V Festival 2010 - the music reigns

There was mud, sweat and beers but as always, the V Festival was all about the music. Weston Park saw sunshine and heavy rain over the two-day extravaganza.

On Saturday revellers donned Wellington boots and rain jackets as rain threatened to turn the site into a mud bath but yesterday proved a sunnier affair with fans able to leave their brollies in their tents.

The mixed weather failed to dampen the spirits of more than 85,000 people who flocked to the park to see headliners Kings of Leon and Kasabian, as well as R&B hitmaker Jason Derulo and dance music star David Guetta.

Many of Derulo's fans and those of Tinie Tempah were left outside as the tent was simply not large enough to accommodate them all.

Pop star Pixie Lott added a touch of glamour by appearing on stage in a sparkly black dress and the always well-turned out Sugababes made their first appearance at the event with their current line-up.

The newest member Jade Ewen, who replaced Keisha Buchanan last year, told the crowd: "It's our first time at V and we've had a really nice time."

Paloma Faith was also a sight to behold when she strode out on stage wearing a striking red dress while clutching a matching parasol.

The surprise hit of the weekend was Peter Andre - the former husband of model Jordan - in the Nissan Duke Arena who pulled in the crowds with his hit Mysterious Girl proving a roaring success.

Paolo Nutini saved his three best songs - New Shoes, Pencil Full of Lead and Jenny Don't Be Hasty - until last.

Jamie T fans braved the showers to see him perform his hits including Sticks and Stones.

Calvin Harris, who could easily have had a career as a model if he had not decided that making dance-pop was a more inviting job, delighted the crowds, and Doves proved their worth, with Jimi Goodwin's haunting vocals coursing through a setlist including Pounding, Black and White Town and latest release Andalucia.

Saturday's headliners Kasabian summed up the experience as tens of thousands of people swarmed to the main stage.

"There's just so many of you," exclaimed lead singer Tom Meighan. "Now let's go mental!"

They led the crowd through a brief history of some of their best stuff — from the exhilarating Processed Beats to the catchy Empire, and from the blood-pumping Vlad the Impaler to set closer LSF, each one of them sounding as though they were written to be played to a field full of adoring fans.

Tipped as one of the Express & Star's Ones to Watch, The Pretty Reckless kicked off Sunday's proceedings, drawing in an impressive-sized crowd considering they were in the traditionally pallid noon slot. Taylor Momsen (from TV's Gossip Girl) looked like a fallen angel with tumbling white-blonde locks, thick black eyeliner, skintight suspender-dress and laddered stockings, rasping out debut single Make Me Wanna Die.

Following several years off the scene, Feeder returned better than ever. The big draw of the weekend was rockers Kings of Leon who took to the main V stage for their headline performance last night amid a cloud of red smoke and suitably dramatic opera music.

The star count was not confined to the stage either with famous faces from the world of TV spotted amongst the crowd.

Staffordshire's Apprentice star Kate Walsh, who now presents Live from Studio Five, was among those enjoying the music as was Thomas Law and Himesh Patel, better known as Peter Beale and Tamwar Masood from EastEnders.

Coronation Street star Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster, was also lapping up the atmosphere.

Some of the stars who performed at the event told the Express & Star how much they had enjoyed it.

Indie group The Coral, who already have several festival appearances under their belt, were on the main V Stage.

Lead singer James Skelly told the Express & Star that Weston Park was "much better" than Chelmsford.

Up and coming Scottish singer Alex Gardiner performed in the Virgin Media Stage. He said had a great time at the annual event. "It has been great," he said. "I wish it was on for another day."

"We were in Chelmsford last night," said Courteeners frontman Liam Fray. And you know what? This is 10 times better!"

Kicking off with their only non-album single - and coincidently one of their best songs - Acrylic, The Courteeners marched through What Took You So Long, Not Nineteen Forever, You Overdid It Doll, and Take Over The World, as well as several album tracks. Frontman Fray told the Express and Star: "Everyone always says that audiences from the North are the best - and we've always found that to be generally true.

"Festivals are different from our own gigs, but they're good in different ways.

" I'd rather have 1,000 people there who all know the words to all our songs than 60,000 just there waving their arms in the air. I can't stand that."

Many of the fans who descended on Weston Park were from across the West Midlands.

Dan Thackney, 18, from Dudley said: "It is a great event as there is no trouble."

Forensic scientist Tonya Higgins, 24, from Bloxwich said: "I have had a really good time at V. It is my first time and I would definitely come back. I have enjoyed seeing The Prodigy, Kasabian and Plan B."

Steph Bates, from Featherstone added: "The prodigy were great."