IT IS the greatest rock festival on the planet – a huge, deliciously messy convergence of the largest rock and indie bands and acts acts.

Reading Festival is the world’s oldest pop and rock festival still in existence – pulling in crowds since 1971, when it evolved from a series of surprisingly chaotic, and downright feisty, jazz festivals.

Taking place just a hop over the Oxfordshire border, beside the Thames at Little John’s Farm near Caversham Bridge, this celebration of everything contemporary and loud is rivalled only by Glastonbury in the quality of bands it attracts – though with a bedrock of harder, louder bands on the line-up is far less fluffy and mainstream and way more exciting.

You will not find anyone in a deckchair leafing through The Guardian, or nodding along to Ed Sheeran or Adele here.

This year’s three-day bash bursts into life tomorrow - and music-lovers are in for a vintage weekend.

Headline sets come from anthemic Leicester rockers Kasabian, Detroit rap superstar Eminem and epic stadium rock act Muse.

They are joined by more than 200 ands and artists ¬ - among them Fatboy Slim, You Me At Six and Two Door Cinema Club tomorrow, Major Lazer, Korn, Flume, Andy C, and Oxford’s Mercury Prize nominees Glass Animals on Saturday, and Haim, Architects, Marshmello, Charli XCX and Oxford four-piece Low Island on Sunday. Then there are legenda like Ash and rising stars like Black Honey, Barns Courtney, PVRIS, Deap Vally, Honeyblood and Judas.

All bands playing at Reading also truck up to Yorkshire to appear at its sister festival at Leeds.

Muse are playing the brace of bashes as UK festival exclusives. Led by commanding frontman Matt Bellamy, the trio have taken to the biggest stages around the world with their interstellar anthems for over 22 years, and their return to Reading’s Richfield Road promises to be yet another landmark moment in their storied career.

Festival director Melvin Benn said: “I’m thrilled to have Muse headlining at Reading. Their incredible live show promises to be an unforgettable.”

Matching them for sheer excitement will be our very own Glass Animals, who have this year cemented their rise to global stardom, with huge shows everywhere from mainland Europe to the USA , Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Of course, we loved them best in what now seem like ridiculously intimate venues like Oxford’s Jericho Tavern or Bullingdon – where they pulled in devoted local fans last year.

The former St Edward’s School lads’ album How To Be A Human Being was received with rave album reviews, and Radio 1 and 6 music A-listed singles Life Itself and Youth. The band sold out their entire UK, Europe and US tours and amassed well over 200 million Spotify streams. They will be right at home in front of the famously enthusiastic Reading crowd.

Returning for their tenth time are riff-slinging 90s indie heroes Ash. Frontman Tim Wheeler says: "We’re very proud to be playing an historic 10th appearance for Ash at the Reading Festival.

“We first performed there in 1995 and our shows at the festival stand among our favourite shows that we’ve ever played, it’s always been a highlight of each year we’ve done it. Somewhere along the way we were promised a statue upon reaching our 10th appearance, so we’re looking forward to the grand unveiling this weekend!"

Also expect a buzz around teenage singer-songwriter extraordinaire Declan McKenna – who has long been a fan as a punter. He says: “Reading is definitely going to be a highlight of the year for me. I am so excited to finally be playing at a festival I love so much and have been to so many times.”

Another group of fans returning as stars are Black Honey, who say: "We've been going to Reading since we were little, it's where I crowd surfed for the first time and fell in love with music, it feels so good to be back on the other side of the barrier again this year.”

Barns Courtney agrees, adding: “I am looking forward to making my debut appearance at one of my fave UK festivals which was the first one I ever a went to as a kid! I’m looking forward to rocking your little socks off Reading… and thanks for the invite!”

There have also been excited words from other bands gracing the hallowed field of dreams – which, for the rest of the year is a non-descript expanse of green backing onto a seedy industrial estate.

Lynn Gunn of PVRIS said: “We are incredibly grateful to be performing again at Reading. Our first experience at the festival was phenomenal and took us completely by surprise. We are excited to see what comes from it this time around and perhaps even play some new tunes *wink wink*”

Losing nothing to modesty, Deap Vally promise a show to end all shows, saying: "We can't wait to return to the Reading stage and show everyone how it's done”!

Judas are slightly more humble, saying: "We feel totally honoured and privileged to be asked to open the main stage this year. We have been working so hard for so long and it's amazing to be rewarded with the chance to play the main stage at the best music festival in the UK. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, see you this weekend! Let's have it!”

Honeyblood are also thrilled. “We are mega excited to be playing Reading this year! It's such a legendary festival and it's an absolute dream come true be on the main stage,” they enthused.

But it’s not all new music. Branching out from the wall-to-wall bands, Reading also features an Alternative Stage, hosting comedians and off beat artists.

Big names include Simon Amstell, Bill Bailey, Katherine Ryan, Seann Walsh, Tape Face, Jonathan Pie, Piff The Magic Dragon, Josie Long and Matt Richardson, Joe Lycett and Dane Baptiste.

“I'm very excited to be playing Reading Festival, that all the cool kids at school used to go to while I sat in my bedroom being a right little weirdo,” laughs Joe. “ Finally I'm one of the cool kids, 10 years too late.”

Dane agrees. "I love the Reading Festival,”he says. “There are great bands, sounds, comics and an amazing vibe so good that I’m prepared to use Portaloos. Which is unheard of!”

*Reading Festival takes place from tomorrow to Sunday at Little John’s Farm, Reading.

Weekend tickets have sold out.

Go to readingfestival.com