94. The Raconteurs

21^st Century Appearances: 2008 Main Stage, 2006 NME Tent Headliner

The Defining Reading Moment: Drawing a more than respectable crowd up against Muse & Arctic Monkeys in 2006.

Though they only formed in 2005, both of The Raconteurs slots at the festival have been high up the billing, headlining the NME tent in 2006, and playing third from top on the main stage in 2008. This is the added pressure that comes with having one of the 21st century’s biggest rock stars as your lead vocalist. Luckily for all involved, having Jack White as your front man also pretty much guarantees one hell of a performance, and that’s exactly what we’ve been treated to every time The Raconteurs have rolled up. Tom Forster

Having proven a surprising adept choice of NME Headliner despite some questions about their experience and popularity in 2006, the band were given a heroes welcome when they returned two years later. The sun was blazing overhead and the considered, and creepily stilted tones, of “Steady As She Goes” and “Broken Boy Soldiers” proved perfect for talking it slow and soaking in the blues. “Solute Your Solution” provided a burst riffy energy and “Level” was as filthily addictive as we’d come to expect. David Hayter