V Festival Day 2 @ Weston Park, 23nd August 2015
With the spirit of Calvin Harris still running through the park everybody at Weston Park was excited to see what the day had to offer but more importantly what the weather was going to be like! Very quickly mud-spattered festival-goers were up and out to see the likes of Imelda May, James Bay, Marina and The Diamonds and Ashton Merrygold.
The Proclaimers got the crowd dancing and singing along with the bands traditional folk pop sound. The crowd, many who were just there for mega hit ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ seemed to be having a wonderful time grabbing a partner for a quick dance. Midway through the set Craig informed the crowd that they had an earlier set time because ‘we are getting old and we have to get to bed early’. However, there was no way the duo would be crawling back to bed without giving the crowd what they were there to hear. With the opening chords to ‘I’m Gonna Be’ an expected roar from the crowd followed before the brothers thanked the crowd and left the stage.
Olly Murs was headlining on the MTV Stage and pulled a few surprises out the bag. The cheeky chappy sang his heart out with renditions of ‘Please Don’t Let Me Go’ and ‘Dance With Me Tonight’. He then brought Ella Eyre out on stage with him to sing his song ‘Up’ which features Demi Lovato on the original track. However, there was an even bigger surprise that fans didn’t expect in the slightest. Olly Murs then welcomed out ‘DJ Luck’ and ‘MC Neat’ to join him for a number of garage hits including ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’. In traditional Olly Murs style, he finished his set with his latest biggest hits ‘Wrapped Up’ and Trouble Maker’, which fans loved and sang the lyrics back to him.
V Festival was Sam Smiths’s final ‘In The Lonely Hour’ tour date, and to the audiences delight he performed all his biggest hits including ‘I Know I’m Not The Only One’ and ‘Like I Can’ before finishing on ‘Stay With Me’. Sam Smith provided a dreamy; sing-along set but turned it up a notch with his rendition of Disclosure collaboration ‘Latch’. This got all of the crowd not only singing, but dancing along too. After watching that set I think Sam Smith has the potential to headline a festival such as V Festival.
Tom Jones supporters were out in force on Sunday, when he hit the stage. The 75-year old belted out some classics including ‘Delilah’ and ‘Its Not Unusual’. Backed by a seven-piece band, the classics that everybody knows and loves were given slight makeovers. This made it a tease for the crowd, who were trying to guess each song. When it comes down to showmanship, Jones is excellent and his stage presence is amazing. Hits such as ‘Sex Bomb’ and ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’ were reminders on Jones’ personality and his ability to deliver a saucy message in a fun way.
Not even the mud bath could keep the crowd from their favourites throughout the day: Hozier, Chvrches, Jessie Ware and Labrinth all going down a storm.
Kasbian are not shy of the V Festival stage so knowing they would be closing V Festival at Weston Park would be no disappointment. From the start of the set, all the way through to the end, they proved their headline credentials. ‘Shoot The Runner’ finds Meighan on the big screen in a bright pink silhouette. I thought this was a real good effect, which got the crowd going. It was followed up rapidly by the brilliant ‘Eez-Eh’ then ‘Underdog’. Throughout the set the music just got better and better and the thrill ride of it all was starting to make it feel like the greatest gig ever.
V Festival at Weston Park was a great weekend!
Review: Samantha Harrison
Photographs: Andy Watson