Reading is home to one of the UK's biggest music festivals, boasting an impressive lineup, including being the stage for Nirvana's last ever gig. However, there's more music in the town than its annual event.
Start north of the Thames to visit neighbouring Sonning, where David Gilmore's Hookend Studios used by Spandau Ballet, The Cure, Jamiroquai and Marillion - is. It's not far from where, Led Zeppelin's guitar hero, Jim Page now lives. And where one half of the Chemical Brothers, Tom Rowlands, went to school.
From there, head to Fox an Hound pub in Caversham, a place where, as the Nerk Twins, Beatles legends, John Lennon and Paul McCartney played.
Check out the Reading Festival site at Richfield Avenue as you cross Caversham Bridge to head into Reading town centre.
It wouldn't be right not to mention Plug n Play Studios on Cardiff Road, where one of the best live music nights in the history of live music, Screwball Cabaret, happened (yes, I was one of the promoters) - we invited Reading artists; reggae legend Aqua Levi, Alan McGee's prog rock signing Pure Reason Revolution and Does It Offend You, Yeah? drummer to play (or co-promote, if you're the latter).
In a later incarnation, I invited The Rifles and Pink Grease to play at club night, Die Young Stay Pretty. Anyway, enough of the self-promotion...
Head to Friar Street to Novotel, it doesn't look like much, but cult football hero, Robin Friday, drank at 16th Century pub, Ye Boars Head. This does have a musical connect, bear with... Oasis bass player, Paul McGuigan, co-wrote his biography. And rumour has it, Noel Gallagher bumped into the footballer while drinking here and was so pleased to meet one of his heroes, he bought everyone a round. It's not just Oasis who revered him, Super Furry Animals dedicate their track The Man Don't Give A Fuck to his memory.
Then go to the Bristol and West arcade, where Reading was shoegaze pioneers, Chapterhouse, Slowdive and Ride hung out in a record shop called Green something.
Walk through Market Place up London Street to go to The After Dark. The stalwart music venue, showcased little-known bands Radiohead, Shed Seven and Cast. This is also where Nirvana played a secret warm-up gig prior to their now legendary performance at the festival - it's rumoured Courtney Love was in the audience.
Then just cross London Road to the Rising Sun Arts Centre on Silver Street, where Bloc Party had their label showcase gig, in homage to the town where they first formed.
Pop over the Mad Stad, as Simon Gallup of The Cure is huge Reading FC fan, to the point where he brands his amps in the team's colours.
From there, it's a quick hop, skip and jump to Theale where one of my heroes, Kate Bush, lives.
Then it's back into town to the university, where jazz elf Jamie Cullum, Andy MacKay of Roxy Music, Martin Noble of British Sea Power and Maps all studied.
From there, you can go to Junction Studio, where Morrissey recorded his first solo album, You Are The Quarry*.
This area was reportedly stomping ground for Thin Lizzy's guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, John Skyes. The band frequently played in the town*.
As you head out of the town towards Wokingham, you're in the territory of one of Madonna's many producers, who she chews up and spits out, Stuart Price aka Jacque Du Cont is from Reading. As is fellow producer, Greenfly. Reading's punk floyd NME band, The Cooper Temple Clause. It's also where Mike "Tubular Bells" Oldfield and Ian Parton of the Go! Team* was born and bred.
* citation needed
