Faith No More

21st Century Appearances: 2009 NME Stage Headliner

The Defining Reading Moment: Delivering an energy packed hit laden set with a high emphasis on crowd satisfaction and engagement, while Kings Of Leon were busy moaning at their audience on the main stage.

Faith No More’s NME/Radio One Stage headline slot was something of a coup for Reading Festival in 2009. The freshly reunited monsters of alternative rock had been announced earlier in the year as Download Festival’s ace in the hole, a UK festival exclusive to headline their Friday main stage where they went down a storm in June. However, on the Thursday of Download, before Mike could even utter ‘Surprise! You’re dead!’ it was officially announced on Reading’s website that the Download exclusive main stagers would be Reading’s plundered second stagers.

Though on a smaller stage than their show at Download the tent topped atmosphere was perfect for the band. They actually drew a comparatively small crowd for a second stage bill topper at Reading playing opposite The Kings of Leon on the main but this only meant the biggest Faith No More faithful were under the roof.  And while Kings of Leon were shooting themselves in the face and winding their crowd up Faith No More laid on one hell of a show.

All the biggest, baddest, funkiest songs made it into the set list, no “Epic” was missed. My personal favourite, “Be Aggressive” was played early and met by a chanting crowd in response and when light relief was needed there was always a keyboard rendition of the EastEnders theme tune to lighten an already buoyant mood. Whether Mike and co. ever get back together again for another round of festival shows remains unclear, but it’s safe to say that that Friday at Reading 2009 they proved themselves kings for the day. Adam McCartney