Reading Festival 2013

Yesterday I got back from an incredible weekend at Reading Festival. For those of you that didn't know, Reading Festival is a music fesitval held every year in, you guessed it, Reading! They are consistent in always having brilliant artists and an amazing atmosphere. This was my first time and I was so excited to go. Although I have been to a couple of festivals in the past, I'm not an overly experience festival go-er. This was this year's line-up:

I have to say it was one of the best weekends I've ever had. I absolutely love music, especially live music. I've been to a countless number of concerts so a weekend full of live music was just ideal for me. 

We got there on the Thursday evening and met a nice group of lads where we had pitched our tent. Soon enough the cans of cider were out and I was being handed shots of absinthe around a camp fire! Then before I knew it I was outside an oxygen bar! It was a pretty great first night. Then Friday came and the music kicked in! Here are just a few of my music highlights from Friday:

 Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

They were one of my favourite bands when I was younger, so having the chance to see them live was great. They absolutely killed it and although the whole set was amazing, this song was one of my favourites!

Frank Turner - The Way I Tend To Be

I hadn't heard much of Frank Turner before aside from a few of his songs, but he really impressed me. He sounded great live, and this song was great to sing along to. Another song I love from his is Photosynthesis which is definitely worth a listen!

Kodaline - Brand New Day

Kodaline are a band I am absolutely loving at the moment and I was so happy to see them live. They sounded great and my friend and I managed to realise that they are all very attractive, which was a small added bonus.

There are so many more highlights from Friday, but I don't want to bore you with too many! 

Saturday was just as good, if not better than Friday! Although I was starting to show small signs of wear and tear (bad throat, stiff legs etc) that still did not stop me from dancing until my feet like they would fall off! Some highlights were:

Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

This is another band I'm loving at the moment. This song was absolutely incredible live. The whole audience erupted and the atmosphere was indescribable. The video really does not do it justice. 

Chase & Status - Count On Me

I absolutely love Chase & Status, especially on a night out! This song wasn't my favourite but it was the best one I could find. Their whole set had the audience going insane, and the vibe was great. 

Another highlight was of course Eminem. Sadly there are no videos as he refused for the footage to be televised - a rule he has for some reason. He isn't an artist I love, apart from his most iconic songs, but he owned the stage. I wouldn't have paid to see just him, but so glad I took the opportunity to see him.

Sunday's highlights:

Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light It Up)

I loved Fall Out Boy when I was younger, and still do love them. This song was amazing live, and they are definitely one of the best bands I've seen live. Once again, the video does not do it justice. 

Biffy Clyro - Mountains

There are honestly no words to describe this. I'm a big Biffy Clyro fan, and this was their closing song and it was just incredible. This is one of my favourite songs by them and when this came on I was totally lost in the moment. 

There are so many more bands/songs I could mention, but you can check out more for yourself on YouTube or the BBC Radio 1 website if you want to.

I would recommend this festival, or any others to anyone. They are a fantastic experience. 

HOWEVER, if you are a complainer, don't bother! You will not shower, you will be forced to use horrendous smelling toilets with no toilet paper, you will be hungover (if you are a drinker), you will be dirty/muddy and you WILL have beer/cider/piss land on you. You will also likely be crushed in the crowds and will need a couple of days to recover afterwards. If you are not prepared for all of that and more (your feet will hurt - a lot) then I would say that it is not for you. 

It was one of the best experiences of my life to date, although I write this whilst sporting a bad cold/cough, covered in bruises and feeling very tired and worse for wear! It was all 100% worth it though and I would do it all again a hundred times over. I am already saving for my ticket for next year. If you went, or have been to festivals in the past, or any others this Summer, please leave a comment (or tweet me @BlitheTalks) telling me about it! I'd love to hear your stories. 

Flirting: What NOT To Do!

I don't pride myself on my ability to flirt. In fact, I would never usually approach someone I liked the look of, or 'make a move' on a guy. However, sometimes when under the influence of a few drinks this can change slightly.

I was on a night out with friends a few weeks ago, and may have had one too many cocktails. I was in a club when the photographer caught my eye, and me being a bit of a mess decided to approach him. I'm not the best flirter when I'm sober, but when under the influence it can just be one big cringing mess. I started off by asking if he had a girlfriend and he replied 'no', and then I followed by asking him his age and then telling him mine. The next thing I said is a bit of a blur, but he replied with saying that he had to get back to work, so it obviously didn't impress him. The night didn't end there. I then decided it would be appropriate to approach one of the bar staff, and tell him about my interest in the photographer. This proceeded with having an excellent chat about University and life with a lovely man serving jager bombs, and then he had me write down my name and number for the photographer. I also gave my number to a lovely woman who informed me that she would make sure that he text me. Needless to say I never received a call/text from said photographer, but I don't blame him. I became the type of person I usually avoid on nights out. If a man came up to me and did what I did, I most certainly wouldn't have saved their number in my phone!! Also, due to drinking a lot and it being the middle of summer, I was most likely sporting sweaty forehead, frizzy hair, smudged make-up and possibly a bit of dribble!

I have seen the same photographer every time I have been to the same club since, which usually results in awkward eye contact and avoiding him. Sadly, it is one of my favourite places to go on a night out, so the awkwardness will have to continue. Luckily, I'm only home from the Summer and then I go back to University, so at least I won't have to see him for another nine months!

So basically, when you see somebody you want to approach, do not start with asking if they have a girl/boyfriend and being so 'in your face' with the fact that you fancy them. Looking back, I should have played it a little 'cooler'. Also then, do not hand your number to some of the other staff for a last glimmer of hope. Doing said things results in you waking up feeling a bit stupid because you were rejected and cringing at your actions from the night before. I think I'll save the flirting for sober days from now on!