Why Reading and Leeds festivals had to ban pineapples this year

 

Seems that if you choose to carry a pineapple into either event, it “will be immediately confiscated if found.”

While this does seem like a joke, an easter egg buried at the bottom of the list to perhaps inspire some form of virility, the ban is actually based on a very real concern.

Seems fans of Glass Animals have taken to bringing the spiky fruit to their gigs, based on a line in a song that states “pineapples are in my head”. The fruit is added to the stage decorations, with the band actively encouraging this delicious adornment.

The controversy was leaped upon by the BBC, with a spokesperson for Reading and Leeds telling the broadcaster that: “Organisers were a little concerned about hundreds of pineapples turning up on site so decided to ask fans not to bring them along.” They did admit, “the tongue may be slightly in cheek on this one” – although it does remain a banned item.

Glass Animals have been stirring the controversy, sending the NME  three short statements: “It’s fruitist. Watermelons are fine, but not pineapples?”, “Challenge—anyone who wasn’t bringing a pineapple definitely is now”, and “It’s irresponsible to stop young people at a festival having vital vitamin P.”

Pineapples have to be the hardest thing on the list to smuggle in, as well, which means you’re gonna have to really want it.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.