As Eminem does his smarties routine with the kids on the main stage, the real men are going 12 rounds, head-first with the psychedelia-slinging utopia of Mercury Rev. And while the controversy stuffed chicken squawks and crows, there is one component he can never grasp: magic.
Thankfully, for those wisely gathered in the Evening Session tent, there is a rare beauty which coruscates and bubbles throughout the Rev's new masterpiece 'All Is Dream', as much as the awe-inspiring predecessor 'Deserter's Songs'.
Just two weeks ago, the band unveiled 'All Is Dream' in fairly weedy fashion to a London audience. Not tonight. Album opening track 'The Dark Is Rising' is given the full, grand majesty of the Bond orchestration, frontman Jonathan Donahue conducting the crashes like a deranged sonic alchemist, his hands finally reaching towards the sky.
Elsewhere, the epic drama of 'Lincoln's Eyes' and a tumultuous 'Tides of the Moon' are as fitting as this band's position of key-holders to a new, wondrous world of sound.
'Deserter's Songs' material is as impressive - save an appalling 'Delta Sun' - with 'The Funny Bird' captivating from the first note of the show, and then ripping its way through the many heads gathered agog. Equally, closer 'Opus 40' mutates God-like into a cosmic mainline of unadulterated glory, raining from the heavens. Interestingly, it falls only on the heads of those under cover.
D12 overdose was the only thing that threatened to stop Eminem stealing the show but thankfully the balance is just right. 'Shit Can Happen' has the crowd on their feet well before everyone's favourite baddie bounds on stage to join his insane clown posse and start getting his tongue round those tricky rhymes. Reading acknowledges that Eminem is currently music's hottest property with the best reception of the weekend.
A half an hour D12 greatest hits set - including 'Pistol Pistol', Eminem's 'Under The Influence', 'Shit On You' and 'Fight Music' - makes way for the main event. "I ain't got the chick here tonight so you gotta help me out" says Eminem asking for assistance with 'Stan' and the crowd duly oblige. 'Marshall Mathers', 'Kill U', 'Forgot About Dre' and 'Criminal' (complete with jibe at that court case) are literally breathtaking as the audience pitch in with a rap here and there whenever they can keep up.
There's no chainsaw in sight but there's still time for a comedy pill-popping moment. Proof hands Eminem a pill saying Marilyn Manson gave it to him backstage. "My god it's ecstasy," Eminem says. "Don't tell my probation officer."
After the double header of 'Drug Ballad' and 'Cum On Everybody', Eminem proves he has a heart by asking for a moment of silence to remember Aaliyah which is sadly poorly observed. Manson wanders on stage for 'What I Am' (Eminem: "That's a sick motherfu**er and you thought I was sick?") and D12 return for a storming 'Purple Pills' to cap a memorable performance.
Reading saved the best until last and Eminem stole the show by putting on a show. Long live rock and roll!
Reviews: Chris Heath, Ben Gilbert
