Thousands of music lovers have departed the Reading Festival site, navigating muddy terrain and puddles after a weekend marked by heavy rain and thunderstorms. The popular three-day event concluded Sunday night, featuring headlining performances from artists including Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C., and Raye.
Attendees began arriving as early as Thursday, with the festival officially kicking off on Friday. However, the weekend was significantly impacted by downpours, prompting many to don wellington boots, ponchos, and rain jackets. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for Saturday, citing risks of flooding, hail, and lightning, which led to several artists performing under torrential rain.
Despite the inclement weather, many festivalgoers maintained a positive spirit, engaging in drinking, partying, and singing throughout the event. The departure on Monday morning, however, saw many dressed in mud-stained pyjamas and wellies, with a notable number appearing to leave tents and other camping gear behind.
Some attendees resorted to unconventional methods to cope with the conditions, with one individual seen wrapping an inflatable bed around herself for warmth as she walked along the River Thames. Another was observed resting on top of a damp overnight bag. Images from the site showed discarded items such as pillows, bed sheets, and clothing that had been ruined by the mud and rain.
The challenging weather is expected to persist, with forecasts indicating further heavy rain and potential thunder in western areas of Britain on Monday. While the west may see drier conditions later in the day, the north could experience longer periods of rain overnight. Showers are predicted to continue intermittently throughout the week.
According to the Met Office's Chief Forecaster, Dan Suri, the upcoming week will be characterized by a mix of showers and longer rain spells, interspersed with drier intervals. Southeastern parts of the UK are anticipated to have the best of the weather, with occasional warm sunshine. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain close to the average for early September, with mild overnight conditions in many areas.
This year marked the 55th anniversary of the Reading Festival. The musical lineup included performances from Charli XCX, who opened the festival on Friday night shortly after the release of her new album, 'Music, Fashion, Film'. Skepta also performed on the opening night, alongside Fontaines D.C. Saturday's performances featured Dave, Raye, Gunna, and Jade. The festival's closing night was headlined by Florence + The Machine, with additional sets from Chase & Status, kneecap, and Loyle Carner. British singer Lola Young made a surprise appearance, drawing a strong reaction from the crowd.
