I would love nothing more than to take the whole of summer off work and attend a music festival every week - now that would make for the BEST summer ever. Unfortunately, I'm not rich and not able to just jet set around (how cruel life can be eh..) so I had to settle for just one festival ticket, and like an old holey jumper that you know is passed it's best, but you just can't throw away, my ticket ended up being one for V Festival.
...I have been attending V since the tender age of 15, crikey, I am old school.
These days, now, more than ever, V is seen as the most commercial and "pop" of the UK festivals, it is has kinda become the 'uncool' festival choice, viewed by many music lovers out there as the one to skip, and to be fair the line-up this year did seem a bit weak. Nonetheless, I was excited about the prospect of being with my pals in the sunshine, cider in hand, watching some live music.
We started our music weekend with... 5ive, yep..5ive and it was amazing! As a kid, I unlike a lot of my friends, didn't have much interest in boy bands, I liked Oasis and Travis and stuff like The Rolling Stones (thank you parents) so except for my necessary dose of girl power from the wonderful Spice Girls - I wasn't too fussed about 'pop'. But, I did always have a soft spot for 5ive, the "bad boys" (LOL) of the pop world.
And, finally, at the age of 25 I was about to see them inside the Arena tent. It was absolutely full - mainly of females in their 20s ! Maybe the fact it had began to rain outside helped, but either way the atmosphere was bouncing, every singly person was singing, dancing and cheering as they came out on stage with their version of Queen's classic 'We will rock you'. They sang and rapped hit after hit and you could tell they were having as much fun as the captured audience ( FYI - I totally fancy Scott and Abs, and Ritchie's arms alone deserve a special mention..) I never wanted their performance to end, it was THAT good, when, it did finish though (sigh), I thought I'd lost my voice - so much passionate 5ive singing has it's dangers after all.
And, finally, at the age of 25 I was about to see them inside the Arena tent. It was absolutely full - mainly of females in their 20s ! Maybe the fact it had began to rain outside helped, but either way the atmosphere was bouncing, every singly person was singing, dancing and cheering as they came out on stage with their version of Queen's classic 'We will rock you'. They sang and rapped hit after hit and you could tell they were having as much fun as the captured audience ( FYI - I totally fancy Scott and Abs, and Ritchie's arms alone deserve a special mention..) I never wanted their performance to end, it was THAT good, when, it did finish though (sigh), I thought I'd lost my voice - so much passionate 5ive singing has it's dangers after all.
Over the weekend I also caught moments of Laura Mvula, The Vaccines, Olly Murs (mainly for a quick perve of everyones favourite cheeky chappy), Deacon Blue, James and Paloma Faith - all who were pretty damn decent and all warrant a cheers!
Nevertheless, stand out acts included: Rudimental - the crowd went crazy at the Channel 4 stage to their set, which was brilliant, when 'Waiting all night' was being performed, every person was jumping about - holding hands - just having a good time, and after all, having fun is what it's all about right?!
Surprisingly, I enjoyed Emelie Sande (she was one of the few people I was kinda bullied into seeing by my festival mates), it's not that I actually dislike her music, I can just take it or leave it, but live she was good, I did however, get more excited about seeing John Bishop at the side of the stage to be honest, but anyway..
Two Door Cinema Club smashed their set - perfect summer sunshine tunes and when I caught end of The Courteeners they were looking and sounding as good as ever, and let's face it 'Not 19 forever' and 'You overdid it doll' are perfect indie festival anthems.
Back inside the Arena tent (I always think that at festivals like music venues in general, the smaller the venue the better) I saw Travis and MY GOD it was literally sensational, packed out, everybody chanting - hugging each other, dancing around, it was the best set of the weekend I reckon and when Fran Healey cried on stage thanking everyone, I almost shed a tear myself.
Headline acts on Saturday - Kings of Leon were, as expected, incredible and well worthy of the lead spot on the main stage, having followed Stereophonics who didn't disappoint either, my indie heart was all a flutter.
And, finally Queen B... finished it all off as healiner on Sunday... half hour late (DIVA) she was worth the wait, if not for 'Single Ladies' alone but for the remix of 'Halo', which sampled some of Whitney's 'I will always love you', me and my girls cheesily sang it to each other. Girl Power lives on.
What a weekend - music and sunshine makes me happy and content. Thanks V, you've been a loyal friend, but I think next year it is probably time to move on. HELLO GLASTO...x
