Rock Legends Hit the Decks at Reading!

30 August 2002

It was hoi palloi heaven in the backstage 'Orange Lounge' at this year's Reading Festival, as priviliged revellers were treated to 'all back to mine' style DJ sessions from the likes of The Vines, Slipknot, Skunk Anansie and Janes Addicion singer Perry...

The 'Orange Lounge' backstage at the Reading Festival 2002 was the place to be this year. Positioned in the guest area, this sophisticated space housed a ferocious soundsystem, lively bar and Orange installations. During the day it had a chilled ambience attracting the likes of Mike Skinner aka The Streets rocking to his own chilled tunes. The evenings rocked with sets from the finest DJs and main stage acts (like The Hives, pictured right) playing 'all back to mine' sessions.

Friday saw The Vines kicking it with block rocking beats and the Lo Fi All Stars taking it into a future discos frenzy. The main attraction was Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrel who took the roof off with his own twisted blend of trance and house - seeing the legend in such an intimate surround after his main stage extravagance caused something of a reaction as Jane's fans of all ages got into his new wave vibe.

On Saturday, Ace from Skunk Anansie took to the decks mixing hiphop with rocking old skool grooves. The highlight of the day was The Hives with Howlin' Pele and Vigilante taking us on a journey from Blue Grass and Cajan to smooth funk grooves and bad boy blues - they rocked it. Finally, the tech house trio of Kelvin, Andrews, Graeme Fisher and Russ H ensured the crowd danced into the night.

Sunday, saw the grand final with The Cuban Brothers presenting the 'Barry Peters Reading Roadshow' - a tribute to all things rock. Incorporating anthems to get the crowd screaming with bare bottomed dance moves and comedy banter, the Bros. took the roof off. Special guest of the day was Sid from Slipknot (in a half mask) rolling out a set of sophisticated two step and drum and bass - bad boy tunes indeed - handing over to Dave, Barry Peter's mullet-ed mate made for a great moment in rock history - as the Reading Roadshow took it into the night.