V festival never fails to be one of my highlights of the year, and 2010 was no exception. On Friday morning I packed my bags and set off for the weekend with my V festival camping pass feeling very excited! I have to say, I was not disappointed.
Having the opportunity to arrive at the park on the Friday, gives festival goers the chance to set up camp, and prepare themselves for a fun-filled weekend of entertainment.
With the music kicking off at noon on Saturday it gives you a chance to check out the park facilities beforehand. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t arrive too early!
V festival packs in the entertainment and conveniences for the crowd, which are available from the Friday, including a funfair, numerous stalls selling clothing, camping goods (very convenient if you forget your sleeping bag!), festival hats (which I think is a must) and accessories, bars and food galore.
This is all topped off with a fabulous evening disco in the Nissan Juke Arena playing the highlights of the weekend to come, just to get you in the mood. For those who can’t sleep, they even show late night films after the disco.
So, after a difficult time studying my official festival programme trying to decide which artists I would go and see, Saturday 12noon was finally here! For me, it has to be the main V stage to kick off the weekend with. There seems to be something special about waiting for the first band of the first day to come onto the main stage. The crowd have this “buzz” about them which is quite electrifying.
On reflection, the whole arena has got an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.
With the weather being a bit unpredictable for the Saturday at Weston, it was uncanny that the clouds came over and the rain came just as Pixie Lott launched into her set on the V stage. This did not however, dampen the spirits of the onlookers, of whom many simply donned their waterproofs (although many grinned and bared it!) and sang along.
It was a great way to start the Saturday, and with a few of her hits, fabulous and well timed covers got the crowd going and made them forget about the rain.
After that, the rain died down, the sun came out, and the tunes just kept on coming! What can I say, with established and well loved artists such as Madness, Doves, Pet Shop Boys, and Faithless, along with up-and-coming artists such as Tiffany Page, Matthew P and Eliza Doolittle, the multi-DJ line up in the Strongbow Bowtime Bar and Bacardi B-Live tent, you had a difficult choice on Saturday!
As for the headliners? Kasabian were performing their first major UK headlining festival act on the V stage, and Prodigy, on the back of their hugely successful album – Invaders must die, were calling their warriors on the 4 Music stage. What more could you ask for!
One of my surprises on the Saturday was the discovery of the new Mansion from Virgin Media and Ovi by Nokia. Advertised as “your dream home away from home” and I must agree. This was a good way to spend a few moments chilling out in the media room, with free Wi-Fi for your mobile or tweeting at the laptop bar, checking out the 3-D TV and games, or just grabbing a drink at the bar. The Mansion certainly took the place of the tent pit-stop which I would normally make during the day.
So, after moshing in the pit with the fans at Prodigy, then a cold beer and chin wag with friends in V Healthy chill-out area at the end of the night, it was time to take our weary legs off to bed.
Sunday proved to be another great day of music, with the day kicking off with Feeder on the V stage. Another barrage of great anthems to please the crowd.
The sun was shining and an equally entertaining day of artists lay ahead; from relaxing on a blanket to Magic Numbers, to punching the air and chanting to Goldie Looking Chain, there was just as much choice and variation for the festival goers.
Scouting for girls were a great hit with the crowd, belting out chart toppers and sparking sing-a-long’s which even took the band by surprise. Stereophonics were superb, as expected, and Florence and the Machine entertained on the 4 Music stage.
The Mansion came in handy again on Sunday, as did V Healthy and a mobile charging point! Batteries recharged (mobile and physical!), it was time for the headlining acts. This included David Guetta, The Charlatans and the ever increasingly popular Kings of Leon. Sunday did not disappoint either!
I took the option to camp again on the Sunday night, leaving a night to rest before packing up to go home Monday morning. This proved to be a good idea, as although it is always sad to leave behind some great memories, and the thought of the working week fast approaching, it was great to wake up to the continuing buzz of festival goers on the Monday.
This made taking the tent down and the walk to the car somewhat more enjoyable as people continued to laugh, and enjoy themselves to the max.
So, on reflection, with 129 acts over 6 stages, and much more entertainment from Friday through until Monday, my V festival ticket for 2011 is already bought, is yours? If it isn’t then it should be!
For more details about the V Festival 2011 visit the official V Festival Website – vfestival.com