FESTIVAL GUIDE: V Festival

Name: V Festival

Where: Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire

When: 22nd – 23rd August

Headliners: Kasabian and Calvin Harris

Also Featuring: Stereophonics, Sam Smith, Hozier, The Courteeners, Ellie Goulding, Clean Bandit, Chvrches, Annie Mac, The Charlatans…

A Brief History: V96 saw the two-site festival staged in Warrington and Chelmsford, with Pulp headlining both (reportedly due to Jarvis Cocker’s desire to headline two outdoor dates in two days). While the South had just the one day to enjoy, those in the North had two-days of acts, with Supergrass, Gary Numan and The Charlatans (who return this year) making up the bill. Since then V Festival (as it officially became known as in 2003) has become a staple of the festival calendar, showcasing a more pop-focussed line-up then some of its contemporaries, but still seeing huge acts including Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and Eminem headlining.

How To Get There: National Express and Big Green Coach are the official travel partners, with more information available here.

Gigslutz Top Tip: There’s no need to do your best Indie Jones looking for the secret, woodland sets – V go all out on big names, giving you the chance to hear what’s playing on the radio in all its live glory. Kasabian are one of the UK’s best live acts, giving one of few live appearances this year. Catch them before they go into hiding to record the follow up to last year’s 48:13.

Memorable Moments: Kasabian previously headlined the 2010 festival, proving that – three years before their Glastonbury booking – they were already a band with the songs and the swagger to take the slot. Eminem also proved himself as an act worthy of topping the bill, four years before being banned from Hyde Park and selling out Wembley Stadium instead.

What We Said Last Year: “Blondie received one of the biggest crowds of the weekend and they did not let down their expectant audience.” Read the full review here.

Did You Know? Oasis played the Weston Park site in 2009 but failed to turn up to Hylands Park due to “illness”. Their split was announced a week later.

How To Get Tickets: Tickets through various agents, including coach packages, can be found here.

The Playlist:

Dan Bull
@danbull7609

Dan Bull

Dan Bull

Reviews Editor
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."
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About Dan Bull
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."