Release Date 29 July 2016

Aspiring music journalists and filmmakers from the University of Reading will take over legendary music magazine NME at this year’s Reading Festival.

NME and the University of Reading have joined up to give 12 students the chance to report live for NME from backstage at the renowned music festival, which runs over the August bank holiday weekend (26-28 August 2016).

With Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foals and Biffy Clyro set to headline the festival, the team of up-and-coming writers, photographers and filmmakers will be embedded with NME’s festival team to create live content for NME.com and NME’s social media outlets.

The team of students will work alongside the editorial team at Time Inc (creators of NME) to produce a 16-page supplement for NME magazine’s pre-festival edition, as well as articles and photos for their magazine following the event.

Karen Smalley, Head of Brand & Campaigns at the University of Reading, said: “Giving our students the chance to work with NME gives them a unique opportunity to learn from the best and stand out from the crowd.

“The University has always attracted students who dare to be different, who don’t follow the crowd and are proud to stand up and stand out. This is what makes our students the perfect fit for Reading Festival and this ground breaking partnership with NME.”

The University of Reading has played an important part in the music history – with Pink Floyd, The Who and the Sex Pistols among those that have played the Reading University Students’ Union.

Reading is the alma mater of several rock legends – including Roxy Music co-founder Andy Mackay, 60s rock pyromaniac ‘The Crazy World of’ Arthur Brown, and indie band British Sea Power.

The University has a rich history among other music forms too, with jazz musician Jamie Cullum and composer Gustav Holst in its list of notable former students and academics.

Lillian Betty, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Time Inc., said: “NME is delighted to give University of Reading students the chance to collaborate with our team during Reading Festival.

“NME has been at the forefront of music and youth culture since 1952. Being able to partner with a University with a unique history in the music industry and its enthusiastic team of students will mean our audience can look forward to exciting insight from the mud of Reading Festival in August.”

To find out more about NME at Reading Festival, powered by the University of Reading and this year’s student team, visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/student-life/music/reading-festival.aspx.