Reading and Leeds festival 2008

The crowd get in the mood for a weekend of excess by watching the Fratellis play the main stage on day one of the Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, who played the biggest festival set of their career at Reading on day one. They were second only to the Killers on the main stage Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

After playing smaller tents in previous years, Dizzee Rascal finally graduated to the main stage at Reading and knocked the crowd out with a bass-heavy afternoon slot on day one Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

Editors took their gloomy rock to the main stage. What we want to know is who goes to a festival with a Guitar Hero flag? Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Some fans were far too lazy to walk to watch their favourite bands play Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

Ryan Jarman of local heroes the Cribs thrilled the Leeds crowd with a passionate set on day one Photograph: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage.com/Getty

Pete Doherty managed to keep things together long enough to bring his elegantly shambolic Babyshambles to both Reading and Leeds. No reports that they geed up the crowd to create a whirlpool effect, thank God Photograph: Retna

Rage Against the Machine confound expectations with their headline performance on the main stage at Reading by dressing as Guatanamo Bay detainees for their opening song Bombtrack. Photograph: George Chin/Retna

Rage Against the Machine perform at Leeds the following night (August 23) and cause such a frenzy they are forced to ask the crowd to step back and not crush those in the front row. Is this what they call the whirlpool effect? Photograph: Retna

Carl Barat (l) and Anthony Rossomando (r) of Dirty Pretty Things perform live onstage on day two of the Reading festival Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

Jon Fratelli (l) and Mince Fratelli (r) of - yep, you guessed it - the Fratellis perform onstage at the Reading festival on day one Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

Festival-goers relax on day one of the Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The crowd wearing Wellington boots (and one pair of Wellington clogs) after a rainy start to day three of the Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The crowd watching Biffy Clyro performing on the main stage on day one of the Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The crowd watching Feeder performing on the main stage on day three of the Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

We're not sure what these guys are saying but we're sure they speak for everyone who attended Reading festival 2008 Photograph: Nozu/FilmMagic.com/Getty

Neil Wilkinson (left) and Abi Fry of British Sea Power perform on day two of Reading Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Serj Tankian performs at the Leeds festival on day two Photograph: Retna

Brendan Benson (left) and Jack White of the Raconteurs perform on day two of Reading Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Seasick Steve performs live on the NME stage on day two of Reading Photograph: Louise Wilson/Getty

The Killers in typically glitzy attire as they headline day two of Reading festival Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

A view of the crowd at the Killers' closing show at Reading Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Kyle Gass (left) and Jack Black of Tenacious D warm-up for Metallica on day three of Reading Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

James Allan of Glasvegas performs on day three of the Reading festival Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Jules De Martino and Katie White of the Ting Tings on day two Reading festival Photograph: Retna

Andrew Vanwyngarden of MGMT puts on a poncho performance on day one of Reading festival Photograph: Jo Hale/Getty

James Hetfield (left) and Kirk Hammett of Metallica close the festival on day three of Reading Photograph: Yui Mok/PA