Huw Stephens introduces Los Angeles rock funk legends Red Hot Chili Peppers as they return to headline the legendary Reading Festival. This is the fourth time the band have headlined the festival since their debut top slot back in 1994 and comes after the release of their first studio album in five years, The Getaway, which recently topped the charts around the world.
Hailing as one of the biggest American bands of the 80s, the roots of the group lie in a friendship forged by school friends singer Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea and drummer Jack Irons. They quickly rose to fame in 1983 and went on to gain huge success right from the release of their self-titled debut in 1984. After various line-ups with musicians joining, leaving and rejoining, over the course of 33 years the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released 11 studio albums, three live albums and 43 singles.
Tonight the current line-up, who have now been together since 2010 and consisting of Anthony and Flea, along with drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, will no doubt entertain the Reading crowd with some of the new songs along with classic tracks such as Give It Away, Under the Bridge and Californication, all with the usual energy and swagger that we've come to expect from arguably one of the best live acts around. Show less