Commercialisation. It is often a word that tars the V Festival, more so in recent times, and perhaps fairly so considering this years line up.
Mika, Tine Tempah and Professor Green feature predominantly amongst other such artists lorded by your local radio station. However, amongst the rubble, there are some real gems, some of which aren't exactly hidden away. Indeed, a number of the headliners are renowned for producing spot on live sets, and Saturday night top dogs Kasabian certainly don't disappoint, showcasing an array of belting numbers spanning three top notch records, some of which have become a feature of the V Festival in years gone by.
Prior to this, Manchester's Doves demonstrated their durability, with 'Black and White Town' going down just as well as the stormy conditions, a real uplifting, menacing anthem which compliments the more orchestral sounds of 'Kingdom Of Rust' and 'Winter Hill' from latest offering of the former titled album.
Way before the sun started to set, even before it was visible through the bleakness of what is fast befitting of an August afternoon, Shed 7 drew a big crowd on the Channel Four Stage, and the echoes of 'Chasing Rainbows' reverberated through the Staffordshire countryside long after the Yorkshire band had retreated into the relative warmth of backstage.
Feel good factors are often lapped up at festival's, and Madness certainly offer that in abundance to those in the vicinity of the main stage with their mid 80's skanking, although it becomes increasingly difficult to envisage 'Suggs' prancing away without a big 'Birds-Eye' banner creeping from behind the mist in the background. Perhaps it's not surprising they chose Richard Branson's reputedly well paid event to pump out a greatest hits catalogue.
Main-stage Sunday appears to be a different kettle of fish, and it is Feeder who provide a much required wake up call for those still nursing a hangover. It would be difficult to find an artist more fitted to resurrecting a weary crowd, and the much travelled three piece certainly don't disappoint with classic "Buck Rodgers" putting a spring in the step on what has blossomed into a very pleasant early afternoon.
Perhaps what is a tad surprising is the sparseness which greets Liverpudlians The Coral, and the ease of re-positioning yourself within spitting distance of the stage. The scouse lads comfortably rise to the challenge, and reflect the fact that they are fast becoming 'old-timers', effortlessly combining a blend of new material with crowd pleasers 'Dreaming of You' and 'In the Morning'.
Stick with what's on offer, or fulfil a very guilty pleasure? Well everyone is allowed at least one, surely? Jason Derulo with chart assaulting hits such as 'Ridin' Solo' and 'Watcha Say' is a definite pull, and surely with Editors and Paul Weller for competition, there will be ample room to skip in and out at ease.
Then again, the 'Tent Full' signs which were hoisted aloft outside the Nissan Arena as hundreds milled around desperately trying to get a glimpse of the man himself but a dampener on that one – which raises a few questions about the increasing familiarity of the audiences preferences – a case which is reinforced with the relative ease in being able to eyeball Paul Weller (probably not advisable). The former Jam and Style Council man demonstrates just why he is considered such an asset to the music industry, but his mood soon matches the rolling and darkening clouds after a few bottles find their way onto stage, prompting Weller to encourage the guilty party to be exposed, and take a good hiding. Rock and Roll.
The final night top boys mirror that of V2008, another qualm that could be raised with the familiarity of personnel, with Sterophonics 'supporting' the Kings of Leon, and the outcome was the same.
Whereas the Welshboys highlight their vast experience in putting on a show, simply by blasting through a set spanning well over a decade, every one of their seven albums from 'Word Gets Around' to latest offering 'Keep Calm And Carry On' stuffed in to just over an hour, Kings Of Leon's dark, distant stance doesn't really cut it.
Undeniably the deep south American's are a talented bunch, but the whole persona which has come with their mainstream recognition has put a real downer on what, pre 'Only By The Night', was a very commendable and energetic rock and roll outburst. Unfortunately, mirroring some of their latest offerings, 'Use Somebody' for example, Kings Of Leon's live show has become somewhat mundane viewing – and could you really say that if time skipped back five years, during a Kings Of Leon gig, you would be glancing at your watch to see if it was worth packing your tent away and dodging the inevitable horrendous Monday morning traffic?
V Festival continues to snowball in size annually, and, if you are content with the odd pop act here and there, which will no doubt increase, it provides ample opportunity to catch some top artists, whilst ultimately having a very pleasant time doing so.