Act Review's

[daniel.k]

I saw this sort of thing in the R&L Forum, so I thought id try see if it worked here.

Write a short review of an act(s) that you have seen before, either in concert or at a festival to help people think about who they may want to see. It could help people choose to listen to their music before the festival as well to see if they like it or not, just an idea I thought id try in here.

[Toon Army]

I saw blondie at newcastle city hall in 1977 supporting television. I was in the middle of the front row, she wore black thigh length boots and was stunning. Can't remember much else

I have similar reviews of the stranglers and human league for you's to look forward to

[DarthSaul]

The Killers- Not bad, worth a go

^{Example- Utter w*nk}

Tom Odell- Bit dull but not bad

Rizzle Kicks- Bit of fun live but nothing special

Nina Nesbitt- Meh

Thats all ive seen from this years lineup

[Com Truise]

Chase & Status were really good at Leeds last year but the crowd was full of cocks. If I had the chance to see them in England again I'd thoroughly decline. The crowd ain't worth it, I felt safer seeing System of a Down.

That's all I can contribute. Might end up seeing Miles Kane, Paolo, Ed Sheeran, Example, Kaisers, Manics, Bastille and Nina Nesbitt in the summer though, so I'll do them before V comes around.

[kemosabe]

Bastille - R&L very good, lively crowd and were right up for it... i was soaking wet through and cold and was made to stand at the back with mates so didnt enjoy it as much as i should have!

Chase & Status - As Com said crowd full of dicks however i would definitely see them again and never felt unsafe... very very good (however you have a DJ Set not the live thing so i dont know if that changes things)

Kaiser Chiefs - Im from Leeds and they were my first ever album so i assume that will affect my opinion of them but i saw them a few years ago now at thier own gig and they were excellent playing all the old stuff which is the good stuff

Kodaline - Brilliant.. if you like their album you will like their live show

[Muppetmark]

Justin timberlake - itunes festival. was a really good show, hes a great showman and the songs sounded great live. thoroughly enjoyed myself despite only going because it was free. 8.5/10

example - wireless festival 2010. he brought a lot of energy to the day and it was great fun. this was just after kickstarts had come out 7.5/10

lily allen - wireless 2010. he performance can't be faulted but seemed lost on a cowd just waiting for jay-z, hope shes on jt day so she gets a better reception. 7/10

Bastille - emirates 2013 - supporting muse. was bored shitless . 3/10

rudimental - sw4 festival 2012 and the o2 supporting plan b. dull as fuck. 4/10

kaiser chiefs- emirates 2013 - supporging green day. really lively, great fun, knew how to get the crowd going 7.5/10

rizzle kicks - arsenal away shirt opening at arsenal amory. great fun.. tiny crowd, but it was a lively energetic set. 7/10

kodaline - hrc 2013. dull as fuck 2/10

[thetime]

The acts who I have seen.

KIllers - You know what you are going to get, they will bang the hits out and give everyone a good sing song. I found them okay, nothing to write home about but you cant beat a good sing song from a headliner. 7/10

LIly Allen - saw her in a arena(co headliner with dizzee rascal) and she was totally lost with the size, her voice could not carry. She would be brilliant in one of the tents, I am a big fan of hers but was poor that night and we left early. 3/10

Elbow - Just great songs and good interaction with the crowd, nothing to exciting just singing the songs which I love. 9/10

Bastille - Many will disagree but I find them fantastic live, hopefully they get another album out soo as they have potential to be headliners in the near future. 9/10

Chase and status - Not really my thing but certainly get the crowd going, will be good headliner of a smaller stage. 7/10

Kaiser Chiefs - Do not own a single album from kaiser chiefs but always see them on tour and at festivals, again they just bang the hits out and everyone sings along. 9/10

Manic Street Preachers - Always amazing live and have a fantastic back catalogue, easily the best band on the bill. 10/10

Blondie - ok!! Would of loved to see them in there prime. 5/10

Embrace - another fave of mine and the atmosphere at embrace gigs/festivals is always amazing. Danny can not sing for toffee but the songs are amazing. 10/10

Newton Faulkner - Its all about one song.. 4/10

Starsailor - Saw them alot during there first few tours and used to love them, not listened to them in years. 7/10

Magic Numbers - Perfect on a warm summers afternoon, perfect v band on the second stage mid afternoon. Love every album they have released, another band that just wack out the tunes. 8/10

The Wonder Stuff - Another fave of mine, up there with the best from the early 90s. Stay away from size of a cow and listen to tracks like circlesquare and caught in my shadow. 10/10

[Toon Army]

Thanks thetime, lots on your list that I know nowt about but might have to investigate now. Even more potential clashes !

[Pothuthic]

Ed Sheeran - Seen him three times, he's very good and keeps the audience amused. Dunno how he will be like on Main Stage though

Rudimental - Seem them three times too, once at a festival, once in an arena and one in a very intimate environment (100 people tops), I preferred them in the 100 people environment, but we're great in the arena.

Chase & Status - Saw them once in the same intimate environment as Rudimental (actually one after another) they were very good, but that was with Moko and Jacob Banks with them, dunno what a DJ set will be like.

Tom Odell - Again saw in a very intimate environment, was a fantastic performance, met him after and was a really lovely guy, so that makes me like him even more.

Jason Derulo - Seen twice, both in arenas so I don't know how he will be at a festival as his performances were all one big song really.

Rizzle Kicks - Also seen twice, once at an arena and once at V, they were better at V, the outside environment really suits them.

John Newman - Seen twice, once at V and once in an arena, loved him both times, also met him and he again is a fantastic guy which makes me love his music more (Love Losing Sleep)

Katy B - Caught the end of her set, wasn't too bad.

Human League - Caught a bit, were brilliant.

Ella Eyre - Seen her twice with Rudimental, very good and energetic, but don't like her solo stuff much.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Kodaline - Brilliant.. if you like their album you will like their live show

[foolee]

The Killers - Saw them at T and Benicassim last year and they have really stepped up their live show since I last saw them (Sam's Town era). They have came into their own and Brendan seems to know how to hold a crowd better and they always vary their setlist which many acts don't do so always keeps if fresh and exciting. Saw them within a week last year and they played Somebody Told Me first the first time and the week after started with Mr.Brightside. One reason I want to go to V, a must watch. 10/10

Example - His albums aren't too bad but he is a good live acts, knows how to get the crowd going. 8/10

Chase & Status - Good live act if inside, not so much outside in the daylight. Personally try to stay away from these now because the crowds seem to be full of knobs. Never seen a dj set though. Very mixed 5/10

Kaiser Chiefs - You'll know most of the songs, plays all the hits and get the crowd going, probably why there is still demand for these boys, good live act. 8/10

Manic Street Preachers - Only seen once and wasn't very well when I watched them so wasn't the best of experiences as I was so looking forward to them but played all the hits and sounded spot on. 7/10

Sub Focus - Good inside. 6/10

Rizzle Kicks - Gets the crowd going a treat, saw them at T a few years ago and was a laugh and very entertaining, if there's nothing else on they are defo worth a watch! 7/10

Miles Kane - Rubbish, don't rate him live anytime I have seen him. People do but really think he lacks energy and just doesn't do anything for me. Thats from someone who has both albums and likes them. 3/10

The Stranglers - You've go to go even if you just know Golden brown, a decent V band to get the day of with a bang and a pint 7/10

[Boris The Spider]

I'll work my way down the list,

The Killers - They're alright, I find Brandon Flowers to be a bit of a dull frontman. If you like them though I'm sure they'll be great for you.

Paolo Nutini - I like him, but I can't say his performance was very memorable because I am only half sure that I've actually seen him!

Lily Allen - She's not really my bag, but she sounded ok for what she is.

Elbow - A bit slow going, but they're a good live band.

Bastille - I enjoyed them, his voice sounds just like the record.

Kaiser Chiefs - A really good sing-a-long band but one of the times I saw them was a bit annoying because Ricky just kept going 'We say Kaiser, you say Chiefs..." etc. for what seemed like a lifetime.

Manic Street Preachers - Excellent, can't fault them.

Rizzle Kicks - Bit of fun.

Katy B - Again not really my bag, but she sounded good & the crowd were really into it.

Embrace - I think they are miles better live than they are on record & Danny is a wonderful frontman so just looking at him enjoying himself makes you enjoy yourself!

Kodaline - They were good, only know a couple of their songs.

Miles Kane - Seen him numerous times solo, last shadow puppets, rascals, little flames etc and I bloody love him. He sounds great live & he really gets into it. He laps up the attention but you can tell he really loves performing.

The Human League - Really fun, better live than you'd imagine.

The Strypes - Put on a good show, sound great live.

The Stranglers - Worth seeing for the hits.

The Magic Numbers - Not really my thing, they sounded alright.

The Wailers - Great, classic songs.

The Rifles - Brill live band, loved their first album.

I think that covers all the ones I've seen from the list.. probably won't help anyone but there you go! Xx

[lily92]

Actually seen pretty much noone on this line up, which I'm seeing as good thing though.

Ed Sheeran - Saw him at Radio 1's Big Weekend a couple years ago. Your typical crowd pleaser.. really fun live and great to sing along to. Voice sounds as good as on the record too.

Tom Odell - loved watching him last year although I don't really listen to his music. His voice is incredible live!

[Funkyfairy!]

Justin timberlake - itunes festival. was a really good show, hes a great showman and the songs sounded great live. thoroughly enjoyed myself despite only going because it was free. 8.5/10

example - wireless festival 2010. he brought a lot of energy to the day and it was great fun. this was just after kickstarts had come out 7.5/10

lily allen - wireless 2010. he performance can't be faulted but seemed lost on a cowd just waiting for jay-z, hope shes on jt day so she gets a better reception. 7/10

Bastille - emirates 2013 - supporting muse. was bored shitless . 3/10

rudimental - sw4 festival 2012 and the o2 supporting plan b. dull as fuck. 4/10

kaiser chiefs- emirates 2013 - supporging green day. really lively, great fun, knew how to get the crowd going 7.5/10

rizzle kicks - arsenal away shirt opening at arsenal amory. great fun.. tiny crowd, but it was a lively energetic set. 7/10

kodaline - hrc 2013. dull as fuck 2/10

[daniel.k]

Time for me to bump this thread up and add some of my act reviews

Ed Sheeran: Saw him on his tour and he played a good setlist, not doing all his best known songs at the beginning or leaving them all to the end he spaced them pretty well. He sounded good like he was on CD and he entertained the crowd with a few of his stories. The crowd loved him, and he sung with Passenger so he may do one or two collabs this year.

Rudimental: Saw them last year at V, they pleased the crowd and got everyone singing. Definitely one of the biggest crowds i saw all weekend and that was only rivalled by Beyonce. They didnt have Ella Eyre or John Newman to sing their songs, but their singers did a fairly good job. They sounded good from where I was (at the back) and it was a good set.

Rizzle Kicks: Saw them at a hometown event which they headlined, they interacted pretty good and sounded alright. They were lively and got everyone to throw glow sticks at them onto stage and it looked good, but they couldnt do that sort of thing at V.

Newton Faulkner: Saw him at the same event as above, he sounded great and still sounded good just playing acoustic. Split the crowd into two and got a singalong going which was fun. He only had a short set but I couldnt really complain at what he played

Nina Nesbitt: Caught the last half of her set last year at V, she sounded good but maybe not quite loud enough. Ellie Goulding had the same problem in my opinion, maybe their voices just werent strong enough to carry. She sung on the debut of he John Lewis advert, coving Fleetwood Mac and sounded good. She might have done other songs I recognised before I got there but I only heard that and Stay Out that I had heard before. But all in all she was good and I will try see her full set this year

[Rusco]

I'll do a review of more acts soon, but I did see Ella Eyre in Brum last week. Considering she hasn't had a single or album out her entire tour is sold out. Her performance (energy) and vocals were amazing and the songs sounded dope, I think she will be massive by the summer and a must see come v-fest.

[Twattybatty]

If she's going to be massive by the summer she needs to get on with it a bit...wasn't last year's equivalent John Newman already significantly on the rise by mid-March? Disclosure and Rudimental definetley were.

[Rusco]

If she's going to be massive by the summer she needs to get on with it a bit...wasn't last year's equivalent John Newman already significantly on the rise by mid-March? Disclosure and Rudimental definetley were.

[Wolf 359]

Manic Street Preachers - Seen them about a dozen times and ALWAYS on the money.

Stranglers - Saw them on Monday at O2 Oxford - bloody amazing live.

Human League - Agree that they are much better than you would expect - especially if in the tent!

Kodaline - Not really my cup of tea but they do get the crowd going.

Elbow - Not really my cup of tea either and they DON'T get the crowd going !

[Pothuthic]

If she's going to be massive by the summer she needs to get on with it a bit...wasn't last year's equivalent John Newman already significantly on the rise by mid-March? Disclosure and Rudimental definetley were.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

JN only really got big In June, he was in futures until July iirc

[daniel.k]

IIRC Sara Cox was playing LMA for months and months before it was released, and also it was basically laughed out of the room when V initially listed him as on Futures...but we'll see

[GeorgiaAttersall]

If anyone has previously been to V Festival could they just fill out this survey for my dissertation. Would really appreciate it, Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HzggFCxg0IAk7NTRO5YZ3pq73kNQb46YFvPoix8Kn34/viewform

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Saw Kodaline last night, too cute for words.

[The Placid Casual]

The Killers - Weren't bad, they bailed on the first time as Brandon had a sore throat, so they lose points for me having to book another train and hotel. The new album is rubbish, and they played a lot from that 6/10

Chase and Status DJ Set - They were good as a live act in Leeds, but I didn't find their DJ set particularly impressive, so if there's anything else on at the time, go there 4/10

Kaiser Chiefs - Everyone sings along to the tunes and Ricky Wilson does well at getting the crowd going. I've heard the same act can get boring after a few watches, but I've only seen them once, so can't comment on that 8/10

Tom Odell - I haven't seen him live, but I already know he's going to score a big fat 0/10

Rizzle Kicks - Much better than I expected, a good bit of harmless fun 8/10

Miles Kane - There is a reason I keep seeing him live, he puts loads of energy into his shows which rubs off on the crowd, he never leaves the stage without sweating buckets. His music isn't for everyone, but he puts on a good show 9/10

The Wailers - I got a bit bored watching them from a distance, but the crowd down the front seemed really into it. They were alright, nothing special. Most Wailers stuff bores me 5/10