V Festival Day 1 @ Weston Park, 22nd August 2015
Another V Festival has come and gone and what an exciting and liberating time it has been for all festival-goers all around the UK. V Festival has always been about a wide range of music and people having a good time. Brumlive’s Samantha Harrison and Andy Watson did their level best to give us a glimpse of everyone who appeared over the weekend
Saturday showed the usual eclectic mix of artists that underline the festival appeal from the jazz and soul of Gregory Porter and Ella Eyre, to the indie of The Kooks and finally rocking out with Stereophonics.
The atmosphere Saturday was incredible all around Weston Park. The anticipation of what was going to happen throughout the day was buzzing through the air.
George Ezra with his surname in huge letters across the V Fest, main stage mesmerized the flocks of people with this performance. The 22-year-old sang his trusty hit songs ‘Budapest’ and ‘Blame It On Me’ which the crowd sang back to him. He also did a cover of Macy Gray’s ‘I Try’.
Paloma Faith is best known for her fashion sense and her incredible singing talent. Closing the night by headlining in the Sure Arena, ‘The Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ singer was possibly just as noticeable for her beautiful dress as her amazing talent. It was clear to see that Paloma was enjoying her performance to a packed audience. The singer, danced her way though a set-list of her latest and greatest hits, accompanied by a band of suavely dressed musicians.
The Script provided the perfect sing-a-long set that fans loved including hits ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, ‘Superheroes’ and ‘For The First Time’. The Script also brought an amazing stage set up with them that matched perfectly with the fantastic set list that got everybody singing and dancing. Despite the weather, The Script gave it their all and it really showed how happy they were to be performing at V Festival. They deserve all the praise that they are getting at the moment and should be proud of themselves with an amazing V Festival performance under their belts.
Ellie Goulding appeared at home on the V Fest main stage while she danced her way through 45 minutes of her pop hits. The atmosphere was incredible while she was encouraging her audience to sing and dance along side her. The crowd did just that and danced all the way from Ellie’s breakthrough hit ‘Starry Eyed’ to the crowds’ favourites ‘Anything Can Happen’ and ‘Burn’. Despite the rain, festival-goers all went crazy and forgot about the weather.
A friend and collaborator of Ellie Goulding’s, closed Saturday Nights antics with a bang. Calvin Harris performance was frantic, and full of fun which was mirrored all over the V Festival main stage crowd. While watching Calvin Harris you realise how many hit records this 31-year-old producer has churned out over the past few years. Calvin Harris’ set was spectacular to watch, with him standing on top of a huge podium surrounded by lasers, flames and to make it even more spectacular, fireworks. With a set list that was destined for the sunny weather, Calvin showed off some of his collaborations, including those with Rihanna, Florence Welch and fresh from the stage Ellie Goulding. Calvin Harris blew up the festival, and the generators literally, with his explosive, energetic set but I will be thrilled to see him live again when the opportunity comes around.
A great first day with people determined to have a good time in spite of a bit of rain.
Review: Samantha Harrison
Photographs: Andy Watson