hate them, but SLIPKNOT (9) were on top performance today, playing a usual set and DJ Sid Wilson with half a mask and face paint and Shawn Crahan with his old clown mask, new simple and baggy boiler suits and none of that Iowa shit, the nine man hate army really performed well playing mini moshers favs like 'Wait and Bleed' and 'Left Behind' and better songs like 'Eyeless', 'The Heretic Anthem' and 'Surfacing', it was a fantastic performance but then THE OFFSPRING (7) let us down playing much of the 'Americana' and 'Conspiracy of One' albums, a dissapointed performance from one of punks biggest punk bands. Front row at 10.30 on the Sunday at the Main Stage was probably the best place you could be all weekend as PRODIGY (10) blasted onto the stage with so much energy, bass, power and lights you wouldn't know what would've hit you. Playing new tracks off the new album out in March 2003 and classics, they were they highlight of the weekend and Keith Flints silky top which I got a grab off, made the night even more special. The Reading Festival 2002 had many highs and no lows, what a fantastic weekend. If you missed out, start saving for next years festival, it WILL be bigger.

Joe Chapman