Let’s be honest: half the fun was scrolling through the line-up and going, “Who? Who? And… who?” You’d spot Nothing But Thieves and pretend you’d been a fan for years. “Oh, yeah, their first EP was a game-changer,” you’d say, while frantically Googling them on your phone under the duvet. It’s okay, we all did it.
Petition · Announce Reading and Leeds Festival 2018 line up or riot
And then there were the acts that just made sense. Post Malone was there, probably wearing a face tattoo and a questionable denim jacket. He was the guy who’d be playing at 4pm, but his set would feel like a headliner because everyone would be shouting “Congratulations” until their throats gave out. It’s the modern-day campfire song, just with more face tattoos.
The Nostalgia Bait You Fell For
Every festival needs a dose of nostalgia, and 2018 delivered with Brockhampton and Rex Orange County. These were the bands your cooler, more emotionally intelligent friend insisted you listen to. You’d stand there, nodding along, pretending you understood all the deep references, but really you were just happy to be part of the vibe. It’s like being invited to a book club but only reading the back cover—you still get the gist.
And let’s not forget the indie darlings. The Vaccines were there, proving that you can still wear a leather jacket and be perfectly fine at 30. They were the safe bet, like ordering a burger at a fancy restaurant. You know what you’re getting, and you’re never disappointed.
Reading Festival line up and 10 things you need to know if you're going
