There was summertime sadness in store for some of Lana del Rey’s fans, who branded her Reading Festival set “underwhelming” and “mediocre” – and to add insult to injury, the American songstress took to the stage late.
Although the several-minute delay wasn’t major, it irritated partygoers who’d been hoping to catch the set in its entirety – and the festival’s organisers issued an apology for being forced to pull the plug on last night’s performance. Taking to social media, they explained: “Due to an error by the production team we accidentally cut Lana Del Rey’s incredible set short by five minutes. We apologise unreservedly to Lana and her fans.”
However, fans hadn’t let Lana off the hook despite the apology, with one blasting: “Lana Del Rey was disappointing. A few things were just off. Being late meaning she got cut off is avoidable. It’s not the first time either, so Lana please learn.” The fan also had a sound quality gripe, complaining: “The sound from the stage behind drowned her out. Reading Festival, please don’t clash a singer with techno.”
A second exclaimed: “Most underwhelming show from Reading so far. Seems even her fans are disappointed.” Another listener chimed in to add: “That was super underwhelming and tacky.. Sorry. Not performing her whole set because she was late and getting kicked off the stage, again.”
The fan added: “Her managers need to do something about it. Not fair for the fans at all who spend their entire day outside waiting for her.” However, not everyone slammed the Summertime Sadness singer, with one defending: “Lana’s set at Reading being delayed and cut short was due to the Production team’s mistakes and NOT Lana.”
It was alleged that aside from Lana’s punctuality, her set was still being built at a time when she should already have taken to the stage.
The fan fumed that her idol “deserves the biggest apology” – and Reading Festival did issue one.
However, the jury was still out for some on the performance, which could have earned her around £1 million last night.
A more popular female performer earlier in the day was RAYE, the breakout artist who’d won big at the BRIT Awards months earlier.
Delighted to be on the main stage after rising from virtual obscurity and receiving endorsements from the likes of Rod Stewart, she exclaimed: “You know what? Listen guys, I’ve done it!”
Recalling her fond memories of being at the festival as a spectator pre-fame, she told the crowd: “I came to Reading & Leeds when I was 16 when I finished my GCSEs, I was in the dance tent living my life…”
Fast forwarding to the present day, she added: “I had a dream, and look at me now, it’s all possible!”
Meanwhile, fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Liam Gallagher, who is headlining the main stage this evening to close the festival.
He’ll be performing the entire debut Oasis album of 1994, ‘Definitely Maybe’ to celebrate its 30th anniversary this month – and the excitement has been fuelled further by news that Oasis will soon be reforming, despite Liam’s 15-year feud with brother Noel.