Bearded Do Reading Festival - Part 2

We were particularly excited about fantastical folk troupe Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and they didn't disappoint. Frontman Alex Ebert is one of the most exciting and endearing artists of the modern day, and the maniac messiah treated us to a spectacular set full of smiles, sentiment and beautiful songs. Unsurprisingly, 'Home' was a (perhaps the) festival highlight.

We caught a little of The Kills too, and were pleasantly surprised; it's hard to put a finger on exactly what makes them great - perhaps the pent-up aggressive performance, lo-fi but full-sounding blues rock, or the frequent unnerving lyrical repetitions (which can't help but triumph in a festival situation) – but regardless, they weren't one bit bad. Then onto anti-everything, uber-liberal punk hero Leftover Crack, who had us smiling from ear to ear – we desperately needed a good dose of brutal yet all-embracing punk rock, which the 'Crack hurled at us in abundance; a truly refreshing break from all things indie.

After an awe-inspiring set from seedy common people Pulp it was back to the Lock Up for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who's light-hearted ska punk was a satisfying end to the day. The band performed songs old and new, most notably from chart-friendly album A Jackknife To a Swan. One of the most endearing live aspects of the band is on-stage dancer Ben Carr, whose presence is unbelievably advantageous in translating the band's energy from stage to audience.

Our final day was mostly one of guilty adolescent pleasures, and consequently we didn't see many independent bands. We did catch Bedouin Soundclash who, aside from the obvious, were entirely average, and prolific punk poet Frank Turner, whose set we firmly agreed was probably the best of the weekend. Turner's consistent excellence throughout his recorded material is expressed live as one of the most feel-good, inclusive and unifying experiences we've ever seen. Sing-a-long anthems 'I Still Believe' and 'Photosynthesis' were honest in delivery with positivity and defiance in abundance, exclusively defining the festival experience.

For three days, Reading Festival brings some of the most renowned and respected names in contemporary music together in one place, optimising the potential for multiple emotive connections between audiences and the artists they choose to represent them. It allows tens of thousands of people direct contact with the artists they adore in an other-worldly environment that sees people of all backgrounds and identities socialising and looking out for each other as a result of their shared artistic admirations.

All in all, money well spent, actually.