LINKS:
The exclusive Reading '99 Photographs
Backstage Reading '99 Exclusive Photographs

• Suggs surprisingly appeared on stage with Symposium to sing on their ska track 'Dizzy'.
• A festival-goer was spotted during Toploader's set brandishing a "Toploader are rubbish" placard.   The band told him they'd see him later.
• Jarvis Cocker as expected appeared with the All Seeing I in the dance tent on Saturday, and was seen watching Elastica from the side of the Evening Session stage on Friday.
• Dog Eat Dog saved the organisers bacon by playing on Sunday, after a last minute cancellation on the Van Warped Tour stage.
• Hip-hop pioneers The Sugar Hill Gang announced they are bringing a new album out in the new year, and will come over to Britain again to tour as well.
• Webb Brother Christiaan lost his voice on Saturday - the day they were due to play the Carling Premier tent.   Through throat remedies and encouragement the band played (see our interview and feature)
• Mansun played no new material when they headlined the Evening Session stage on Sunday.  Their set was cut noticeably short by a late running order throughout the day.

• Damon announced Blur would be playing a b-sides gig (Camden Ballroom 6th Sept now sold-out) and special singles show where they're play all a-sides in order (Wembley Arena, 11th December) as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations.
• The very chatty Damon announced early into the set that he only had one drink before the show but was getting really into it.  Alex has since refuted the suggestion telling 'Teletext' that he actually was drunk.
• The music papers' story about Blur splitting up seems totally spun.   When Damon remarked that the band were going to do 'something else for a while' there was completely no reaction from the crowd.
• Before 'There's no other way' Damon told the story of him and Alex taking an 'E' before performing the song on Top of the Pops.   He said that that was the best time they've had on the show.  He also added that the most screwed up thing about the whole episode was that their record company gave them the drugs.  A very Robbie Williams moment.

CELEBRITIES WE SAW FLAUNTING IT BACKSTAGE:

Cornershop
Pavement
Dandy Warhols
Radiohead
2 Charlatans
Matthew (Eastenders, Hung Up)
Sanjay (ex-Eastenders)
Sol (Hollyoaks)
Jamie (Space)
Richard Bacon
Manda Rin (Bis)
Feeder
Jonathan King
Paul Gallagher
Vince Power (Mr. Mean Fiddler)
The Chicks
Denise van Outen
Medal
Annie (Elastica)
Emma B (Radio 1)
Huey (Fun Lovin Criminal)
Danny (Embrace)
 
 

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