The big two: V Festival

United Kingdom | | 11 August 2008

What is it?

A festival which is occasionally criticised for being so heavily mainstream orientated. Still, it manages to find a balance between pop and alternative, specifically designed to keep the majority of punters smiling. 

When and where?

Early entry passes are available for the first time this year, meaning the party starts on Thursday 14th August. It follows the same split-site styling as Reading and Leeds with one leg taking place in Staffordshire (Weston Park) and the other in Chelmsford (Hylands Park). Unfortunately tickets have long since sold out for both sites.

Five to watch

Muse – (V Stage) – One of the best live bands on the planet return to V Festival and with two nights at Wembley Stadium tucked firmly under their belt, they promise to raise the bar even higher than on their last visit. Tracks such as ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ and ‘Our Time Is Running Out’ have become universal anthems, and they’re sure to unite the masses yet again.

The Pogues (JJB Champion Arena) – This will be a rare opportunity to catch the Irish legends anywhere other than their annual milking of Christmas track ‘Fairytale of New York’. Even if you think you’re only familiar with their festive anthem, you’ll be shocked at how many of their songs you actually know the words to.

Team Waterpolo (Sessions Stage) - Sure to be stealing the ‘oohs’ and ‘wooooahs’ right out of Kaiser Chiefs mouths, Team Waterpolo are the pop sensations of next summer. Check them out this year so you can sheepishly deny it next year when everyone hates them because of incessant radio play.

The Futureheads – (V Stage) – After a few shaky years, the lads from ‘up North’ are back on track. Sure to be airing tracks from their recently released album ‘This Is Not The World’ as well as delighting the masses with the un-missable ‘Hounds Of Love’ singalong. They may feel that cover has become an albatross around their necks, but it’s sure to provide one of this year's magic moments.

Paul Heaton – (Virgin Mobile Union) – After the ‘long-time-coming’ death of The Beautiful South, Paul Heaton’s solo set is the next best thing. It’s doubtful that it’ll provide as many anthemic singalongs as his parent band’s last V Festival performance, but he’s sure to deliver a few classics alongside his underrated, reflective, solo material.

One to miss

Sam Sparro – (JJB Champion Arena) – You’ve spent the past few months trying to get ‘Black and Gold’ out of your head, why would you want to subject yourself to hearing it in person? He may well be a talented individual and I’m sure plenty of people will gather to enjoy his flamboyant urban-disco, but it’s all just so… irritating.

Playing a rare festival date

Lenny Kravitz (V Stage) – The music world is a very different place now, from what it was 18 years ago when Lenny Kravitz first set sail on his guitar shaped boat. It’s possible to argue that, as an artist, he lacks any real relevance in the modern music scene. But if Bon Jovi are still able to sell out stadiums then irrelevance is, er... irrelevant . Make the most of his classic back catalogue while he’s on these shores and remember a time when ‘that’ advert was on TV every 5 minutes.

Worst clash

Muse vs. The Prodigy (V Stage/4Music Stage) – Two of the world’s best live acts go head to head in what should be an epic, sonic battle to the death. But in reality you’re only going to be able to watch one of them and the decision is going to cause a bigger headache than your hangover, after spending all of Friday drinking by your tent.

Be at V Festival if you like...

Turning on Radio One and hearing everything that comes with it. It’s guaranteed that you will spend most of the weekend singing along to all the songs which have become firmly lodged in your head this year. It’s as infectious as dancing through a hospital.

Avoid if you like...

Leaving a festival and realising that you’ve just discovered your new favourite band. There will be anthems aplenty, but little to stimulate the music connoisseurs of the world. V Festival provides very few acts that haven’t already been played to death on mainstream radio, so it’s not for the elitists among us.

Festival tactics

Due to the mainstream-orientated lineup the festival is more family-heavy than many similar events and as such things are slightly more subdued than elsewhere. However, it’s advisable to take along at least the obligatory comedy hat or colourful costume to get into the swing of things.

Fashionista or folky?

There’s nothing folky to be found amongst V Festival's advertising hoardings. It’s perfect terrain for the aging fashionistas, who’ve grown bored of chasing the ‘next big thing’ and are happier sticking with their previous weapons of choice as they climb the mainstream ladder. Expect a few gruff townies, clad head to toe in sports wear, attracted to sponsors like JJB and bands like The Hoosiers.

Alcohol of choice

You can bring your own alcohol for campsite shenanigans, but all drink consumed within the arena boundaries has to be purchased inside. The beers inside the arena will be typically priced for this sort of event, making the idea of ‘drinking in moderation’ as much a financial choice as well as a lifestyle one.

Take your mum score

7/10. It’s a wholly un-offensive, parent friendly, lineup and if it rains you’ll be left with plenty of mud to fling at your mum when she starts singing that Newton Faulkner song… again.

V Festival takes place in Stafford and Chelmsford from 14th-18th August.

by Jamie Barker