Well tight but got back out of the house with about 5 hours sleep to head off to V Festival in Chelmsford. Now only real way of relating this is to report on the bands I saw, as unlike many I do actually go for the music, not the drink etc. (Though no objection to those who want to party, and for example, seeing a bunch of blokes all dressed as Fred Flinstone does add to the event. And indeed part of the joy of festivals is just seeing thousands of people having a good time in the way they want. But me, I like to get down to the front and see the whites of the eyes of the performers).
So for what its worth here is my take on the weekend,
Magic Numbers
Nice to see them back. Very much feelgood band to start off a day.
B
The Divine Comedy
Now Neil Hannon is a class performer. Unlikely person for a main stage at a festival, but actually just he and his piano hold the big stage surprisingly well. Brilliant lyricist, very nice performance, and why don't more chaps come out in suit and tie with a bottle of claret, rather than old t-shirt and a beer?
A-
The Coral
Only caught the end of this lot, but had seen them only a few weeks earlier on tour. Spent more time trying to meet up with my friend G and his mates. (V is a big place to try and spot people in). They are quite a different group to me, and perhaps enjoy the festival more as they don't come purely for the music. And interesting just meeting up with a group of lads (albeit 30 year old lads) left to their own natural devices. A cry of "Left" would come up, to alert the group to a passing beauty wearing something impossibly short and tight. Needless to say they were not striving to get the front. But great bunch of guys and nice of them to let an old fart like me hang about with them. And they tried to be on best behaviour with Jen around!
But they were definitely the group who would head off for Goldie Looking Chain
Goldie Looking Chain
Its noticeable the different crowd mix you get when entering some of the tents. GLC crowd is mostly male, not very young and a bit Welsh. All one can say is they are good fun, and really come under the heading of cult act to my mind
B (though maybe more for effort)
Temper Trap
Determined to see this lot having failed to escape from work to see them earlier in the summer. Didn't disappoint - not a stunning live act, but great music and Conditions is a great album. Sounded terrific.
A-, and have hopes for fine things in the future
Scouting for Girls
Now my only excuse for this is they were on the 4 music stage between acts I actually did want to see, and standing through them meant we could get close to the front for the better acts to follow. Interesting from a psychological point of view. First, the way they do the thing where if you want to pull you go out with an ugly mate. Here the uber-geek look for the bass guitarist (think Sid from the first series of Skins, then elongate and add frizzy hair) improves the position of the lead singer who is I don't doubt a decent looking bloke, but the guitarist and his checked shirt both disguise he is on the podgy side. I mention this because he is of course much desired by young girls, as testified to by the awful shrieking around us. Second, and it was Jen who pointed this out to me, he is just too old for the lyrics. They sing teenage, well school age songs. And so, so repetitive. And I hate all that "How much we love you the fans " stuff, let alone the "You are the fifth member of the band". More telling was the other guitarist in his Sonic Youth t-shirt and slightly sheepish demeanour which seemed to say "I can actually play you know, I'm only with these guys for the money"
C. Need to grow up and act your age
White Lies
With ear drums almost perforated by juvenile screaming, and my apologies to Jen, we nevertheless did achieve the aim of almost getting to the front for White Lies. First time I had seen this lot and very impressed. Much better than on record, just because of the power of delivery. I really like this almost Goth style of music, but totally shorn of all the Goth crap fashion and pretension
A
Florence and the Machine
What can I say? Stand out performance of the weekend. Stunning voice, tremendous stage presence, theatrical, just awesome in every way. Florence Welsh is a real bona fide star. Stunning
A*
Kings Of Leon
The big headline act, but for me just a little disappointing. Never seen them before, and nothing wrong with them, but just felt a little perfunctory. And maybe now I was getting tired and bed beckoned, after some late night travel
B+
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