READING Festival is officially getting louder for longer. Organisers have been granted permission to put live music on the main stage for a fourth day — with Thursday performances now signed off from 2027.

The August bank holiday event, which typically pulls in more than 100,000 people each year, will be allowed to use the main stage on Thursdays between 17:00 and 23:30 BST. The extra night comes after objections from local groups representing hundreds of residents who raised concerns about disruption and increased noise for people living nearby.

Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn told Reading Borough Council’s licensing committee the move was about giving fans “better value for money” on weekend tickets — and also tempting people in for Thursday evening, depending on what the Thursday line-up ends up being.

Traditionally, Wednesday and Thursday have been treated as warm-up days, mainly for campers arriving before the main bill kicks off on Friday. This year’s festival — and its sister event in Leeds — will be headlined later this month by Charli XCX, rapper Dave and Chase & Status.

Residents’ groups made clear the issue wasn’t the festival’s existence, but what a working-night finish might mean. Elisa Miles, chair of the Warren & District Residents Association, said the group has worked “constructively” with Festival Republic over the years to tackle impacts, but warned loud amplified music late into Thursday evening would disrupt sleep for those who have to be at home.

Festival Republic’s application said an assessment found Thursday live music would not “adversely impact” nearby residents. It also argued a Thursday programme would give ticket holders — “especially those under 18” — something to do in the evening rather than congregating in campsites or less supervised areas.

There’s also a community cash element: from next year, festival-goers will pay an extra £1 per ticket, with the money intended to support people and businesses in Reading. Benn described it as a long-term commitment expected to bring in more than £100,000 a year, with Festival Republic set to work with the council and locals on where those funds should go.