Andrew Butcher
Friday.
After missing the 2003 incarnation of my hometown festival because the
lineup was poor and I had already purchased tickets for V2003, I was glad to
be back in more familiar surroundings. Living in the area near Reading means
I can go for the whole weekend without camping, which may seem wimpy but if
I did camp I 'd just give in and go home for a shower/clean toilet and waste
valuble band watching time.
We waded in thorugh the mus as GLC left the stage. Having had the misfortune
of seeing them support the Darkness in feb, I was very glad I missed them.
Guns don't kill music, welsh rappers do. Then onto Reel Big Fish, another
band I can't stand so I won't bother trying to give a balanced review!
Hundred Reasons were really good, it's the third time I've seen them and I
was surpirsed how much the crowd seemed to warm to them after the poor sales
of "Shatterproof is not a Challenge". J5 were much better however, I had
been looking forward to seeing them since it was annouced and they didn't
dissappoint! It was like Run - DMC in 2001 all over again, as J5 made the
afternoon their own. Ever them getting us to yell England like morons was
lapped up by a crowd having a great time. The Distillers managed to follow
this by being one of the worst acts of the weekend. Burger time!Actually we
stunmbled in the dance tent and had the misfortune of seeing 5mins of
Shystie!!!
The Hives were their usual entertaining selves, although I was surprised
that "Walk Idiot Walk" got a better reception around us than "Hate To Say I
Told You So". Pelle was howlin' like the wind and they more than made up for
The Distillers being shit. Ash put in their usual good workmen(and woman)
performance. Having seen them 3 times, I still haven't seen a great Ash
performance that everyone I know raves about. Maybe they just don't like
festivals! Saw the first few Offsprings songs, enjoyed that, went off to see
Roots Manuva, but he was running late so missed him and most of the
Offspring, which peed me right off! Went to see the Darkness, it was the
third time I've seen them, but this was by far and away the largest crowd
I've been in for them! Entertainment wise, its the best I've ever seen them,
but worryingly I knew the exact set list from memory of the other two times
I'd seen them bar the two god-awful new songs..... Hazel Eyes sounded like a
cross between Second Coming Stone Roses and Poison!I fear for their future
even though I do think they are a good band!
Saturday,
Got in after Razorlight ended, glad I missed them because they weren't too
good when I saw them support Suede in November. The New York Dolls were
fantastic, playing like their very lives depended on it. There may only be
two of them left, but they were still better than most of the bands over the
weekend. The Roots were great, nice to chill out to before FF arrived. FF
were even better than the last time I saw them, due the increased size of
the crowd from 1,000 in small hall in portsmouth to just about evryone at
the festival!!Michael was my set highlight, but i'm sure most people would
argue take me out was better!The Libs arrived to a huge cheer, with me
secretly hoping as pete was in Reading over the weekend, he would gatecrash
the set!It didn't happen adn despite the large crowd, no one actually seemed
to know any of their songs! Then the moment I'd been waiting for arrived,
Morrissey walked out. We had been discussing what song he might open with,
How soon is now? was discounted because he never plays that anymore......He
was the best act of the weekend by a long way!Went to see A because the
white stripes suck and A are a great live band!
Sunday
Got in late, missed the Rasmus, but many others hit them apprently! The
Streets bored everyone by playing a very slow set.Lost Prophets were good
from what I saw. Went to see British Sea Power and enjoyed a madcap 45
minutes of branches being waved by the crowd. They were excellent and are
well worth investigating. Waited for 50 cent to arrive. I don't think I've
ever had so much fun in my life. I really enjoyed his set and sang along
regardless, as did many other people around me. From where i was the crowd
seemed split between those of us like me who wanted 50 to stay on and those
trying to remove him from office. I was so glad that G Unit were chucking
stuff back out!It made brilliant viewing, to see who was going to win the
battle.Ultimately the bottlers in the crowd won but it was a close run
thing! I must say though those were bottling him around us didn't give me
and my mates any grief for wanting to see him, so thanks to all you nameless
faces!! after 50's premature demise I went to the Radio One Tent to see The
Von Bondies and Supergrass, because having seen Green Day twice before I
knew all about the dragging people from the crowd and billy-joes endless use
of "I said HHHHHHAAAAAAYYYYYYY OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". The Von Bondies started
well, but get worse, having seen them play much better twice before this
year I was a little let down. Their bassist left the other day and looking
back I can see why they seemed to tire and lose intrest! Supergrass however
were on fire and the acoustic section in the middle of their set was
amazing. As Greenday ended the tent filled up to breaking point and the
crowd went mental for the final hit-filled 20mins! What a great end to a
perfect weekend!All hail king Mozza!
