What a difference a year makes at Leeds, sister to Reading's famous August Bank Holiday festival.

By JAMES RUDDY

What a difference a year makes at Leeds, sister to Reading's famous August Bank Holiday festival.

From the rousing anthem Brit rock of Oasis last year, we had the ungodly and demonic Marilyn Manson, followed by the morbid extremism of Eminem's babbling white rap this year.

It was summed up by the Radio 1 DJ, broadcasting live on Saturday from the press beer tent, who exclaimed: “So you can't stand Marilyn, you hate Eminem, and you can't even be bothered to go and see Travis. So what the heck are you all doing here?” Good question.

To be fair, Scottish band Travis dished up some solid pop-rock as Saturday night headliners, including Driftwood, Why Does It Always Rain on Me, and Writing to Reach You. And the Manic Street Preachers were solidly competent last night.

But there were just too many supposed shock rockers, like Marilyn, prancing around in leather basques and make-up that Alice Cooper cleaned off for the last time 20 years ago.

Hope for the future lay in support stage bands like I Am Klute, and Gay Dad.

A mention too must go to alternative country rockers Goldrush, who are so popular at Norfolk venues.