The day started well. With me slipping down the back lanes adjacent to the site. So at 12 noon I present myself at the gates. 13:15 I'm approximately two feet closer to the entrance. The delay seems to be due to security requiring a full body search to ensure no contraband is brought on site. They're particularly vigilant about food and bottled water. The thought process seems to be - starve people to a sufficient extent, and they will buy your overpriced slop. In fact, Virgin Cola is very much a metaphor for the whole V experience - inferior copy of an original concept; hugely overpriced; leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth.....
I finally get in the site, just in time for the LA's. I rounded the crest of the hill to be affronted by an unholy caterwaullling. Are they still soundchecking? Was that a scabrous roadie on the mike? No, it was Lee Mavers pissing away 15 years of indie credibility. There's Toxteth winos singing for slops who could give a better rendition of 'There She Goes'. I made my excuses and left.
Despite the darkening clounds over Chelmsford, 5 minutes of Steven Fretwell (ironically on the Volvic Stage) was enough to convince me that he was the wettest thing I'd be seeing all day. Steven's oh so sensitive crooning was followed by this week's Keane wannabees: Morning Runner. A band so beholden to corportate-rock whoredom, they make Thireteen Senses sound like Shellac.
I fought my way through the crowds past the Bacardi tent. This was obviously the high-point of the weekend for most of the attendees. Dressed tip to toe in whatever Heat Magazine feels is rock-chick couture this week, chugging down the cornucopia of flavours on offer: lemon, blackberry, melon, cranberry (surely only a matter of time before they reach the logical conclusion and bring out vomit flavour).
Catching the end of an agreeably barking set from the Polyphonic Spree, I slide onto the rail, ready for Sonic Youth. This does of course mean I'm joined by 'The Worlds Biggest Sonic Youth Fan', positively wetting himself with excitement, and eager to share "do you think they'll play <insert obscure deleted b-side>". But, a few bars into 'Teen Age Riot', and I may well be the 'Worlds 2nd biggest Sonic Youth Fan'.
Right up to the moment Robert Plant takes the stage. Plant is spectacular. I'm enjoying it almost as much as his band - "we're getting paid....to play Led Zep riffs....excellent!!". He encore's with 'Whole Lotta Love' which is utterly amazing. The old boy has still definitely got it. Somewhere on another stage, Oasis are playing, it really doesn't seem to matter.....
So V: full of Essex boys, hugely overpriced, ridiculously crowded, shockingly organised, stuffed with easy-listening filler, and.....really great.
Mostly I saw:
Tom Vek
The Departure
The La's
The Magic Numbers
Presidents of the United State of America
KT Tunstall
The Kooks
Morning Runner
Lucie Silvas
The Bravery
Stephen Fretwell
The Polyphonic Spree
Sonic Youth
Robert Plant
Oasis
Chemical Brothers
