You have got to be feckin kidding?

[jamesbduk]

I'm just back from a little break (3 weeks in Turkey if you interested... ) and have avoided all contact with the outside World so as to de-stress from the rigor of running my own business...

I'm now back, and cathing up on emails, Facebook etc, and have just checked in with this fine forum for final updates for next months fest, and NOTHING!

Feck all.

Not a jot.

What a bastard con.

We lose a stage and about 20 acts, and there are still chinless munts on here mincing on about clashes!

Bob Angus and V can go feck themselves.

My tickets are going to my neighbour who's never been.

At least she will have no point of reference and won't see the sad decline.

PS. If you are happy with the line up, and dislike/couldn't care less about my fury; I genuinely hope you do enjoy yourselves.

(You will just never know how good V once was....)

[Dannny]

first time, even i think it could be done better...

[discoheaven]

To be honest I think the line up could be more than what it is and I'm a first timer too. I'm excited nonetheless because it's my first festival and the excitement of that is I suppose beyond the acts if that makes sense?

I do wish there was an amazing random headliner at least. I look at Reading/Leeds and am a tiny bit jealous of some of the acts.

Shame you're giving up your tickets though!

[redmad1971]

Well there's at least 20 acts that i want to see, so am very happy. And seeing that the festivals sold out, that makes at least another 100,000 who are also happy enough.

[jonnyx]

I still have no idea where all the money has gone.

In comparison to any other festival, this is the weakest line up!, plus we’ve lost a stage and have a day less music!.

We need one of those forums to ask Angus! "what the f**k has happened?!?!". But given they can't even update the website, that's never going to happen.

Aaaaaaagh! and knowing our luck, it’ll rain too!.

[Sonofjackass]

The decline has sickened me also

This is most definately my last V...Theyd have to announce one hell of a headliner to get me back

[staffsknot]

Sorry its turned out that way James, yep the festival has changed a lot over the years, was hearing people talk of 'the decline' back in 2003 but I still reckon you could of had a good weekend out of it.

I won't be buying an early bird ticket ever again but might do next year as in spite of it all there are some good bands and its a great excuse to get a load of mates from round the country together!

[Tunster]

The decline has sickened me also

This is most definately my last V...Theyd have to announce one hell of a headliner to get me back

[Flaminglippy]

I'm just back from a little break (3 weeks in Turkey if you interested... ) and have avoided all contact with the outside World so as to de-stress from the rigor of running my own business...

I'm now back, and cathing up on emails, Facebook etc, and have just checked in with this fine forum for final updates for next months fest, and NOTHING!

Feck all.

Not a jot.

What a bastard con.

We lose a stage and about 20 acts, and there are still chinless munts on here mincing on about clashes!

Bob Angus and V can go feck themselves.

My tickets are going to my neighbour who's never been.

At least she will have no point of reference and won't see the sad decline.

PS. If you are happy with the line up, and dislike/couldn't care less about my fury; I genuinely hope you do enjoy yourselves.

(You will just never know how good V once was....)

Edited July 27, 2009 by Flaminglippy

[jordanuk90]

Can you honestly say you are suprised by V chiefs they couldn't care less about the fans its the money all about the money this is my last V unless they get inside my head for a dream line up but V has gone way too pop now it used to have an edge now its just sh*te

[geeman]

Agree with most if the sentiments expressed here. There will be enough to entertain me even if it's just in the camp rather than on the stage, but there doesn't seem to be much return for the price of the ticket. Latitude and Secret Garden Party are far better; more interesting bands, comedy stages amongst many others, smaller and more intimate. Let's as least hope the weather in August is better than July!

[sjc0102]

Well there's at least 20 acts that i want to see, so am very happy. And seeing that the festivals sold out, that makes at least another 100,000 who are also happy enough.

[xxtinkerbellxx]

I was already hacked off with how V how has changed and then I went to Glastonbury and realised V how much of a shambles it actually is! After this year I very strongly doubt i will be returning which is a shame as its just down the road for me, but frankly im quite fed up of wasting my money!

[Bunny]

I hardly ever write anything negative on this forum - purely because I don't like to put a downer on others.

So I will try and be as constructive as possible!!!

While there are many bands I want to see this year, and will not have too much of an issue filling my weekend with music, I have to agree with how much V has declined since I first went in '98.

The main site (Chelmsford) is just badly laid out, and the quantity of people attending is now far more than the site is suited for. Moving the Main Stage last year was absolutely appalling. I also no longer camp at V, the lack of space is ridiculous, and the hikes back and forward to the site are tedious (maybe showing my age on this one) - and the corporate thing is just a joke (Virgin Cola anyone?)

This will be my last V (unless I can get some free tickets again) as I will be looking at some younger festivals. I cannot believe anyone who has been going to V for any amount of time has not noticed the difference.

[serginhowardinho]

I've never been to V, but have been to loads of other festivals (Glasto, T in the Park, Kendal Calling, Leeds, etc). I'm looking forward to seeing exactly how the site is laid out, what the facilities are like, how it differs from similar sized events. I even think the line-up is good - it suits me as i'm going with a more 'poppy' crowd than i'm used to and i've already seen loads of bands at festivals this year. A chance to see something a bit different will be fun.

However, the one thing which is really putting me off the whole experience is the shoddy website and lack of news about the festival. I can't believe that such an enormous event is so badly publicised and that the official website contains so little relevant information about the line-up, doesn't have a site map and is so difficult to navigate.

I'm going with an open mind (and my expectations are not enormously high) so i'm sure i'll have a great time. And i have no previous experience of V, so can't compare it to itself. But i doubt i'll be coming back to a festival which can't even be arsed to get it's communication policy sorted out.

[manlikemoley]

This'll be only my third V (07 & 08) but even I've seen a sharp decline this year. I know 07 was a honeymoon period for me so it was always gonna be good. Knew what I was doing last year tho and the line up was still good pretty much all the way down the order.

This year tho, I think I have a clash for the headline on Saturday (Killers vs FBS).....and that's about it. The rest of the time I'll just be seeing what takes my fancy as opposed to the last two years where I've been agonising over who to see and who to drop weeks in advance!!!

Still gonna have a cracking weekend with my buds, just won't be back next year, gonna give IOW a try.

[bekimo]

Those of you know know me, know of my annoyance for people coming on here and ranting away about how crap V is and that Glasto/R&L/wherever is better and "it's not like it used to be, it's so commercial now" HOWEVER . . . I am seriously doubting that I shall buy a V ticket next year.

I mean come on, £150 and then they cut out a stage and reduce the acts down. My worry this year is that the atmosphere that we all love about V will be spoilt by the followers of that mancunian band! We shall see how it turns out. I can just imagine next year tickets will be £160+ and they will only have 3 stages and you can't go until Saturday morning!!!

[shoptildrop]

I must admit doubting if I'll do V again as when u compare price/lineup and organisation compared to other festies it fails miserably, only few weeks ago I went to freebie festival Godiva festie in Coventry and it was really well organised and great facilities and that was free!!! V need to take leaf out their book...

I don't want to put people off who are new as i'm sure u will have a great time and there are a few decent acts to see but the overall experience is lacking when u do other festivals and compare which is a shame really as last 2yrs for me have been good (although rather wet boo)......

Agree that the official website is truely shocking and think it's actually got worse from when I 1st viewed it in 2007 as they can even be bothered to do a piece on what bands have actually been added or dropped in some cases - just "look at stages and work out your bloody self what has been added" terrible....

However I will enjoy this year as enough bands to keep me happy, have the efest camp to keep the spirits up and will be going with my lovely fella so all is good

Gonna do a foriegn festie next year, Leeds and glasto not V (unless bloody amazing lineup but I doubt it lol)

[bekimo]

However I will enjoy this year as enough bands to keep me happy, have the efest camp to keep the spirits up and will be going with my lovely fella so all is good

Gonna do a foriegn festie next year, Leeds and glasto not V (unless bloody amazing lineup but I doubt it lol)

[shoptildrop]

I agree. This year is going to be amazing. If it's going to be my last V, then I'm doing it properly, going out with a bang, so to speak!! Bring on August!!

[shayy]

it wouldn't suprise me if they actually did pull an amazing line up next year.

Saying that... it wouldn't suprise me if it turned into something like t4 on the beach.

But then again saying that i'm quite content with some of the acts NOT THE BEST V EVER... but still i'm content.

The clashes are going to be quite annoying ... there's booking good bands but then theres placing the alright bands that people want to see at stupid times.

[bekimo]

it wouldn't suprise me if they actually did pull an amazing line up next year.

Saying that... it wouldn't suprise me if it turned into something like t4 on the beach.

[cabstar]

Out of all the main stream festivals in the UK V has always been the shitty poor relation. V is shit always has been always will be. However it is the UK's only 2 site 2 day festival in the UK this allows many people to go to a festival without having to take time from work. It is also a great opportunity to meet up with friends get leathered & have a good time.

Every year someone comes in here & gives it shit line up where has all the money gone blah blah blah blah.

Why do you think because you have paid money for a ticket gives you the right to tell the organisers who they can or do book???? V is a commercial enterprise it is there to make Roseclaim (Spelling) a profit. That is it. Do you think Asda or Tesco give a shit as to who buys there products??? No as long as they fly of the shelf they couldn't give a toss & that is the same with V. Once again this year has sold out, to them that is a success.

If you want a festival that cares for its customers then there are plenty of alternatives. Unfortunately for V due to the smaller festivals springing up a lot of V goers are now trying out these alternative festivals & are finally realising how shit V is & poor value for money it is.

I will be going this year but this could be my last unless the police have & security have booked up there ideas & stopped also looking at the V punters as pure scum!!!!

[Bunny]

V is shit always has been always will be.

[bekimo]

I understand why you've said this reading the rest of your post, but it is still a bit of an extreme statement. Yes it's smaller, less stages and shorter but it has not always been shit.

I have been to Reading and Glasto as well as a lot of smaller festivals, and I have equally good memories of them all, both musically and socially.

Your statement that V is what it is, is more accurate - but always being shit is a little wide of the mark.