Why Pineapples Are Getting Banned at a Major Music Festival

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Pineapples: nature’s deadliest weapon, according to the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

For the human body, pineapples have amazing health benefits.  They can improve respiratory health, cure common colds, strengthen your bones, and even help you lose weight.  But according to the Reading and Leeds Festivals, they’re the most dangerous enemy known to man.

At the Reading Festival’s website, festivalgoers can find a list of items prohibited from this year’s event.  You’ll find the usual suspects, including fireworks, glass, drones, weapons, and firewood.  However, once you scroll down, you’ll find pineapples listed under two categories.  You can’t bring them into the festivals’ campsite, nor can you take them into the arenas.

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Initially, organizers didn’t provide an explanation as to why they suddenly banned the otherwise nutritious fruit.  However, the move was later confirmed to have been done in anticipation of a popular British band’s upcoming performance.

In ‘Pork Soda,’ UK indie rock group Glass Animals included the phrase, “pineapples are in my head.”  The band’s lead singer, Dave Bayley, decided to include the lyrics after overhearing the strange phrase in a conversation.  Since then, the group’s fans have shown up to multiple gigs wearing pineapples.  Fans have worn pineapple hats, T-shirts, and even full-blown pineapple costumes.

Speaking with the BBC, a spokesperson for the Reading and Leeds Festivals explained the sudden decision to ban pineapples from the event.

“Organisers were a little concerned about hundreds of pineapples turning up on site so they decided to ask fans not to bring them along.”

In a statement to NME, a spokesperson for the band blasted the abrupt decision to ban pineapples from the festivals.

“It’s Fruitist.  Watermelons are fine, but not pineapples?  Challenge – anyone who wasn’t bringing a pineapple definitely is now.

“It’s irresponsible to stop young people at a festival having vital vitamin P.”

This year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals will take place from August 25th to the 27th.

Image by areta ekarafi (CC by 2.0)