Just a big concert. (V2001 (Staffordshire))

Member Name: death_by_stereo

Product:	V2001 (Staffordshire)
Date:	06/09/01 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good bands, Lots to do

Disadvantages: Over commerical, curfew, It rained!

V2001

There are certain things that you expect from a festival and V2001 held very few of them. On arrival everything seemed well organized with clear signposts to the site and to the drop off points.

I was supposed to be going with a group of friends but they couldn’t make it so I just went with a very close friend of mine.

We handed over our tickets and received our blue wristbands that gave us access to the stages. It was at this point our first disappointment came, we learnt that it was £5 for a few bits of cardboard with details of what bands were playing on what stages and at what time. You’d assume that having paid £80 odd quid to go to the event that this simple information would be supplied free of charge (Apparent not, Mr. Branson).

Laden with beer, tent and sleeping bags we trudged up the hill and found our camping spot.

! Setup + layout !

With tent pitched we explored the site. The layout of the camping area was good, with security towers (with big lights) looking over the masses of tents. The toilets were never far away yet there was a lack of drinking water points.

There were fairground rides, including a big bungee machine that ‘pinged’ people in a metal cage high up into the air! There were plenty of food outlets, burgers, pasta, pizza, natural health food, noodles, stir fry, cookies, pancakes etc . . . Also many stalls selling everything from blow up flowers to legal ecstasy.

There were four locations where bands played, two outdoor stages and two indoor tents (sponsored by JJB). The two stages were situated too close together and walking from stage to stage you could hear neither, just an amalgamation of the two noises.

! Bands !

The acts I saw on Saturday were Neil Finn, David Gray, Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. On the Sunday I saw Spooks, Nelly Furtardo, Atomic Kitten, Wheatus and Muse.

Biggest disap
pointment = Muse, great set. No interaction with the audience not worthy to a headlining band.

Biggest surprise = Spooks, really upbeat set. Brought Nelly Furtardo + Wheatus on stage. Didn’t think they’d be that good.

Best band there = Close between the Chili’s and Foo Fighters but the Chili have to take second place. The Foo Fighters rocked and blasted out a quality set.

! Cost !

The cost of the ticket was cheaper than seeing all the bands individually so yeah it was cost effective. However, it was a big concert not a festival and was far too commercial for my liking. The food was overpriced as were the attractions there (namely the fairground rides).

! Weather + conditions !

It rained, then the sun shone. It rained, then the sun shone. It rained, then the sun shone. It rained, then the sun shone . . . . . It rained, then the sun shone. This equated to mud and plenty of it; well it just wouldn’t be the same without it!

! Comparison to glasto !

Not a touch on the great festival itself. No atmosphere, lots of rules + regs. Hard to relax and chill out. Site was too small. The 11pm curfew on bands took the piss.

! Summary !

Wouldn’t go again, maybe a day ticket if some top bands were on that I’ve not seen, e.g. the Offspring. Don’t recommend to others, unless you’ve got plenty of cash and are looking for somewhere to deposit it, such as Mr. Branson’s pockets.

Summary: