Reading Festival Rocks an Extra Night Despite Noise Complaints!

Reading Festival is one of the biggest music events in the UK, attracting over 100,000 fans every August bank holiday weekend. This year, the festival organizers, Festival Republic, asked for permission to extend the main stage music to a fourth day, starting on Thursday evening. Traditionally, the main performances begin on Friday, with Wednesday and Thursday serving as warm-up days for campers. The new plan would allow music on the main stage from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Thursdays, starting in 2027.

Many local residents were concerned about this change. Associations representing hundreds of people living near the festival site said that extra music would mean more noise and disruption, especially on a work night. Elisa Miles, who leads the Warren & District Residents Association, explained that while they are not against the festival itself, they worry about loud music making it hard for people to sleep. She said that the association has worked with Festival Republic for years to find ways to reduce the impact on neighbors, but late-night music on Thursdays could still be a problem.

Festival Republic’s managing director, Melvin Benn, said the extra night would give ticket holders better value for their money. He also argued that having music on Thursday would keep young people entertained and safe, instead of gathering in campsites or unsupervised areas. The festival’s application included a noise assessment, which found that Thursday music would not seriously affect nearby residents. The council agreed to the extension, and from next year, each ticket will cost one pound more, with the extra money going to support local people and businesses. Festival Republic promised to work with the council and the community to decide how to use these funds, hoping to bring in over £100,000 a year. The organizers say they want to make the festival enjoyable for everyone, including those living nearby.