Channel 4 Stage - Top 10 acts

Claire Elshaw witnessed the whole thing at Hylands Park to find out which wrinklers still rock, and the youngsters you'll be seeing much more of...

10. Babyshambles - Saturday 6pm

The Pete Doherty show rolls into town and get points for just showing up (they had them docked at Weston Park for arriving hours late - Ed). Unfortunately, the sound quality is awful and for the first couple of tracks it's like they're playing from inside a lawn mower. As the engineer sorts his arse from his elbow it improves. However, it's clear that the audience have come to worship the cult of Pete and the biggest cheer goes to him trashing his guitar and drinking from a pint. Towards the end of the set, Pete quips about getting paid now, which is nearer the mark then he might like to admit because except for the stand out 'Killamangiro' and 'Fuck Forever' the set lacks focus.

9. The Kooks -  Saturday 9.35pm

The audience are quite clearly up for a sing-along as Luke and co hit the stage. Warbling their way through a set that includes 'Naïve' and 'Ooh la', and also some new material, the band look like they're getting comfortable playing to such large audiences. The vibe is mellow and chilled, however you can't help but feel this is may be the wrong feeling for a headline slot Saturday night. Whilst the Kooks are tuneful and enjoyable the show doesn't have the pumping party atmosphere many would look forward to in a headliner and you can't help but reflect that a sunny afternoon slot would suit the tunes better.

8. Rosalita - Saturday 12.25pm

An opening slot on the first day is always hard work and as Road to V winners the pressure is on for Rosalita. But the band step up with confidence to an impressive audience eager to investigate the 5 piece. The tunes are great, foot taping and memorable in a pop-punk Rapture kind of way. With one or two sounding reminiscent of Adam Ant and the sun shining down, they live up to their mission of 'waking us up'.

7. Happy Mondays - Saturday 8.15pm

Bez has made an entire career of dancing like a baffoon and quite frankly that makes the guy a genius. He has the easiest job in rock but, boy, does he do it well. Putting fellow artists in the minor leagues of intoxicating substance abuse, even Pete has a thing to learn from these guys and their unique brand of psychedelic indie dance is still as vibrant as ever. Turning the whole field into a big rave they remind us why they rock. Outings for 'Hallelujah' and '24 Hour Party People' go down splendidly and, of course, there's a show stopping rendition of the all time classic 'Step On'. Shaun and friends know how to show an audience a good time.

6. The Cribs - Sunday 2.45pm

The Cribs swagger onto the Channel 4 stage like they own the audience and quite probably they do. Kicking off into a high gear the mosh pit rumbles into life. With an attitude and a sense of occasion they play 'Indecisive' "for all those who thought that going to see James Morrison was a better idea". They hammer their way through the upbeat, riff heavy guitar tunes with the track 'Men's Needs' really getting the blood pumping. In the end of set frenzy the crowd goes wild as guitarist Ryan Launches himself shirtless into the crowd, or tries to as security manhandle him back to the stage. 

5. Guillemots - Sunday 4.40pm

Sitting mid stage in a big wooden arm chair you imagine your granddad has, Fyfe looks every bit the eccentric. Guillemots come onstage and instantly launch into a packed frenetic sound featuring guitars, keyboards, saxophones and a typewriter. Never letting the pace drop for a second and using anything that makes a nice noise, including a drill and a Theremin, they wow the crowd with expert renditions of 'Made up Love Song 43', 'Trains to Brazil' whilst getting a mosh pit going for the darker, heavy '21st May'. The set culminates in a drumming extravaganza as Rosalita join them onstage for 'Sao Paulo', banging everything in sight.

4. Basement Jaxx - Sunday 9.30pm

It's raining quite heavily as the Basement Jaxx come onstage. The audience are tired, cold and distinctly soggy. Still as they launch into 'Red Alert' the crowd instantly lights up. Proving why they are a club classic act, they generate enough heat with the like of 'Oh My Gosh' and 'Where's Your Head At' to get the audience steaming, literally. Costume changes for the girls are an entertaining side show and the beats are lively and engaging. With the fantastic light show and the glo sticks out in force it's a right old rave up.

3. 606 (AKA The Foo Fighters) - Saturday 1.05pm

When the security trebles for the second set and the number of photographers in the pit outnumber the audience you get the distinct impression something is going on. And indeed it is, as none other than Dave Grohl steps out onstage. Yes, in true Foo's style the guys are playing an early 'secret' slot on the Channel 4 stage ahead of their evening headline set. Powering through more acoustic flavoured numbers including 'My Hero' and 'Cold Day in the Sun' Dave admits he was led to believe it was a 'little tent'. All the usual Foo energy and witty repartee is on display, despite the early hour, and by the end of the set the audience has swelled to include most of the site.

2. The Coral - Saturday 7pm

The Coral wipe the floor musically with most other acts. As well as crowd pleasers 'Pass It On' and 'In the Morning', new track 'Who's Gonna Find Me' gives the crowd an excuse to dance. With the fantastic melodies and intricate sounds the audience explodes into a selection of the most elaborate routines seen all day. The atmosphere is fiesta like as 'Dreaming of You' bellows out of the speakers and even the harder edged 'Remember Me' goes down like a cool Margarita. Whilst the band remains largely static onstage, this is one set where your eyes can be elsewhere as the music contains enough power and the rhythm.

1. Manic Street Preachers - Sunday 8pm

Standing wet-through in the rain listening to the audience belt out 'Rain Drops Keeps Falling on My Head' led by Welsh maestros the Manics is just one of those memories you know will make the whole weekend. As James Dean Bradfield changes the lyrics to implore the sun to 'give these people a fucking break' the audience goes berserk. Clearly they love the sentiment. Whilst the pleas fall on deaf ears the sense on unity with the understanding band endures and the Manics set the stage on fire with their set containing hits from the whole back catalogue. 'Motorcycle Emptiness' sounds as fresh and exciting as ever; 'If You Tolerate This' and 'You Stole the Sun' get the singalong levels going, and the number of people chanting along to only the latest stuff proves the Manics are back to winning over new fans. The guys know how to entertain and watching the long Nicky Wire scissor kick and bounce along to the intricate guitar solo of 'La Tristesse Durera' is a festival must. Blistering, marvelous.

'The Stinker' - Lily Allen -Sunday 6.55pm

Halfway through Lily's set and you can't help but feel it's less of a gig and more of a three year olds temper tantrum set to music. Known for her angry outbursts and, as she herself admits, 'saying stupid things', the US immigration services and Amy Winehouse get the Allen dress down onstage. But rather than sounding like a political onslaught it just sounds more like a spoilt brat moaning. The lyrics to her songs are also generally Lily whining about bad things happening to Lily. As in 'Not Big', a tale of an ex's small manhood after he 'screwed her over', it comes across as mostly childish and sour grapes. So between the harsh lyrics, grating vocals and in-between-song-just-about-everyone-bashing we are well and truly walked through Miss Allen's neurosis. By the end of the set I am firmly wishing good things happen to Lily, not because I like her, but just so she STOPS MOANING.