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It’s just over a decade old, it’s sponsored by a man who travels around the world in a hot air balloon and its attempts to create a pertinent festival vibe are as poorly executed as John Terry’s kick in Moscow. The V Festival began as a way of promoting Branson’s Virgin brand, and it would appear little has changed since 1996. Indeed, the whole place reeks of profit seeking.
This, of course, is in no way a reflection on the more magical moments that were stirring on the stages though – more of them in a moment. However, when you can’t even take a can of beer to sit down with, are taken more ways then a diversion on the A1 and restricted to the scenery of your campsite it can take its toll.
Rules and restrictions are fine, but when the security doesn’t even know what’s going on and who’s going where it all becomes a little confusing. Never mind, you can take away our cans but not our British can do attitude. Even with long arduous waits for policemen to realise their metal detectors don’t work - just so everyone can enter the arena - the smiles of the festival-goers still resonate wildly under the glorious Chelmsford sunshine.
So onto the music. Day one begins with a trip to the Sessions Tent to see The La’s-esque Troubadours. An ideal intimate setting for the Liverpool lads to get Angela Griffin’s feet moving as well as the rest in attendance. After seeming to break a string after every song, Mark Frith led his merry men through hits such as ‘Gimmie Love’ and new single ‘I’m Not Superstitious’.
Britpop sires Shed Seven were making a salient spectacle on the 4 Music stage after their year old reformation for a greatest hits tour. Rick Witter’s voice echoes intelligent substance as he and the band power through classic hits such as ‘She Left Me On Friday’ and the alluring charms of ‘Chasing Rainbows’ ensuring the mid-afternoon sunshine was blessed with something equally as staggering.
Ray Davies joins The Kooks on the V stage for a rendition of The Kink’s classic ‘Victoria’ later in the day. Poor old Ray must be getting foolish in his old age as the performance fails to offer anything of substance and appears more as a credibility craving from the frustratingly irritating Luke Pritchard. His band will never be as good as he believes and the horribly dull ‘Shine On’ is as pleasing to the ear as a drill in a dentist’s chair.
Half an hour later and it’s the turn of Stereophonics to roar through a crowd-pleasing set of anthemic nostalgia. Taking songs from 1997 debut ‘Word Gets Around’ such as ‘Traffic’ and ‘Too Many Sandwiches’ as well as the stomping opener ‘Bartender And The Thief’, Kelly Jones’ gravelling wails make headway through the dusk settled evening air. His Freddy Mercury style ‘Ay-o’ beginning made sure the crowd would “fucking av’ it” as he put it. An outing for new track ‘You’re My Star’ unfortunately failed to resonate as benevolently, but ‘Dakota’ soon turned everyone’s attention back on the pint sized rocker.
Headliners Muse provided an experience worthy of their status as one of the best live bands ever. This was a set that harked back to the wonder of the 60s and 70s festivals. Where everything was encapsulated in one defining moment. The genius of Matt Bellamy manipulated the night into a frenzy. A few spots of rain started to trickle down before the madness commenced, but as soon as the first notes of ‘Map Of The Problematique’ rang it was as if God himself decided to clear the clouds so he could get a front row seat for the upcoming rapture. A tantalising finish to a somewhat strange first day.
As day two begins a commotion ensues. Attempts to get into the arena are halted due to staff and a policeman trying to get a metal detector working. One machine for thousands of music loving fans was never going to work anyway. Eventually they admit defeat and the crowd can make their way to their appropriate section. A pointless annoyance that should have been avoided.
The Stanglers provide an exuberant opening performance on the V stage before Squeeze manage to squeeze a few too many snores into their set. ‘Cool For Cats’ saves a prolonged performance from being remembered as dreary.
Lenny Kravitz knocks all apprehensions on the head next with a showboating hour of guitar heavy rock ‘n’ roll. Even his moment to preach peace to the crowd is taken with a pinch of salt as he tests the restrictions of the speakers decibel limits.
Amy Winehouse is next in line and creates a difference of opinion amongst the punters who are glad she is sort of understandable and not banging on about her banged up husband. An average performance is received as well as a great one today.
After headlining Glastonbury this year, Kings Of Leon take to the stage with the pressure lifted off. It certainly shows, as Caleb Followill takes time to play with the crowd via light-hearted expressions and continually acknowledging the English crowd for “making them the Kings”. New singles ‘Sex On Fire’ and ‘Crawl’ prove we are in for a hell of a fourth album from the Nashville four while stadium fillers ‘Fans’, 'Molly’s Chambers’ and ‘Black Thumbnail’ lift the crowd quite literally off their feet.
It’s the turn of The Verve to close the festival as they did Glastonbury this year -and this time the rain does fall, maybe God doesn’t like Richard Ashcroft as much. Either way their performance is enough to warrant a seething noise of appreciation, and not just from the crowd. Ashcroft repeatedly sticks his mic against his heart to let the crowd march to his beat and feel his energy. ‘Sit And Wonder’, ‘History’ and the deafening cries of ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ all make for significant sighs of elation and allow the band to end the festival in style.
Click the links below to see V Festival in pictures:
V Festival 2008 – Day One, Staffordshire – CLICK HERE
V Festival 2008 – Day One, Chelmsford – CLICK HERE
V Festival 2008 – Day Two, Staffordshire – CLICK HERE
V Festival 2008 – Day Two, Chelmsford – CLICK HERE
