V Festival Chelmsford Day Two

The weather was supposed to turn today with showers mid afternoon, so after the t-shirt weather of Saturday we were armed with waterproofs. Grey weather then for the Proclaimers, but they are the perfect band to start off a festival and get the crowd in the mood. They have managed to make a career out of two songs, Letter from America and of course 500 miles. Its is the law that they have to finish a set with 500 miles, and their achievement is that however much more music you hear all day, that is the tune you can't get out of your head.

It didn't take long before the heavens opened and James realised that his waterproof leaked. Luckily mine didn't!

In the pouring rain I got my fix of Ian McCulloch and Echo & the The Bunnymen. Love this band despite Ian's grumpiness. I don't think he likes festivals. He announced the Killing Moon as the best song ever written. Well, close in my view. Would have loved a much longer sett than this early afternoon slot.

 Tripping back to the Main Stage we caught a little of the buxom Ella Henderson. Afraid she did nothing for us, and we decided she wasn't worth getting wet for. So after one song we headed for the shelter of the comedy tent.

 The comedy tent yielded one of the best performances of the weekend in the shape of Russell Kane. Given the downpour this was a popular venue and the large crowd for the previous act Andy Robinson was almost entirely weather inspired.

Russell Kane's show was nothing short of brilliant, both lots of good lines, but also generally interesting and engaging as well as funny. Top two themes were one of a British characteristic of going from repressed traditional Englishman to total "Marbella" excess with no middle-gears in between, and another of always striving for the next step, and only on reaching it how much you actually want the place you just left. You want to move out and have your own place, only to find yourself looking back down and shouting "mum, mum, please do my washing".

He was totally terrific and I definitely want to see a full live show.

Now the rain was clearing up, so we headed out and caught the end of the Kooks. They are a more accomplished act now than when I first saw them years ago. Would have liked to catch more of them.

Next on the main stage was George Ezra. We were both curious to see this young man live. How o describe him? Well he is a singer songwriter with a good voice, and amazingly deep one for such a young man. And you can't deny he is a good looking boy. But... well just a bit dull. We didn't hang around long but left space for more young female admirers to get a view that we weren't really appreciating.

Instead we headed of to the V Stage to catch an old timer, Tim Burgess with the Charlatans. I have to say I loved this set. Tim is ideal as an example of a middle-aged rock star, and the Charlatans have just kept ion going when all their contemporaries from the Manchester scene faded away in a cloud of drugs and mutual loathing.

The best thing I can say about Kodaline that followed is that they are highly photogenic. Irish indie band who largely trade on their looks in my view. Bit boring, and all too finely rehearsed and earnest.

 Clean Bandit were much more fun. Great dance band, really got the crowd going. Great performers. And a lot of them on stage. Not a stereotypical band, the main members met at Cambridge University and the violinist is classically trained. But its bouncy, showy dance stuff that they produce., I really only knew the single "Rather Be" on which they went out, but enjoyed the whole performance immensely.

 That only left the Stereophonics to close the whole weekend for us. And they were my undoubted highlight. Fabulous performance. Kelly Jones has the perfect gravelly rock voice, and they have a wonderful back catalogue of memorable songs amongst which to drop a few new ones. The famous tune from the Office "Handbags and Gladrags", "Mr Writer", "A Thousand Trees", "Just  Looking" , the superb "Bartender & the Thief" were all belted out," culminating in "Have a Nice Day" as we headed out for the late night train.