NME Festival Guide 2008
Reading & Leeds Festival

Tenacious D get theatrical at Reading Festival

Pic: Danny North

Pic: Danny North

Comedy band give the crowd costumes, jokes and the devil

Tenacious D made the most of their Metallica support slot at Reading Festival – by playing a Guns N' Roses cover during their Main Stage set tonight (August 24).

After coming onstage dressed in wizards and lizards costumes, Jack Black and Kyle Gass played a high-octane set that was as much theatrical as it was musical.

Black made reference to tonight's Main Stage headliners Metallica, saying what an honour it was to open for "the greatest metal band of all time," and then instructed Gass to play a tribute song, at which point the guitarist launched into a ropey acoustic cover of the Guns N' Roses classic, 'Sweet Child O' Mine'.

In keeping with his status as a Hollywood actor, Black made a series of comedic speeches throughout the bands set, which also saw appearances from a huge, metal-clad character during the song 'The Metal'.

Towards the end of their performance, the band were joined by another character – The Devil – who they later serenaded with their most popular song, 'Tribute'.

NME.COM is bringing you live coverage straight from both sites of the Reading And Leeds Festivals 2008. For the latest news, blogs, pictures and video interviews head to the Reading And Leeds Festivals index now.

Plus make sure you get next week's issue of NME - on newsstands nationwide from Wednesday August 27 - for the ultimate Reading And Leeds Festivals review.

For more Reading And Leeds Festivals coverage including live footage and more, visit fellow official media partner bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds.

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