This weekend, we’re ‘on the ground’ at Reading 2022. Featuring some of the biggest and most exciting bands and artists on the planet, alongside the buzziest new acts, we’ll be bringing you coverage of everything you need to know. That includes photos of all the key sets, including these snaps of Megan Thee Stallion, who took to the Main Stage West on Friday (26th August).
Embarking on her third consecutive Hot Girl Summer, Megan Thee Stallion takes the stage as Friday’s first headliner. A deserved slot following the last few years, where she’s steadily risen to mainstream dominance, and she’s got the hits to prove it. Following an intimate show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton – calling Brixton intimate is surely testament to Megan’s success – two days prior, it feels right that she’s back on a huge stage. Undeniable star power and a performance that’s equal parts pop concert and rap show mean Megan’s built for arenas.
She steps out to a DJ announcing her as “the one and only, Megan Thee motherfucking Stallion”, opening with early hit ‘Realer’ and blasting through tracks from each of her projects since ‘Tina Snow’, she’s unstoppable. After a scorching day, Megan’s set only gets things hotter.
Speaking of, she keeps asking the audience if there’s any ‘hotties’ here – “OG Hotties” for ‘Tina Snow’ tracks, “2019 Hotties” for ‘Fever’ tracks, “real hot girls” for everything else – and calls out a fan hoisting up a “BRING ME ON STAGE FOR CAPTAIN HOOK” banner. Unfortunately, security stops it happening in time, but eight fans make it on stage for ‘Cash Shit’, all twerking as expertly as they can in Megan’s honour.
Megan’s body posi attitude permeates the set, encouraging self-love and appreciation before playing monster hit ‘WAP’ and debut album single ‘Body’, and asks the camera operator for extra booty shots.
Her relentless ability to create smashes has kept her at the top of her game since 2020, cutting through during the pandemic and hitting the ground running when it came to festival season last year. With the surprise release of ‘Traumazine’ little over a week ago, the tracks she performs have already gone big enough for her to play ‘NDA’ second and end on latest single ‘Her’.
