It is always a bit weird turning up to a festival for just one day, especially if it happens to be the middle one. Unlike everyone else at the Fest (apart from those with Day Tickets)you probably haven't been kept awake all night by stereos, weird noises and people shouting. Also chances are you are a lot cleaner. In general, you are gate crashing one of the biggest parties of the year and then going home early. It is also a bit strange, when two of the bands you came to see are not playing (WHITE STRIPES being replaced by BLACk REBEL MOTORCYLCE CLUB & THE DARKNESS being replaced by erm...no-one! thanks Reading organisers)

After a walk around and checking out what was going on in the Tents, I wandered to the Main Stage where I caught the end of CAVE IN. It would be unfair to say I saw enough of them to say more than they looked energetic. The first band I watched in their entirety was JUNIOR SENIOR. There are many words to describe how good their performance was. The word I chose was 'crap'! Not a lot of substance other than the two singles.

Thank God for THE LIBERTINES. They might have replaced their alleged, most talented member, but on today's performance they didn't seem like a band that had anyone missing. New single 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun' sounded ace and first single 'What A Waster' poignant.

THE STREETS are not a band I am too familiar with. I have seen a couple of videos on telly. Mike Skinner comes across like a stereotypical "Cockney Wide Boy" and commanded the stage well with his mix of UK Hip Hop and Reggae. They obviously reach the parts other bands don't reach judging by the girl up front of me "flashing" at Skinner - he took it as if it was an occupational hazard (I've made a mental note to myself to change occupation!)!

I had looked forward to seeing THE DOVES. I am a big fan of 'The Last Broadcast' and when they played anything from that particular album I was easily impressed. The rest of the set didn't seem quite so great but then I was a little pre-occupied by the football (my beloved West ham had lost!) The finale to their set was a cracking version of 'There Goes The Fear'

For some reason, I hadn't felt that interested in BECK. I saw him four years ago and really enjoyed him, but had not heard much of his recent output. I wasn't too sure. I needn't have worried. He is still cool and produced a consistant performance that reminded of why I actually liked the man.

They ROCK and there isn't an iota of red anywhere. Must be BLACK REBEL MOTORCYLE CLUB then. Starting with 'Red Eyes And Tears' and then running an immaculate set with tracks from both their highly recommended albums I almost forgot that this was a replacement for WHITE STRIPES. BRMC then reminded me by including 'The Hardest Button To Button'. Absolutely fantastic! This is what it's all about!

Noel and Liam Gallagher probably didn't take too long to wear out their copy of the video of BLUR from this year's Reading. Damon fell off stage during 'Beetlebum' and I just imagine news of this would have amused the Oasis Boys big style. Even nearly 10 years after the height of 'Britpop' it is difficult to mention one without the other but I must say that I am much more of a fan of Damon et al.Singalongs such as 'Girls And Boys' and 'Out Of Time' went down well, but the faster ones like 'Pop Scene', 'Crazybeat' and 'Song 2' seemed to lack lustre. It was really apparant that Graham Coxon was not on board the good ship BLUR! I left before the encores for a bit of a wander. Just enough time to catch the end of BILLY BRAGG, who was on his usual good form. Then, it was time to leave the party. Still at least i got a good kip!

Ric Mansell