Featured image: Creative Commons License by Mark Freeman
Another year, another Leeds and Reading festival in the bag. If you were there, no doubt you’re still getting over the old festival blues and crying into your sweat-ridden sleeping bag as you revisit the good memories (or lack thereof) you’ve just made.
If you weren’t there, well, you’re probably wishing you were. I remember my first Leeds fest back in 2011. I didn’t recover until… well, I’m still recovering. But I had a blast. Nowadays, though, I like to sit at home and think about guitars. What Reading/Leeds guitars looked the nicest? Which festival guitars really made their mark? Did Dave play guitar at Reading? Probably not. The point is, I’m pretty sad.
But you know what, why not indulge me and take a look at this little guide to the guitars of Reading and Leeds festival 2022!
Creative Commons License by Stuart Sevastos
The Arctic Monkeys
First up it’s the legendary Alex Turner and his ultra-classy twiddlers.
He sported his awesome Ovation Viper for some songs, a very unique, vintage-style guitar which has its roots in the ‘80s, and which you don’t see around much anymore. A real humdinger, it’s just one of the beauties he brings onstage these days.
There was also his lovely Gretsch 6128T-1962 Duo Jet on display, which has become an iconic part of his getup, along with suave suits and snazzy shades. Certainly a far cry now from the angsty jean-clad teenager he once was!
On top of that, he brought his beloved Vox Teardrop for a ride to complete the show.
Shop now | Gretsch G6131T-62 Vintage Select62 Jet Bigsby
Shop now | Vox Mark 3 Mini Electric Guitar
Ed Sheeran/BMTH
A duo no one ever thought they needed. But a duo which, nonetheless, has become the most talked about collaboration between the worlds of rock and metal since time immemorial.
Perhaps this is the start of a new era, where metalheads and pop lovers can unite as one, and sail on the ship of sonic seduction into a brighter future.
I digress, the guitar used by our beloved Ed was the humble, bespoke PRS Hollowbody, which has a tone versatile enough for both metal and pop. Looks pretty too.
Shop now | PRS SE Hollowbody II
The 1975
Creative Commons License by Kim Erlandsen
Weirdly, one of the heavier bands on the roster (but still really not heavy), and I never thought I’d say that!
In the absence of Rage Against the Machine at Reading and Leeds Festival, there actually weren’t a lot of guitar-driven bands.
The 1975 stepped in as a replacement for the iconic American rockers.
However, The 1975 didn’t disappoint, with their guitarist Matthew Healy bringing his Pre-CBS red Strat – a real nice, high-end Fender with tonnes of character.
Enter Shikari
Creative Commons License by Kmeron
A long-running crowd favourite. Do Enter Shikari hold the record for most appearances at Leeds and Reading yet? If not, they must be close! Known for their eclectic genre-bending skills and super energetic live shows, Enter Shikari have more than made their mark on the world of music.
This year we saw a stunning Fender American Ultra Telecaster on display as Shikari ripped through their crowd-pleasing set at breakneck speed. Again, this beauty is a workhorse capable of handling the eclectic style of a band like Shikari.
Shop now | Fender American Ultra Telecaster RW
Creative Commons License by Drew de F Fawkes
All Time Low
Another of the few rock bands playing at Leeds and Reading 2022 was All Time Low.
A staple of the American rock world, these guys have been around since 2003 – they’re veterans of the scene.
As you can imagine, their guitarist uses a very rock ‘n’ roll guitar – the American Pro II Telecaster, with two beefy humbuckers to bring those riffs to life.
Shop now | Fender American Pro II Telecaster Deluxe RW
Creative Commons License by Drew de F Fawkes
The Lathums
Ahh just like the good old days, where indie bands swarmed Leeds and Reading like angsty insects. The Lathums are flying the flag for indie music in the modern day, and also Fender!
There was a beautiful ’72 Thinline Tele on show, belting out those funky indie riffs like there was no tomorrow.
Shop now | Fender American Original 60s Tele Thinline MN
Wargasm
Definitely one of the coolest acts going. Wargasm have an eye-catching name, and an even more eye-catching show.
They brought their dark, at times punky, electronic sound to the stage for some absolute carnage!
Unsurprisingly, a very metal Jackson RR24 Rhoads, complete with lightning crackle finish, was spotted belting out some seriously chunky riffs.
Shop now | Jackson RR24 Rhoads
Find out more
So there you have it. Some of the funkiest, flashiest, and most flawless Reading and Leeds guitars. I don’t know about you, but they’ve certainly piqued my interest in guitar again, and now my wallet’s getting a bit itchy.
We’ve been through some of the mainstay guitars which appeared at Reading and Leeds, but what about the others? Check some more out below:
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