It’s the rock festival which his father famously headlined 26 years ago.
And today, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher’s youngest son Gene, 25, took to the stage at the Reading music extravaganza with his band Villanelle.
Gene, whose mother is Nicole Appleton, looked remarkably similar to his famous dad with his rock chic black hair and sunglasses as he performed his biggest gig yet at the event which has twin festivals which take place in both Reading and Leeds today and across the weekend.
Along with his two bandmates, he appeared on the Canopy stage, which is smaller than the main stage where Oasis were in 2000.
But he wasn’t the only musical nepo baby to perform at the festival. This weekend there are several offspring of world famous musicians appearing there which has prompted accusations of elitism after organisers of the festivals axed the BBC Introducing stage which was first launched in 2008 to host new talent.
Despite it launching the careers of musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Florence + the Machine, as well as around 70 per cent of British artists in this year’s line up, bosses of Festival Republic announced an overhaul of stages last month saying it would now be open to a ‘much wider pool of emerging talent.’
However, after handing performing slots to the likes of Cruz, Gene, Violet and Moses, there has been much online.
Shortly before Gene took to the stage, Moses Martin, the 20-year-old son of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, took to the stage with his indie-pop band People I’ve Met at the Reading music extravaganza for a 35-minute set 27 years after his father sang there with Coldplay.
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher ’s youngest son Gene, 25, took to the stage at the Reading music extravaganza with his band Villanelle
Shortly before Gene took to the stage, Moses Martin, the 20-year-old son of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow took to the stage with his indie-pop band People I’ve Met
Wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue denim jeans, Moses, who like his father is his band’s lead singer, took to the stage with the band which is also made up of Orlando Wiltshire and Andrew Suster.
They originally formed the group during their time in school together in Los Angeles, California but only started performing live two years ago.
Gene and Moses’ appearances set up a second-generation twist on one of Britpop’s frostier rivalries, which saw Oasis star Liam, 53, mock Coldplay frontman Chris as looking like a ‘geography teacher’ and branded the band’s fans as ‘bedwetters’.
Also taking to the stage on Friday was Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, who had a slot at the Leeds event which is held at the city’s Bramham Park before appearing at Reading on Sunday.
Despite cancelling two gigs in Liverpool and Manchester earlier this week after losing her voice, she recovered in time to sing hits from her album Be Sweet to Me.
Like Gene and Moses, Violet’s father Dave also appeared at Leeds and Reading seven times, the last outing being in 2019 when they headlined.
Also this weekend David and Victoria Beckham’s youngest son Cruz, 21, is also performing with his band The Breakers in Reading on Saturday and Leeds on Sunday.
His proud parents, who have previously attended his gigs, will see his sets as they are continuing their summer holidays in Spain.
The nepo-babies will tag-team both festivals throughout the weekend.
Other headliners include Fontaines DC, former Little Mix singer JADE, RAYE, Chase And Status and Florence and the Machine.
Liam Gallagher’s youngest son Gene is the lead singer and guitarist for the grunge/indie rock band Villanelle (pictured together in 2018)
Just like his famous father, Moses has carved out a career in music (pictured together)
Gene, whose mother is Nicole Appleton , looked remarkably similar to his famous dad with his rock chic black hair and sunglasses
Along with his two bandmates, he appeared on the Canopy stage, which is smaller than the main stage were Oasis were in 2000
Gene performed his biggest gig yet at the event
Also taking to the stage on Friday was Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl
Violet is the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Jordyn Blum (pictured together in January)
Over 100,000 festival-goers are expected to descend on both locations during the three days.
And it appears Britain’s long summer spell of hot and dry weather is over as crowds of people were spotted on Thursday donning their wellies and ponchos as they arrived at both festival locations to set up camp, bracing for rainy conditions.
The Introducing stage first launched in 2008 and also hosted the 1975 and Charli XCX, who is one of this year’s headliners, before they got their big breaks in the music industry.
Reading Festival launched in 1971 and was expanded into Leeds in 1999.
Its biggest sets are being televised by the BBC and streamed on iPlayer, including RAYE on Saturday night and Chase And Status the following evening.
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