Fred Again.., Reading Festival review: A bustling mixture of heartwarming rave madness
Fred Again.. was the ideal artist to provide the music for this new world after COVID-19. His thoughtful and heartfelt lyrics talk about fear, doubt, and a strong desire to keep going, while the lively rave beats bring a much-needed feeling of happiness.
In 2021, Fred Again... rose to fame with his debut album Actual Life in the dance music scene. However, he quickly expanded his popularity beyond that, with standout performances at Glastonbury and Coachella in 2024 alongside Skrillex and Four Tet. This summer, Fred Again... has been busy playing at several European festivals, helping them set new attendance records.
The journey to the top has been quick for Fred Again.., so it's no wonder that he held on tightly to intimacy during his headline performance at Reading Festival on Saturday night. He confessed his nerves early on in what was his biggest UK show yet. The performance kicked off with him in the middle of the crowd on a floating platform for the visually stunning "Turn On The Lights Again.." The clever production made use of the speaker stacks around the arena, creating a sense of closeness between the artist and the massive audience.
The connection between the performers and the audience was clearly displayed during the show. Sarah Benaim's emotional poem "Explaining My Depression To My Mother: A Conversation" was transformed into a dreamy moment, while Fred Again.. inspired the crowd to chant "I'll let you take a piece of me, I hope you get the peace you need" repeatedly. Other songs like the cheerful "I Adore U", and the heartfelt "Angie (I've Been Lost)" were filled with sentimental lyrics.
The deep thoughts and emotions may have initially attracted fans to Fred Again.., but the energetic crowd at Reading Festival was ready to have a good time. Fred Again.. addressed the audience, mentioning that he remembered what it was like to attend his first festival at 16. He was determined to ensure that everyone had a night to remember.
The performance relied greatly on energetic and exciting songs like “Jungle”, “Rumble”, and “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” which caused a lot of chaos in the audience. The fast-paced “Places To Be” was intense and passionate, while the fragmented “Delilah (Pull Me Out Of This)” began softly before ending the night with a spectacular and explosive breakdown filled with fireworks. A repeat of “Peace U Need” then left the audience feeling hopeful, warm, and united as they left the event.
Critics often target Fred Again.. for his music style, which heavily relies on samples. Some believe he is trying to take advantage of different cultures, while others compare him to Coldplay in the dance music world. Additionally, Fred Again.. comes from a wealthy background, with relatives who hold titles like Earl. Despite the criticisms, it's hard to deny the energy and excitement that Fred Again.. brings to his performances. His headline set at Reading Festival was a huge success, and it seems like he is on track to perform at stadiums in the future.
