Noise Concerns Over Reading Festival's Music Extension
Festival Republic's application to extend music on the main stage to a fourth day has raised concerns among local residents.
Reading Festival's organisers are set to learn the outcome of their application to extend music on the main stage to a fourth day, despite objections from local residents.
The festival, which typically attracts over 100,000 people during the August bank holiday weekend, wants to allow music on its main stage on Thursdays from 17:00 BST until midnight. However, associations representing hundreds of residents oppose the change due to concerns over potential disruption and increased noise affecting those living nearby.
Any change to the festival's event licence, to be decided by Reading Borough Council's licensing applications sub-committee, would come into effect from 2027. Traditionally, Wednesdays and Thursdays have been seen as warm-up days, on which people with camping tickets can arrive before the festival starts on Friday.
The festival will feature headliners such as Charli XCX, rapper Dave, and Chase & Status, who will also perform at the sister event in Leeds later this month.
Elisa Miles, chair of the Warren & District Residents Association (WADRA), stated that her association is "not opposed" to the festival in general and has "worked constructively" with Festival Republic. However, she expressed concerns that music being performed on Thursdays would disrupt residents' sleep on a working night.
"Loud amplified music late into the evening will disrupt sleep for those who have no choice but to remain at home," she added.
Malcolm Pemble, from the Caversham and District Residents Association (CADRA), also voiced concerns, stating that residents could be afflicted by the "unfair" noise.
In its application, Festival Republic claimed that an assessment had found that live music on Thursdays would not "adversely impact" those nearby. The organisation also argued that providing live music on Thursdays would "provide a focus for ticket holders (especially those under 18) to be entertained throughout the evening, rather than being left to congregate in the campsites or less supervised areas."
## Noise Concerns and Festival Organisers' Response
The decision on whether to allow music on the main stage for a fourth day will be made by Reading Borough Council's licensing applications sub-committee. The outcome of this decision will determine whether the festival's event licence will be changed, with any changes coming into effect from 2027.
## Festival Lineup and Schedule
The festival will feature a range of headliners, including Charli XCX, rapper Dave, and Chase & Status. The event will take place later this month, with the sister event in Leeds also featuring the same headliners.
## Conclusion
The outcome of Festival Republic's application to extend music on the main stage to a fourth day remains uncertain. While the festival organisers argue that the change will not adversely impact nearby residents, local associations have expressed concerns over potential disruption and increased noise. The decision on whether to allow music on the main stage for a fourth day will be made by Reading Borough Council's licensing applications sub-committee, with any changes coming into effect from 2027.
