Why the "Reading" Festival?
The festival first arrived in Reading in 1971 when it moved
from Plumpton in Sussex.
Reading was already hosting its very own Festival of Arts and
this provided the promoter, Harold Pendleton, with
an ideal festival site on the banks of the Thames. It is still
on the same site over 30 years later,
now organised by the Mean Fiddler.
Is the Festival good for Reading?
The Festival generates vast income and creates huge interest in the town.
It is estimated that the Festival brings in more than £7 million to Reading
and its inhabitants each year, with some 80,000 music fans invading Reading
every August bank holiday.
The Reading Festival is truly world-class with bands appearing from all over
the globe (particularly the USA), making the town an internationally recognised
name on the music scene.
Exploring the Festival's history
The Festival has become an important part of life in the town and during
late 2004 the Museum of Reading staged a major retrospective exhibition
called 'Music, Mud and Mayhem'. The exhibition told the 30 year history of
the festival. These pages reflect some of those objects, images and
experiences that were featured in the displays.
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