- Thu, 2007-08-23 11:08
V Festival took place this weekend (August 18- 19) and was a resounding success, despite Amy Winehouse not performing due to her time in rehab. With one of the best ever line-ups and atmosphere's the rain was kept at bay until the final act (pretty much) where it only added to the electric vibe of uber dude Dave Grohl and The Foo Fighters. Buy V2008 Tickets here
The aftorementioned Fighters of Foo suprised early arrivers with an hour long secret afternoon acoustic show under the pseudonym of ‘606’ on the Channel 4 stage at the Chelmsford leg in Hylands Park. During which they played Skin And Bones, Marigold, My Hero, See You, Cold Day In The Sun, Big Me, and But Honestly. Which was nice!
Just Jack and Editors made Saturday lunchtime a sweet treat. Paolo Nutini kept the crowd pleased with his Scottish tones and Italian good looks before the furtively flamboyant Kanye West had the 160,000 strong crowd jumping in unison wearing paper sunglasses to Stronger. What a showman!
Juliette And The Licks also performed a raw energy filled set before another pop rock chick Pink rocked out the V Stage with a collection of some new some older tracks before belting out a cover of the 4 Non Blondes’ What’s Up. Dizzee Rascal amazed as always... 'Don't make me get old skool'! Terra Naomi and Sinead O'Connor along with Ocean Colour Scene had also gone down very well in the JJB Arena beforePrimal Scream raised the roof, closing with an encore of Loaded.
Happy Mondays paid tribute to Tony Wilson, knocking out tunes from their Unkle Dysfunktional album, their first album in 14 years, alongside older crowd pleasing faves. And yes, Bez can still dance!
Meanwhile on the Virgin Mobile Union stage Pop Levi, The Hoosiers, Ghosts and Mumm-Ra were united in brilliance, as were Mr Hudson And The Library, lyrical genius Plan B and the mind-blowing Rodrigo Y Gabriela.
The session stage saw Alberta Cross, Brinkman, Newton Faulkner and Amy Macdonald each captured the hearts of the crowd.
Topping off a suitably legendary day, Dave Grohl dedicated some Foo Fighters tracks to Nirvana. The following night in Staffordshire he was joined on stage by his mum.
Highlights came from Paolo Nutini, Dizzee Rascal, The Kooks, Kanye West, Pink, Snow Patrol and Martha Wainwright and The Foo Fighters.
Over in Weston Park, Staffordshire, Mark Ronson and Candie Payne teamed up with The Zutons for a funky, fruity, fantastic set. While the likes of James Morrison, The Cribs, The Fratellis, McFly, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen (inbetween dissing president Bush - you go girl!) and many more pulled off blinding sets. V festie goers also celebrated Mika’s birthday, welcoming him on stage by singing ‘Happy Birthday’.
All in all another well-organised very-enjoyable V Festival. But then, it always is.
