The Reading Leeds 2009 Music Festival wrapped up on Sunday, but the buzz about the performances from the likes of Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, Kaiser Chiefs, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and many other indie rock heavyweights, is still lighting up the music blogs and social networks.

The popular three-day fest - commonly referred to as The Reading Fest - is one of the biggest outdoor music events in all of Europe, and regularly sells out only days after tickets are made available for purchase. In fact, the organizers are already promoting the 2010 festival.

Other notable artists and bands who performed at Reading 2009 include Bloc Party, Maximo Park, Kaiser Chiefs, New Found Glory, Placebo, Ian Brown, The Prodigy, Friendly Fires, The Rakes, Billy Talent, The Virgins, Crystal Castles, White Lies and dozens more.

The following are video and song highlights from the Reading Festival 2009:


In the video above, Radiohead briefly covers the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's track "Maps" as an intro to "Everything In Its Right Place."

"All I Need" - Radiohead (via our friends at TheMusicSlut.com)


Arctic Monkeys performing "Crying Lightning" this past weekend at the Reading Festival. Courtesy of BBC Radio One. Folks in the UK can watch more of the Arctic Monkeys' set at Reading on the BBC website.

"Crying Lightning" - Arctic Monkeys (via IGuessImFloating.com)


Kaiser Chefs performing "Ruby" last Saturday at Reading 2009 to an enthusiastic crowd. UK fans, let's face it, are just much more energetic than fans you see at U.S. festivals; just watch the crowd in the videos if you're not convinced.

View the Reading Fest's homepage.

Labels: Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, Reading Festival

It's been a long time since we've heard anything new from the UK's smoking rockers Arctic Monkeys, so it should come as good news to fans that the band is recording a new album due out "later this year," according to their official website.

The band recently premiered four new songs at the Big Day Out Festival in New Zealand two weeks ago.

“Pretty Visitors”
“Crying Lightning”
“Dangerous Animals”
“Go-Kart”

Download a zip of the entire Wellington show.

Labels: Arctic Monkeys, Arctic Monkeys Live, Arctic Monkeys: Concerts

Arctic Monkeys, riding high on the success of their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare, and their new single "Teddy Picker" (video below), are resting up following a nearly non-stop touring schedule in 2007.

Last month, the band launched a 11-day, seven-show sold-out concert tour of the U.K. and the Netherlands. The tour extended from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15 with the final show of 2007 performed at Manchester's Apollo Theatre.

For hard-core fans, you may be interested to know that Warped Films - which has produced some wildly successful British film since 2003, including Dead Man's Shoes and This is England - was at the Apollo filming the show. The "theatrical" DVD special is expected to be released in the spring.

Warped also filmed Arctic Monkey's short film Scummy Man.

By the way, after much searching, I was able to get my hands on an exclusive and rare print (handed out at the shows in December) of the Arctic Monkey's "Christmas special" with Big Issue magazine.

The spread includes many photos of the usually shy band members and an extensive article.

"Teddy Picker" video - released Dec. 31, 2007

Teddy Picker Lyrics

They've sped up to the point where they provoke
The punchline before they have told the joke
Plenty of desperation to be seen
Staring at the television screen

They've sped up to the point where they provoke
You to tell the f**king punchline before you have told the joke
Sorry sunshine it doesn't exist
It wasn't in the top 100 list

And it's the thousandth time that it's even bolder,
Don't be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya,but you were dying for it

She saw it and she grabbed it and it wasn't what it seemed
The kids all dream of making it, whatever that means
Another variation on a theme
A tangle on the television and the magazine
D'you reckon that they do it for a joke?
D'you reckon that they make 'em take an oath?
That says "we are defenders
[Teddy Picker lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Of any poseur or professional pretender around"

When did your list replace the twist and turn
like a fist replaced a kiss, don't concern us with your bollocks
I don't want your prayers
Save it for the morning after

And it's the thousandth time and it's even bolder,
Don't be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya, but you were gagging for it

Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you're getting thicker
Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you're getting thicker

Assuming that all things are equal,
Who'd want to be men of the people
When there's people like you?

Labels: Arctic Monkeys, UK Bands