Kendrick Lamar gives a headliner performance at Reading 2015

There are few words fit for Kendrick Lamar. A showman and a story teller, his main stage set at Reading Festival - second down the bill - already contains every single poster-topping component; this is a headliner performance. Affairs start out heavily weighted towards ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city,’ Kendrick flipping verses of ‘Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe’ out into extended unfurling freestyles, and letting ‘Poetic Justice’ be picked up for a moment, and carried entirely by a euphoric crowd.

Bizarrely, his audience soon breaks out into football chants of “Kendrick Lamar,” roughly to the tune of ‘Seven Nation Army,’ and though it’s an original reaction, as reactions go, it’s taken completely in stride. After a pocket of quiet in the shape of ‘Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst,’ third album cuts ‘i,’ ‘Alright’ and ‘King Kunta’ burst out in quick-fire succession. All the while Kendrick Lamar paces the stage, grinning. He’s not only a commanding artist, he’s a larger than life member of his own crowd.

“Do you remember a project called ‘Section 80’ Kendrick asks, after yet more football chants bring him back out on stage again, referring back to his debut. Frenzied roars answer the question, and ‘A.D.H.D’ closes things off with jubilant aplomb in a set that goes full circle. Take note - Kendrick Lamar will be headlining festivals within 12 months.