Miles Kane
Bolstered by a rain bothered crowd, you still imagine Miles Kane would step onto any stage with the giddy appearance of a boxer straight after wielding a knock-out blow. With his arms punching the air, opener 'Better Left Invisible' flooded the NME/Radio 1 tent with the overbearing sound of a man who wanted to make a point. All chugging basslines and searing, reverberating guitar licks channelled to Kane's almost malicious tone. 'Counting Down The Days' took off on the same glorious note with Kane swaggering behind his microphone. If the start time of early afternoon had appeared foolish, Kane had just rammed home the oversight.
Live, Kane is an altogether different beast. After partnering Alex Turner in The Last Shadow Puppets and then supporting Arctic Monkeys and Beady Eye during the summer, crowds of this magnitude only challenge him to raise his game. Even 'Rearrange' had adopted a bolder, brasher backing from Kane's tight guitar solos. Yet for all the 60s pomp; the rousing cover of The Beatles' 'Hey Bulldog', not to mention the uncanny resemblance to a young Paul McCartney, Kane provided the catchy pop needed for the Saturday afternoon with Quicksand. A defiant rendition of 'Inhaler' sealed his set and seemed to close the deal.
Expect to see those outstretched arms later in the day next summer.