How Only The Poets brought Beatlemania to Reading
As my eyes slowly opened onto another winter’s day in Reading, words formed in my mind, then locked on repeat and simply wouldn’t stop.
“I’m over, being emotionally hungover. Now I... I’m sober.”
If you know who Only The Poets are, you might already know those words.
Poets are an indie-pop band from Reading, and they’re on the verge of breaking into the big time. Their debut album, And I’d Do It Again, is at No 10 in the midweek UK album charts.
Those words, repeating endlessly in my mind like all good earworms do, are lyrics from their song Emotionally Hungover.
The trouble was, I was Actually Hungover. Alcoholically Hungover. Headache, Shivers and Painfully Hungover. As melodic, energetic and catchy as that song is, it was not what I needed.
How had it come to this sorry state of affairs? Well, that was Only The Poets’ fault too.
It all began coming back to me. That had been one of the most surreal days I’ve ever known in Reading.
Inside Only The Poets' extraordinary homecoming shows in Reading
From the Purple Turtle to a sold-out hometown show, I spent a day following Only The Poets – Reading's biggest band – while they celebrated the defining moment of their career. As hordes of teenage fans flooded in from across Europe, I never thought I’d see Reading quite like this.
(This is an edited extract from a story originally published by The Reading Reporter. The full version is available on Substack.)
As my eyes slowly opened onto another winter’s day in Reading, words formed in my mind, then locked on repeat and simply wouldn’t stop.
“I’m over, being emotionally hungover. Now I... I’m sober.”
If you know who Only The Poets are, you might already know those words. If you don’t, then Only The Poets are an indie-pop band from Reading, and they’re on the verge of breaking into the big time. Their debut album, And I’d Do It Again, is at No 10 in the midweek UK album charts.
Those words, repeating endlessly in my mind like all good earworms do, are lyrics from their song Emotionally Hungover.
The trouble was, I was Actually Hungover. Alcoholically Hungover. Headache, Shivers and Painfully Hungover. As melodic, energetic and catchy as that song is, it was not what I needed.
How had it come to this sorry state of affairs? Well, that was Only The Poets’ fault too. It all began coming back to me. That had been one of the most surreal days I’ve ever known in Reading.
I should have realised that it wasn’t going to be an ordinary day when I arrived at the Purple Turtle at 3pm last Saturday.
You’d expect the bar to be happy for custom in the middle of the afternoon but the welcome was a suspicious look from a bouncer and then, eventually, a question: “Are you here for the band?”
Yes I was. And when I walked inside it became clear why I’d been considered potentially a bit iffy. The place was rammed full, mainly with hundreds of teenage girls. I stood out like, well, a 42-year-old man at an Only The Poets gig.
Want to know what happened next?
Read the full story for free on Substack, where I follow Only The Poets through an extraordinary day in Reading. You'll find many more stories like this about Reading too. A day, a night and a hangover with Only The Poets
The Reading Reporter publishes exclusive reporting, investigations and untold stories about this town every week. It is the only place for original, quality, independent journalism in Reading.
It’s where you get to see Reading differently.
Join free or become a paid subscriber today so you don’t miss out.
See you there,
Chris (The Reading Reporter)
Reading's Station Hill mural: the complete insider's guide
The hidden stories behind every single character - and why they matter to Reading
Reading's landmark Station Hill mural is packed with famous faces, local heroes, historic moments and hidden references. I spoke to the artists and uncovered the stories behind every character, revealing why this remarkable artwork is really a love letter to the town.
The magnificent new mural on Station Hill has transformed the area, especially when lit up in full technicolour at night. Picture: Marcus Peel
(This is an edited extract from a story originally published by The Reading Reporter. The full version is available on Substack.)
The hulking glass tower of ONE Station Hill has attracted many admiring glances since its construction – but it is the artwork nestled in the building’s shadow that has already won hearts across Reading.
Created by local artists Kev Munday and Stuart Melrose, the 51-metre long mural outside the station’s main entrance captures the town’s soul.
We’ve all had that moment: the “did Paddington really just blink at me?” shock, when you realise that this mural is a living testimony to so many of this town’s most treasured characters.
From everyone’s favourite Peruvian bear to unsung local heroes, the mural – entitled Royals, Residents & A Rock Festival – contains references to cultural and social icons as well as the beautiful natural environment that surrounds us.
By day it is a flowing, monochrome sketch, but by night it comes alive in a dazzling display of colour, becoming a vibrant, utopian world full of intriguing shapes and hidden details.
Munday and Melrose consulted children from 12 local schools for their ideas of what makes Reading great, as well as historians and councillors. Munday – who lives in Basingstoke – transformed their ideas into drawings in his own inimitable style, before Melrose – from Tadley – used his sculptural and technical wizardry to construct the landmark we now see. Both were funded by developers Lincoln MGT as part of a massive £1.5million investment in artwork alone to transform this neglected, concrete alley into a warm, inviting gateway to the town.
But for all the brilliance of the artwork and the vision of the developers, one question does remain on many local lips: just who really is in this mural?
Below is the first complete and comprehensive guide that explains exactly who and what makes up every single element of the brilliant Station Hill mural – plus why these things are so significant to the town.
So next time you’re stood outside the station thinking, “is that really Ricky Gervais?”, or “why’s that man’s head on the end of a stick?”, simply open The Reading Reporter’s ultimate, section-by-section guide, and find out…
Want to know exactly who every character is in the Station Hill mural, and what is their connection to Reading?
Read the full story for free on Substack, where I reveal the details behind every single drawing on the artwork, from Catherine, Princess of Wales to Bruno the Brake Car – and an upside-down duck.
Read more: Inside Reading’s new Station Hill mural – and who's really in it
The Reading Reporter publishes exclusive reporting, investigations and untold stories about this town every week. It is the only place for original, quality, independent journalism in Reading.
It’s where you get to see Reading differently.
Join free or become a paid subscriber today so you don’t miss out.
See you there,
Chris (The Reading Reporter)