Who do you want to see at READING ROCK 1976?

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You are in possession of a time machine: destination 1976, location Berkshire. Which of these acts are you most excited to see? Remember you will be standing ankle-deep in discarded tinnies and it's spitting with rain.

https://en.concerts-metal.com/images/flyers/202511/1761985483--Reading-Rock-1976.webp

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Van der Graaf Generator 11
U-Roy 8
AC/DC 7
Gong 5
Phil Manzanera w/Eno et al 5
Eddie and the Hot Rods 3
Mighty Diamonds 3
Ted Nugent 2
Mallard 1
Rory Gallagher 1
A.F.T. 1
Brand X 0
Back Door 0
Band Called 'O' 0
Sassafras 0
The Enid 0
Howard Bragen 0
Black Oak Arkansas 0
Supercharge 0
Manfred Mann's Earth Band 0
Stallion 0
Jon Hiseman's Colosseum II 0
Sadista Sisters 0
Moon 0
Pat Travers Band 0
Roy St. John 0
Nick Pickett 0
Camel 0
Sutherland Brothers & Quiver 0


pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:18 (two weeks ago)

This alternate poster suggests Can played too, but you don't want a poll walkover so let's stick with the above

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfJk8aBE4_uptBJINTlaPrn9STp6-SFdv3i7sfbnBgttS_ZgohwVaXrog-&s=10

pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:20 (two weeks ago)

Gong

Camaraderie at Arms Length, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:20 (two weeks ago)

Probably Gong, Shamal-era and way too many congas, but probably still pretty good.

Alan Holdsworth 'sat in'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-HBg65k5lc

Maresn3st, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:29 (two weeks ago)

AC/DC

Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:29 (two weeks ago)

Man it is a toss up for me between AC/DC and Van Der Graaf Generator, though I am leaning heavy toward VDGG cuz this prime Still Life era which is my fave of theirs...AC/DC though...damn

chr1sb3singer, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:29 (two weeks ago)

Quite a lot of these are on YouTube too.

Maresn3st, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:35 (two weeks ago)

U-Roy or the Mighty Diamonds mostly but obv there's an embarrassment of riches also it wd be cool to see the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver

99 gram lychee (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:39 (two weeks ago)

if I found myself in 1976 England, I’d be trying to find a Sex Pistols gig

Illegal Algae (Boring, Maryland), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:39 (two weeks ago)

but seeing U-Roy with a crowd pf white hard rockers would be a trip too

Illegal Algae (Boring, Maryland), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:42 (two weeks ago)

if I found myself in 1976 England, I’d be trying to find a Sex Pistols gig

― Illegal Algae (Boring, Maryland), Wednesday, July 8, 2026 9:39 AM (five minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

This same wknd they played Screen on the Green with the Clash & Buzzcocks, which could probably be another poll

chr1sb3singer, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:46 (two weeks ago)

801 or U-Roy

willem, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:47 (two weeks ago)

AC/DC with Bon Scott - but would be sad they didn't play Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap or It's A Long Way... after that it's Gong or VDGG

. (jamiesummerz), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:52 (two weeks ago)

also it's a shitty drop-off from the year before which had Hawkwind, Judas Priest, Yes, Thin Lizzy, Mahavishnu, Soft Machine, Caravan, Richard & Linda Thompson!

. (jamiesummerz), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 14:54 (two weeks ago)

This lovely, creaky Web 1.0 site is a great resource and fun read: https://www.ukrockfestivals.com/

Maresn3st, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 15:01 (two weeks ago)

xp I dunno, if I had to pick between '75 and '76, Can alone might be enough to sway me.

jmm, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 15:03 (two weeks ago)

U-Roy or AC/DC

il lavoro mi rovina la giornata (PBKR), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 15:50 (two weeks ago)

tough call between 801 and AC/DC, went with 801

Serfin' USA (sleeve), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 16:27 (two weeks ago)

lots of amazing options but rory gallagher would melt my face off

mobb derp (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 16:48 (two weeks ago)

This alternate poster suggests Can played too, but you don't want a poll walkover so let's stick with the above

Pretty certain Can never played at the Reading Festival!

stanes on the knees and blood on the jumber (Tom D.), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 16:59 (two weeks ago)

The lone AFT vote is mine, one-LP wonders who were possibly the missing link between Wishbone Ash and King Crimson. In fact I started this poll purely so I could vote for them.

pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 17:45 (two weeks ago)

Pretty certain Can never played at the Reading Festival!

CANcelled

pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 17:46 (two weeks ago)

The lone AFT vote is mine, one-LP wonders who were possibly the missing link between Wishbone Ash and King Crimson. In fact I started this poll purely so I could vote for them.

Their only album was co-produced by Loyd Grossman.

stanes on the knees and blood on the jumber (Tom D.), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 18:04 (two weeks ago)

VDGG

every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in f (President Keyes), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 18:43 (two weeks ago)

Yes, I mean was Gong not Pierre Moerlen's Gong by 1976?

stanes on the knees and blood on the jumber (Tom D.), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 18:50 (two weeks ago)

... oh yeah, I see Alan Holdsworth was playing with them. Count me out then.

stanes on the knees and blood on the jumber (Tom D.), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 18:51 (two weeks ago)

Will no-one speak up for The Enid?

pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 19:04 (two weeks ago)

This is a toss-up for me between Van Der Graaf Generator and Ted Nugent. Seriously.

(Black Oak Arkansas were already on the decline by 1976, can't believe they were headliners. Also can't believe Phil Collins was touring with Brand X. Were Genesis on a break?)

wipes chooser (unperson), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 19:16 (two weeks ago)

I like the proto-Cocteau Twins aesthetic here

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Aerie-Faerie-Nonsense-%281977%29.jpg

jmm, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 19:24 (two weeks ago)

Not much Cocteaus in the music tbh

pax ramona (Matt #2), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 19:31 (two weeks ago)

"U-Roy or AC/DC

― il lavoro mi rovina la giornata (PBKR), Wednesday, July 8, 2026 9:50 AM"

you too me too

just what is it that you think the "ilxor algorithm" directs? (Hunt3r), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 20:14 (two weeks ago)

U-Roy on Friday, Manzanera with Eno on lead vox Saturday, Dacca on Sunday.

uploading this content requires perseveration (sic), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 20:20 (two weeks ago)

Stallion v Mallard v Camel (actual fight not poll dilemma)

assert (matttkkkk), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 21:38 (two weeks ago)

trilemma, if you will

assert (matttkkkk), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 21:39 (two weeks ago)

Apparently Osibisa were the mystery guests who closed out the festival on the Sunday night

Angine de Postecogloutrine (NickB), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 21:58 (two weeks ago)

voted for VDGG

Angine de Postecogloutrine (NickB), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 22:10 (two weeks ago)

had never heard of AFT before. or if i have, i probably got them confused with ATF who doubtless also played at Reading at sonme point in the 70s or 80s

Angine de Postecogloutrine (NickB), Wednesday, 8 July 2026 22:13 (two weeks ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Monday, 13 July 2026 00:01 (two weeks ago)

I voted U-Roy. I'm just relaxing, soaking up the sun, the vibe, and letting the contact high ease on in.

nicky lo-fi, Monday, 13 July 2026 00:47 (two weeks ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Tuesday, 14 July 2026 00:01 (two weeks ago)

Poor showing for stoner prog voyagers Camel

pax ramona (Matt #2), Tuesday, 14 July 2026 01:13 (two weeks ago)

Hell yeah we are seeing VDGG!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCFZCNZ8JA

chr1sb3singer, Tuesday, 14 July 2026 19:25 (two weeks ago)

RIGGED

Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:57 (one week ago)


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