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Five acts to see at Reading Festival 2016

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Since our move to Reading in 2012 Reading Festival has been an integral part of our summer plans is not just becouse we live 5 minutes away! After seeing some of my all time favourite artists such as Eminem, Johnny Marr, Odd Future, Kendrick Lamar, The Libertines and Bombay Bicycle Club over the years, I’ll always be grateful to the festival for giving me memories I’ll never forget.

I’m not going to recommend the headliners to you guys because it’s pretty obvious that they’ll blow your socks off even without my recommendation.

My first must see artist from this years line up definitely has to be Anderson. Paak & The Free Nationals. I first heard about Anderson. Paak when he appeared on Jonwayne’s track Green Light and I knew instantly he would be someone to watch. His voice is something like I’d never heard before and I was so happy when he had a major part to play on Dr Dre’s album Compton in 2015. His solo album Malibu came out in January this year and is a real contender for album of the year, even with releases from Chance The Rapper and Kanye West. Definitely go check out his set on the BBC Radio 1xtra stage on Saturday.

Also playing on the Saturday at Reading Festival are the three piece girl band HAIM. The three sisters shot to fame with their album Days Are Gone and have played sets at prestigious festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury as well as appearing at Reading back in 2013. They’re currently working on the follow up album to Days Are Gone and it’s definitely something I’ll be keeping an eye out for!

Kicking off the festivals festivities on Friday are The Internet. As a side project from the Odd Future collective, lead singer Syd Tha Kyd has become an artist in her own right with the help of her five other band members. Their album Ego Death, which was released last year, was recorded primarily in Syd’s basement over a three week period. The stand out track for me is Girl which features production from Kaytranada with further production coming from Tyler, The Creator and Daniel Marley on other tracks.

Another act I saw back in 2012 was The Vaccines, following the release of their album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? A memory that will stick with me forever was seeing a guy crowdsurfing in a wetsuit whilst they played their track wetsuit. Brilliant. The guys return this year with a further two albums added to their back catalogue and it’s definitely a set that won’t want to be missed!

Finally the act cannot wait to see is A$AP Rocky. Rocky is someone I’ve been listening to non stop for the last five years since he released his debut mixtape Live. Love. A$AP, and everything he’s released since has been absolute gold. His further two releases Long. Live. A$AP and At. Long. Last. A$AP have shot him to the top of the rap game and his last album has features from the likes of Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, Juicy J and even Rod Stewart. My personal favourite from the album is Jukebox Joints with Kanye and it’s slowing creeping to the top of my most played songs on iTunes. He also played the festival in 2013 and played classics such as Wild For The Night, Purple Swag and Peso. Even writing this is making feel sad I won’t be seeing Flacko this year!

Other notable artists at this years festival include Nas, Boy Better Know, The Temper Trap, Yung Lean and Metro Boomin.

For all of you going this year, have fun and be safe!

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Reading Labour MPs Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill

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Terminally-Ill-Adults-Bill

A deeply emotional and historic vote took place this week. The House of Commons approved the Terminally Ill Adults Bill—law that proposes to grant terminally ill persons under English and Welsh jurisdiction the right to have assisted death by a medical practitioner if it should pass the House of Lords.

The bill passed with a thin majority of 314 votes to 291 and sparked national debates brimming with saxophonic emotion. It was a free vote; that is, members of Parliament could vote according to conscience, and the party was not expected to bind them. The bill secured the support of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer but apparently was rejected by Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

All three of Reading’s Labour MPs, Matt Rodda (Reading Central), Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire), and Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley), voted against the bill. They may well have objections rooted in such concerns as the safeguarding of vulnerable people, possible pressure being put on those with life-limiting conditions, and just the sheer moral gravity of a change of that kind.

For many people in Reading and elsewhere, this bill goes well beyond politics. It arises out of dignity, choice, and compassion for the hardest moment. Respect goes to those who voted with care and conviction; passing of this bill has been another step toward giving people in unbearable suffering the freedom to choose how and when their life ends-on their terms, with support, been one of the options, and without pain. It’s a difficult subject to deal with, but at its basic level, one of a few simple human desires is to die with dignity.

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Reading Buses Fares to Rise from 2nd June as Government Cuts Funding

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Reading buses

From Sunday 2 June, fare adjustments will take effect across the Reading Buses network. Updated pricing details are outlined below.

These changes have been introduced in response to rising operational costs, including higher employer National Insurance contributions and changes in government support. For most passengers, the fare increase will be minimal. In many cases, customers can avoid the higher fares by choosing multi-journey, weekly, or season tickets.

Government Fare Cap

On routes where single fares exceed £3, prices will continue to be capped at £3 as part of the UK Government’s Help for Households initiative.

Changes to Reading All-Bus Tickets

Government funding that previously subsidised the Reading All-Bus day ticket ended in March. As a result of this and increasing costs, some All-Bus ticket prices have been raised.


Updated Fare Information

Single Fares within Reading
Single journey fares will increase by 10p.

simplyReading Day Tickets

  • Adult: £4.50 via the app or contactless tap on, tap off; £5 if purchased from the driver
  • Boost (for young people): £4, available both via the app and from the driver
  • Group ticket (valid for up to 4 people):
    • £8 during off-peak hours (after 9.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays)
    • £10 during peak hours (before 9.30am on weekdays)
    • Available on the app and from the driver

Reading All-Bus Tickets
Valid for travel on Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Carousel Buses, and Thames Travel within the simplyReading zone.

  • Adult: £4.90 via the app or tap on, tap off; £5.40 from the driver,
    (Currently, it costs £4 on the app and £4.50 on the bus)
  • Young person (under 18): £4.20 (currently £3 if bought on the app)
  • Group ticket: £8.80 off-peak / £10.80 peak

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Opinion: Reading’s RingGo-Only Parking System Is Ridiculous, Not Revolutionary

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Reading Borough Council’s recent move to scrap cash and card payments for parking in favour of RingGo-only app payments isn’t just inconvenient — it’s verging on the ridiculous.

Across the town, parking machines have been “covered” — not with proper signage or professional notices — but with what look like black bin bags and hastily stuck-on paper notes held in place with bits of sellotape. These make-do signs read: “This machine is only accepting RingGo payments. Location code…” as if that explains everything.

Frankly, it’s comical — if not insulting. This slapdash presentation makes a mockery of a serious change that impacts thousands of residents, workers, and visitors.

The council claims the shift will save money, cutting annual costs from £44,000 to a leaner £29,000 by removing cash collection and maintenance fees. But what about the cost to the public?

Not everyone owns a smartphone. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps or calling an automated line to pay for a simple parking space. This move sidelines the elderly, the less tech-savvy, and anyone without reliable access to mobile data and tourists unfamiliar with the app.

Worse still, these makeshift signs — flimsy bits of paper stuck to bin bags — give the impression of a temporary issue, not a carefully considered, permanent change. It’s a poor substitute for clear communication and thoughtful planning.

Yes, the council wants to modernise and save money. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of accessibility and common sense. Reading deserves a parking system that works for everyone — not just those who have the right app and enough battery.

If the council insists on digital-first, it must still provide physical, well-marked options and a respectful transition. Bin bags and sellotape won’t cut it.

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