Music

6 Acts That Kept Guitars Alive at Reading Festival

GUITARS

REIGNED SUPREME

AT THIS YEAR’S

READING FESTIVAL

by Ben Jolley

Reading & Leeds has a long and storied history when it comes to guitar music, and that legacy stayed true throughout this year’s edition. 

Here are the six best artists and bands MARVIN saw at Reading 2026

Fontaines D.C.

Despite being half an hour late due to technical issues, Fontaines D.C. received a hero’s welcome when the band stepped onto the main stage as Friday night headliners. With the majority of the audience wearing the Irish group’s t-shirts, and a UK arena tour presale teased on screen, the delay was quickly forgotten. After dedicating a poignant ‘Favourite’ to their late manager – whose name is tattooed on frontman Grian Chatten’s knuckles – ‘In The Modern World’ was equally moving. Following rapturously-received set closer ‘Starburster’, the last image on screen – a close-up of a guitar with ‘Trevor Forever’ written down the side of it – left lumps in throats. 

Geese 

Walking out to videos of the best of UK and New York culture, chants of ‘Geese, Geese, Geese’ erupted ahead of the New Yorkers’ arrival. It’s safe to say the hype around Cameron Winter and co is justified. Airing fan favourites from their breakthrough 2025 album ‘Getting Killed’, the energy in the packed Gallery tent changed from song to song: from moshpits for the heavier moments to people on shoulders and mass singalongs elsewhere. 

Sombr

Performing with a full band, global sensation Sombr’s deliriously catchy hits sounded far heavier live thanks to the loud guitar riffs and drums. Arriving in an ambulance, and with Slayyyter by his side for some pre-show press-ups, he was greeted by one of the weekend’s biggest crowds. Launching into undeniable anthems like ‘we never dated’ and ‘Homewrecker’, he later made his way round the thousands-strong audience during an epic rendition of ‘back to friends’. It’s safe to say his awestruck fans at the barriers had their dreams come true. By the time he closed with ‘12 to 12’, there was no denying his star quality. 

Royal Blood

Returning to Reading for a packed secret set ahead of the release of their new record, thousands of head-bangers congregated in the huge Gallery big-top tent in time for Royal Blood. Instantly, the duo reminded everyone why they are such a formidable force. The pounding drums and crunchy riffs of ‘Little Monster’ and ‘Lights Out’ are utterly ferocious when played live, while ‘Trouble Coming’ was yet another reminder of how many rock anthems they have. After recalling the great times they’ve had when previously playing the festival, an epic ‘Figure It Out’ brought things to a close.

Keo

Despite a technical mishap, Keo quickly made up for lost time as second song ‘That’s Me’ has the large crowd letting loose. Sporting shades and a beanie, Finn Keogh played the rockstar frontman well, especially as he strolled along the front row near the set’s close. Fan favourite ‘Torn’ was a huge moment, and teased the promise of their upcoming debut album, ‘Put A Smile On For Me’, which lands in late September. 

Tooth

Chants of ‘Tooth Tooth Tooth’ rang out from the newly-covered Canopy stage as the first band of the festival kicked off with their grunge-tinged breakout single ‘Restless In Bloom’. A bold opening but the promising group continued to raise the energy. Considering British indie icon Jamie T was performing on the main stage at the same time, the dedication they deservedly received marked them as the next British band to break out. Indeed, their upcoming single ‘Take Me As I Am’ is made for huge fields and far bigger stages than this one.