Disruption concerns over Reading Festival’s music extension

Reading Festival’s organisers are set to learn if their application to allow music on their main stage for a fourth day will be allowed despite residents’ objections.

More than 100,000 people typically attend the August bank holiday weekend event and Festival Republic wants to allow music on its main stage on Thursdays from 17:00 BST until midnight.

But associations representing hundreds of residents oppose the change 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 later, 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.

Charli XCX, rapper Dave and Chase & Status will headline the festival – and its sister event in Leeds – later this month.

Elisa Miles, chair of the Warren & District Residents Association (WADRA), said it is “not opposed” to the festival in general and that it has “worked constructively” with Festival Republic.

“Through this long-standing partnership, we have helped them better understand the impact the festival has on nearby residents and have worked together to develop practical solutions,” she said.

But she said 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.