Review by :
Reading Festival Online - Tom Goodwyn

The Carling Tent is very rarely packed at Reading and it’s almost never packed for a band with only a few gigs under their belts and little real notoriety. But The Subways manage to have the place rammed right to the back.

Full of confidence after their victory in the new bands competition at Glastonbury and the band seem to exude a coolness and stage presence that most new acts would die for.

The set is short, sweet and packed with attitude. Front man Billy Lunn stalks the stage with an impressive swagger as does Mary-Charlotte Cooper, who’s stirring, hair shaking bass grooves whips the male population into a frenzy. Some very powerful tub-thumping from drummer Josh Morgan completes this. It also must be noted that Cooper and Lunn are partners in more than Rock'n’Roll swagger, this makes for some amazing stage chemistry and of course the possibility for this band to turn into another White Stripes, only with better drumming.

At any rate with songs like “1am”, “I Think I'm In Love” and the brilliant “Rock'n’Roll Queen” already certified classics the band frankly have the tent by the throat for their full twenty five minute set.

One of my highlights of the weekend and a band to definitely keep your eye on over the next year.

The Subways have great potential and are sure to be a huge success in 2005.

10 Out Of 10