Axl's grinding show

Published 2 Sep 2010 15:00 0 Comments

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AMONG the thousands of revellers at Reading Festival were one couple who have attended for more than 30 years.

Birch Hill, couple Paul and Lyn Illsley, are veterans of the festival, with Paul having been to every single one since 1974 and Lyn since 1980.

Back in 1974 Alex Harvey, 10cc and Traffic headlined and through the years since then they would have seen legendary bands including Nirvana, The Police and The Ramones. The festival started in 1961.

Lyn, 47, who got together with husband Paul at the event, said: "It was much smaller and basic, it was much more of a biker festival back then and an older crowd. There were hardly any women!

"It is much more commercial now, but it is still brilliant.

"I thought Axl Rose was a disappointment but we really really loved it."

The couple went to the festival dressed as Jimmy Hendrix and The Joker.

She said that their 23-year-old son dropped them off and picked them up every day, so they avoided camping in the mud.

Lyn added: "My husband absolutely terrified all the young people there with his fancy dress outfit! All the girls were screaming and running away!"

Paul, 52, said: "Reading Festival used to be a burger van in a field and you never used to pay to get in. It has grown and grown, I have seen some great bands over the years.

"Guns and Roses were a disappointment, but it was really good this year."

As the long weekend drew to a close on Sunday grubby festivalgoers reflected on their favourite moments of this year's event. Among the best loved acts were Pendulum, Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire and Reading band Amy's Ghost, pictured inset, who attracted the biggest audience ever seen at the BBC Introducing stage.

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the hit films, was enjoying the festival with his sister. He said: "This year seems to be much more about the music, it's great. Reading is my favourite festival it always seems to be quite an adventure and every year is different."

Closing the festival on Sunday night were pop-punk band Blink-182 who drew a massive crowd for one of their much-anticipated UK comeback shows following a three-year break up. Their reception was much warmer than that of Guns n' Roses who headlined on Friday night and drew boos from the crowd after arriving on stage an hour late and giving a disappointing performance.

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