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Review by Rob.

The V Festival returned to its usual locations in Staffordshire and Chelmsford in 2005. It now appears well established in these venues after a fairly nomadic early existence. Building on its reputation of getting some of the biggest bands in the world, playing fairly one off shows, 2005 saw headliners Oasis and Scissor Sisters make their only 2005 festival appearances in the UK. Other established acts appearing included The Music, Doves, The Prodigy, Super Furry Animals, Ian Brown and The Hives.

Last years young guns were represented by Franz Ferdinand (here to preview their second album), The Ordinary Boys, Jet, The Zutons, Goldie Lookin' chain (to offend the mums), and The Stands. Sure to draw huge crowds would be the Kaiser Chiefs and The Magic Numbers both currently hugely popular, and for the mums (Those who hadn't been scared off by the GLC) we had Tony Christie. For the more conservative of festival goers, and there are loads at this festival, there was Joss Stone and Embrace. Whilst the Las continued their Lazarus like comeback. Other old timers gracing the bill were Robert Plant and Sonic Youth. V2005 was also notable for the fact that The Others didn't actually appear on the bill.

Preston - Fine skanking tunes

I made a quite late decision to go to this festival, 10.00pm on the friday night to be exact. So it was an early morning dash across country to Weston Park on a glorious August morning. I was mainly drawn by the prospect of seeing some bands i knew I would only see once this year, Franz Ferdinand and the Scissor Sisters. Also the Prodigy are one of my favourite live acts and I hadn't seen them since they played a blinder at Leeds 2002 on the Guns n Roses bill. Before all that though there was the early Saturday stuff to check out.

It was surprisingly easy to get in get parked and pick up my ticket on the day,perhaps this is they way to do it. Unfortunately my late arrival consigned me to kipping in the luggage tent,comfy enough when you have had a few though. There was just time for a couple of beers and some 'special' dairy milk that was definitely not made in the Cadbury factory, then it was time to go in. Beers sorted and sun cream on we went to watch Rooster playing some dullish bluesey rock that the kids seemed to like. Remarkably this was the third time this summer that i have seen Idlewild. They play pretty much the same set as on the other 2 times and its very pleasant stuff,perfect for a summer afternoon. 'American English' is one of the finest songs we will hear today. Now go away and write that classic album boys. We skip Tony Christie and the Amarillo nonsense and head for the Channel 4 stage to see I am Kloot. Its nice 60s tinged pop with a darkish edge which sometimes goes into velvets territory. I will look up some of their recorded output after this. After a bit of a lull it was time to head back to the Channel 4 for The Ordinary Boys. They are the first band to really get the crowd going with some fine skanking tunes. New single 'Boys will be Boys' is excellent and debut album faves 'Week in Week out' and 'Seaside' smolder. Superb stuff.

By way of an interlude from the big bands I head to the Volvic new bands tent to see The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. The former Smashing Pumpkins drummer's band play a lot of instrumental stuff, its very proggy, very atmospheric and I loved it. Now what odds on a pumpkins revival and a headline date at Download 2006, Thought not. I see a little of Embrace but find them a little dull. Best song is 'Gravity' which they didn't write. I miss 'All you good good people' as it was time for The Music. As they came out and hit the first notes of 'Take the long road and walk it' it was clear it was gonna be a good show. They have the happy knack of making great rock that you can also dance to. 'Freedom fighters', 'Getaway' and 'The Dance' all do the business. Though they play to a surprisingly small crowd they scoop the band of the day award with ease.

I was really looking forward to seeing Franz Ferdinand to hear the new stuff, and they didn't disappoint, playing most of the new album with choice cuts from the debut. We get 'Matinee', 'Take me out' and 'Darts of Pleasure'. New single 'Do you want to' is shaping up to be their best song to date but most of the new stuff is the equal to if not better than the debut album. Watch for them headlining somewhere like the Carling weekend next year. Headlining this time are The Scissor Sisters and boy is it a glitzy show. The only act to have a stage show, they transform the V stage to a seedy New York Disco where they tease the audience with 'Filthy/Gorgeous' and that Pink Floyd cover. There is not much new stuff on offer but I guess if you have a debut as good as theirs you might as well get the most out of it.

Prodigy - Still got the blues

I don't really want to leave them early but needs must because The Prodigy are rounding off proceedings on the Channel 4. They have a best of coming out soon and they celebrate this by playing lots of old stuff. Only 'Spitfire' from the last album is aired and there's no sign of one off single, the terrible 'Baby's Got a Temper'. Keith is back in the fold, but its Maxim who steals the show breathing new life into 'Voodoo People' and Their Law. 'Smack my Bitch up' ends it in triumph and there's just time to walk past the JJB Arena to hear Ian Brown do 'I Wanna be Adored' apparently the only Roses song he aired tonight, result!

Right i'm knackered where's that luggage tent.

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Kaiser Chiefs - Sport hurts

Well good afternoon viewers and welcome to the Stadium de la Weston Park.and what a treat we have lined up for you. A clash of the up and coming acts versus one or two old heads. We are surely in for a few dramatic twists and turns over the next few hours. Who will come out on top and be crowned champions this year? Find out as we rate the bands by football team and other remarkably tenuous round ball links. Who will be Chelsea FC and who will be Southsea FC. Lets get that whistle blown

Kicking off (ahem) we have Scouse chancers The Stands. This lot have been around for a while and unusually have the staunch support of a manc, namely Noel Gallagher. They play a pleasant set of sub Coral material with a countryish edge in places. Nice but probably to remain in the lower leagues. Footy rating Tranmere Rovers. This year Goldie Looking Chain have graduated to the main stage. Not that this curbs their swearing as about 253 'fucks' are heard during the first song. Hopefully they pissed off the huge conservative throng who sit down at the back and then complain they can't see, this year thankfully chairs are banned from the arena. GLC run through a frantic set with a large chunk of the new 'Safe as fuck' album yielding gems such as 'Adams charm school' with its Grange Hill sample, and 'Sister' whose chorus goes "If you leave me now can i fuck your sister and her best mate?" Old classic 'Your mothers got a penis' finishes a show that seemed to make everyone laugh a lot and set us up for the day. Footy rating Newi Cefn Druids.

"He's big he's scouse he's gonna rob yer house Lee Mavers Lee Mavers" Yes The Las are back. This lot were going places around 1990 with a superb debut album that in all truth was probably 10 years ahead of its time. Poor team spirit and dressing room disharmony led to a break up, Cast were spawned and off they went, until now that is. Back together and with new songs Mavers,Power and the rest want us to love them again. However V only wants to hear one song. 'There she goes is duly blasted out half way through and the crowd thins. Which is a shame because 'Doledrum', 'Feelin' 'Son of a gun' et al sparkle in the afternoon sun. Footy rating: Notts Forest. Crowd congestion delays the kick off of the new kids on the block the Magic Numbers. It also delays my appearance at the 4 stage but I get there in time to see half the set. Even from the back they sound great, it must have been awesome down the front. Footy rating West Ham.

SFA and GLC- Attempt to break the Polyphonic Spree record for most people on a stage

Christ there's a lot of scousers about today. At least the Zutons are big league now. And they know it, running through the debut album highlights and slagging off Man Utd. Footy rating: it can only be Liverpool. Its been bloody hot today,too hot at times but we walk off the the 4 again. Its the men in black next, not the stranglers but the Bravery. They appear to have pulled a huge crowd but most are early for the next band. However they seize the moment and play a fiery set, even smashing the drums. Its rock and roll and V likes it. Footy rating: Juventus. By now all of V or so it seems is in too small a space around this stage. The Kaiser Chiefs amazing year continues now but there is clearly something wrong. The band whilst technically great seem a bit lacklustre. Then the reason is spotted - Ricky Wilson is injured. He has refused to come off and plays on with crutches. Whilst lesser mortals would whinge about injuries to the side (Or at least roll over 10 times to try to get someone booked) this lot take it in their stride and ultimately win the day. Footy rating: The Kaiser Chiefs of course. In years to come Doves will be recognised as one of the UK's great bands. Tonight they are introduced by Peter Kay effortlessly putting down hecklers "If someone offers you a penny for your thoughts son, sell" Pounding is a great opener, Black and white town one of the singles of the year, and 'Snowdon' one of the most powerful songs you will hear all weekend. They leave us with 'Satellites' and 'There goes the fear' and everyone is happy. Footy rating: AC Milan.

Now then Oasis, Oasis Oasis. Quite why people see them as a great live act i can never fathom out. I think its largely the looking at a car crash type mentality when people want to see Liam have a paddy and storm off. You know you shouldn't but you want him to. It dost happen tonight but then again again not much else does either. All the songs are there well played and all that but it dost do it for me. Most of the others seem to love them it has to be said, so maybe its just me. Footy rating: Chelsea. So I take the Doves advice and go to see the Super Furry Animals on impulse. Though they get only a short time on stage due to technical difficulties they are simply awesome managing to fit in the hits Hello Sunshine, Rings around the world and juxtapose, along with some new stuff. The highlight is the guest appearance of all of Goldie Lookin Chain on the tiny stage for 'Mother Fokker'. They end as always with Man don't give a fuck. Its still as powerful as it was in 1995. Then comedy end credits roll and they are gone. They may have been last but they are band of the festival by a mile and a reminder to me to get more of their back catalogue. Criminally underrated they play the role of the underdog to perfection. Footy rating: Wimbledon 1988 cup final. So that's it then sports fans, join us nest year when I liken all the bands to famous 70s snooker players (or perhaps not).

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