21^st Century Appearances: 2005 Main Stage, 2001 Main Stage (As Iggy Pop)

The Defining Reading Moment: 1991 Iggy Pop headlines Friday night after a blistering Sonic Youth Set

2005’s Festival was blessed by the spectacle and raw power of Iggy & The Stooges. This classic set consisted of The Stooges’ abrasive dirty Rock n Roll noise setting the backdrop for Iggy’s contortive and erratic behaviour. Self harm, antagonizing security, loud and filthy, The Stooges were in their 60’s and put every other act to shame. They came, they searched, and for one all too brief moment…they destroyed.

They gave Reading Festival a true slice of unadulterated rock n roll, of the dirtiest and most astonishing kind, with a spectacular grace, vulgarity and the most disgraceful aging the rock world has ever seen. A true moment, a true legend, and true testament to why The Stooges are one of the greatest punk rock acts to have ever come to existence. 40 years ago The Stooges begat punk, 2005‘s festival only confirmed their punk kingship. Adam Grylls