Top gigs to see in Reading in August

Music in Reading will always be synonymous with the legendary Reading Festival, with a history spanning 40 years, it’s seen pretty much every massive rock, hip-hop, dance, and indie act you can imagine. However, the Festival isn’t the only exclusive music event in Reading this month, there are countless gigs that are worth your attention. There are new bands coming up all the time to excite you, and a few nationally touring artists playing our town’s bigger venues, there’s never an excuse to say there’s nothing to see in Reading.

It’s worth mentioning that whittling the list down just to a few gigs we’d would recommend each month, is near impossible, and for each show we mention, there are a ton more going on at any time, but really this can only be a good thing!

BBC Introducing: Handstand Parade / Jacob Holroyd

Purple Turtle, Wednesday 8 August, free entry

Handstand Parade have been turning heads recently with their indie rock tunes that will worm their way into your head, listen out for ‘Poolside’ and ‘Want More’. Pop sensibilities mixed with an exciting edge will leave you wanting more (pun intended). Support comes from Reading’s own ex-Haize front-man, Jacob Holroyd, with songs like ‘Gold Strings’, and ‘Maybe I’ that showcase an incredible maturity to is songwriting, as well as this being his first solo show in Reading, makes this not one to miss.

Lucia / Citrus / Drug Store Romeos

Purple Turtle, Thursday 9 August, free entry

A night of brilliant alt rock, hazy guitars, ear worm melodies, and rhythm sections to become obsessed with lies ahead at Heavy Pop’s night at Purple Turtle. Headlined by Lucia, a band that has something to prove, with crunchy guitars, interwoven with reverb soaked sections, their live show in Reading is highly anticipated. Tracks like ‘Melted Ice Cream’, and ‘When I Think of You’ are already causing waves across the country, and are sure to win you over too. Support comes from indie rock band Citrus, and the jazzy wooziness of Drug Store Romeos.

The Surfin’ Lungs

The Rising Sun Arts Centre, Saturday 18 August, book tickets

Surf-punks, The Surfin’ Lungs, return to Reading to perfectly complement the incredible weather we’ve been having. Blending classic surf music of the 60s, with a punk attitude, they will blow you away with their incendiary riffs, and dance-able rhythms. They are supported by the ‘Cramps-esque’, The Go-Go Cult, and Reading based punks The Country Moans, for a show that is sure to remember.

BBC Introducing: Kill Committee

Purple Turtle, Wednesday 22 August, free entry

Reading’s very own Kill Committee play Purple Turtle on the back of their album ‘The Things We Nearly Saw’, which was released in March this year. Fans of Interpol and Editors will love Kill Committee’s unique atmospheric alt rock tunes to lose yourself to. With their live show being renowned for being one of the best in Reading, this is definitely a local band worth your attention.

Reading Festival

Little John’s Farm, Richfield Avenue, Friday 24 – Sunday 26 August, book tickets

It’d be criminal not to mention the biggest yearly event in Reading on this list; Reading Festival sees gig goers from across the country coming down to Little John’s Farm for a weekend of music, mayhem, and lasting memories. This year’s event features arguably the most diverse line up in its history with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Kendrick Lamar and Kings of Leon headlining. Across the other stages highlights include the much hyped, and talented, hip-hop boy band Brockhampton, indie rockers Wolf Alice, drum and bass legends Pendulum, alongside up and coming acts such as Rex Orange County, The Magic Gang, Spring King, Noname, Hinds, and a ton more, the list could go on.

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