Monday 20 August 2012

Live in pictures: V Festival 2012 - Chelmsford (Day 1)

It was unbelievably hot and sunny at V Festival in Chelmsford this year (we didn't complain, knowing how many other events had been washed out this year). Saturday was really all about the headliners, but we took some other acts in along the way, starting with The Twang who displayed a knack for wearing unnecessary headgear and playing baggy tunes:

The Twang on the 4Music Stage, V Festival 18/8/12
Next up was Inspiral Carpets, and a chance to remember just how good a song 'This Is How It Feels' actually is. 'She Comes In The Fall' and 'Saturn 5' also sounded great in the sunshine.

Inspiral Carpets, V Festival 18/8/12
A trip to the Arena Stage gave us some much needed shade while we listened to Jack Beats energetic sounds, and then it was back out into the sun to hear last-minute replacements (and much better option than Dappy) The Charlatans.

The Charlatans play to a packed crowd at V Festival 18/8/12
Labrinth was up next on the 4Music stage, the brightness of his shorts matching the vibe of his set, full of upbeat tracks which showed that he's probably a lot more talented than some people give him credit for.

Labrinth, 4Music Stage, V Festival 18/8/12

Next we bounced around in the sun to Example (no pictures of this - too many hands in the air!), and then it was time to don our singing heads for Noel Gallagher's set. He struck a great balance of the best songs from his solo album with some classic Oasis tunes.

Noel G in the sunshine on the Main Stage at V Festival 18/8/12
An acoustic 'Supersonic' (dedicated to Mo Farrah) went down particularly well, as did 'Half A World Away' and the mass singalong for set-closer 'Don't Look Back In Anger'.

Noel rocks out on the Main Stage, V Festival 18/8/12
And so to a headline set that even this time last year was completely unimaginable. The Stone Roses played the whole of their debut album and a few choice cuts from 'The Second Coming' looking like they were the best of friends and would be together until the actual Second Coming. With Ian Brown looking resplendent in his customer-made Roses hoodie they kicked off with 'I Wanna Be Adored' and we immediately awesome.

They were adored - The Stone Roses at V Festival 18/8/12
For me the set sagged a little bit in the middle when they played 'Something's Burning', but from the moment they followed it up with the double header of 'Waterfall' and 'Don't Stop' they were astonishingly good. The show ended as it should do with 'I Am The Resurrection' and mass hugs, both onstage and among the crowd. They left the stage to the sound of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' and a massive firework display having given us all a truly unforgettable experience.

The Stone Roses, V Festival 18/8/12


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