Manchester alt-country band Westside Cowboy spoke to NME backstage at Reading 2026, reflecting on a breakthrough year that included winning the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition, supporting Geese at London's Hammersmith Apollo, and releasing their debut album "It Goes On" to acclaim. It was the band's first time performing at Reading, and they drew packed crowds in The Ballroom tent at both the Reading and Leeds sites, cementing their status as one of the festival's most talked-about acts.

Singers and guitarists Reuben Haycocks and Jimmy Bradbury described feeling both grateful and disoriented after a long stretch on tour, crediting their team for keeping them grounded and noting they still see themselves as simply "playing music with our friends". They spoke fondly of playing the historic Hammersmith Apollo and of the lengthy process of finishing and releasing their debut record, calling its release the true highlight of their year. The pair also touched on deliberately avoiding reviews to stay focused, and reaffirmed their aim to keep injecting fun and a lighter touch into their songwriting going forward.