Carling Weekend Main Stage: Reading (Fri) Leeds (Sat)

United Kingdom | by Andrew Future | 27 September 2004

Drugs don't kill people, mud does. Indeed, the sludgy campsite covered in wood chippings at Reading reminds us of the vomit-covered carpets of pre-school nurseries of years past.

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Speaking of which, 'Wacky' Welsh townie-cum-rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain look like a bunch of remedial kids imprisoned for an eternity at JJB Sports. Urban, illiterate indie hip hop, all NWA meets Brass Eye as done by the Newport Blazin' Squad. They provide a suitably chaotic wake-up call to the festival's early birds. Opening up the main stage billing, the bizarre medley of characters shoot through songs such as their recent single 'Guns Don't Kill People Rappers Do', proving only too well that underneath the tacky gold chains, baggy tracksuits and comedy lyrics their songs aren't actually that bad.

Breakfast never sounded so 'mo...Taking Back Sunday. It's like the sweet sound of stateside success sailing amplifiers against the noise created by an in tune ATD-i. The wirey frontman versus gruff beard guitarist routine makes the new album, 'Where You Want To Be' sit comfortably with the chorus based punk-age of 'Tell All Your Friends'. The sound smells good and the Sunday make with the act that Thursday always should have been. No one has been bottled off yet.

Hundred Reasons burn. Like an unsigned band waiting for their bus back to Surrey. The speakers sound like they're sinking and the stylists forgot the hair gel. Band most likely not to sell as many records as Lostprophets.

LA hip-hoppers Jurassic 5 turn up one of the most engaging performances of the day, affirming their reputation as one of the most talented and creative acts in the world of hip hop today. Slicing up their smooth beats and soul-shaking tunes with a mesmerising display of beat-scratching rhythms, beatmasters Cut Chemist and DJ Nu Mark literally had every DJ in the arena flawed with their improvisatory talents.

The Distillers' Brody Dalle is the Courtney who turns up. No longer the skaghead punk, Homme-loving obviously agrees with the girl. Skateboards have been replaced by
rock star shades and a new found suitability for main stage slots. There's no disputing the power in her songs and voice this afternoon and overlooking the crowd with her cool-as-ice composure she acts every bit the rock icon her last album 'Coral Fang' has made her. For her 30 minutes onstage most found it extremely difficult to tear their eyes away from her.