Spring King meet pits and all-out fandom at Reading 2015

There have been bigger breakthrough moments at this year’s Reading. Bring Me The Horizon more than lived up to potential-headliner status. Foals, in their own secretive way, did the same at the last minute. But Spring King’s sudden rise at this festival is unexpected.

For years this group have been playing industry-heavy, huddled whisper gigs where it’s about impressing the right people. Static audiences are standard. Here, it’s the complete opposite. Something’s clicked, and all of a sudden Spring King are Reading gems.

“It’s a dream come true,” says Tarek Musa from his drumkit, exhausted after a round of pit-inducing songs. “Me and Pete started this band and we couldn’t find a drummer, so I did it.” Without pause, someone in the crowd shouts: “I’ll be your drummer!” The demand for this band has skyrocketed.

It’s not the most sizeable crowd in the Festival Republic tent. But everyone here is in attendance for a reason. The band’s go-to mascot, Pete’s Dad (‘Saxophone Dad’) makes a welcome appearance, greeted by chants of “Steve-o!”. Musa looks flabbergasted, every member of the band bouncing off energy from the crowd. It’s a watershed moment for a group who deserve it more than most. Reading Festival remains a unique chance to see where a band really is and where the enthusiasm lies - right now it’s clear the momentum is on Spring King’s side.