With the highly anticipated V Festival line-up finally announced, will the residents of Chelmsford and festival fans across the country be celebrating another fantastic line-up?
This year’s headliners include The Killers, who last performed at the Hylands Park festival in 2009. The band, fronted by Brandon Flowers, had a great live performance and a set complete with all of their biggest hits, including crowd-favourite ‘Mr Brightside’, which was very much supported by a chorus of tens-of-thousands spectators. With news of a new album on its way for the summer, it’s sure that festival go-ers will be entertained by new tracks, as well as all the classics, for a superb headlining set.
The Stones Roses complete the pair of headliners for the 2012 festival and prove the mass speculation that was held over their appearance. Since the news of the end of their fifteen-year split in October 2011, rumours have circulated the internet that the band would appear at V Festival. With many live shows throughout the summer, it seems only right that they travel to Chelmsford, and to Weston Park in Staffordshire, for the annual V Festival. However, reports of their appearance at the festival have not necessarily been the news that youngsters in Chelmsford have wanted to hear. With the band’s success taking place in the 80s and early 90s, many of the regular festival go-ers may not be familiar with their work. Nevertheless, all other visitors who are aware of the group will be elated at the news and will thoroughly enjoy the sounds of this alternative rock band as the sun sets over Hylands Park in August.
From one reformed group to another, The Happy Mondays will also be appearing at V, following on from the news of their reunion in January this year. The band last attended V in 2007, when they were a last minute replacement for Amy Winehouse. Hopefully the crowds will take to Shaun Ryder’s appearance better this year than they did in 2010, when he was booed off stage after scheduling confusion led to Peter Andre fans believing that the Australian singer was due to appear!
After an electrifying performance at the BRIT Awards last Tuesday, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have also been announced to perform at V Festival. After disbanding from Oasis just a week after they pulled out of 2009’s V Festival, due to brother Liam’s laryngitis, Noel is back, but this time on his own. With a number one album last summer, Noel’s popularity continues. Expectations will be very high for this performance; this is one act on the bill that should not be missed.
When Oasis pulled out in 2009, Irish rockers Snow Patrol were pushed up the line-up to headline the Main Stage on the final night of the festival, with a performance that did not disappoint. Having seen Snow Patrol twice at the festival, I would personally say that they are some of the finest musicians I have seen. Frontman Gary Lightbody has such appreciation and wonder of the crowd in front of him, adding to his charming and endearing stage persona.
Many of the acts who appeared at last year’s V Festival return for a second year, including Tinie Tempah, Example, Olly Murs and Rizzle Kicks – four acts who are sure to pack out crowds of people with their chart-successful tracks. Having seen all four within the past year, I know that their gigs and performances are always complete with masses of energy and exuberance. Perhaps Labrinth, who has also been announced to perform, will collaborate with Tinie Tempah to perform their Number Two hit single ‘Earthquake’.
Joining Olly Murs in bringing the Essex Factor to the festival is Brentwood’s Pixie Lott, who performs yet again, after opening the main stage in 2010.
BRITs favourite Ed Sheeran has been a very much celebrated artist the past year and he is therefore a fantastic addition to the line-up. With thousands of fans, including over 1.5 million followers on Twitter, Ed will attract a very large audience, who will all turn out to watch a sophisticated and stripped-back performance from one of the most modest and unassuming men in Pop.
Other BRIT-nominated artists appearing on the bill include rapper, Professor Green, Scottish-songstress, Emeli Sandé, as well as French DJ, David Guetta, who headlined the 4Music stage in 2010, and American rapper, Nicki Minaj.
The fun-factor will be very much applied through performances by Madness and The Proclaimers, who both return once again to the festival. With their notorious songs, these two artists never fail to have the crowd in chorus. Welsh superstar Tom Jones will also appear and with such an abundance of hits, people of all ages will be excited to hear him serenade the crowds with ‘Delilah’, ‘It’s not unusual’ and ‘Sexbomb’.
With many other performers on the bill, including James Morrison, Keane, Maverick Sabre, Noah & The Whale, Nero, Friendly Fires, The Ting Tings, Ben Howard, Miles Kane, as well as many more to be announced, I believe that festival fans across Essex should be rejoicing at how very fortunate we are to have such a top-class music event right on our doorstep.
