V Festival, often referred to as V Fest or simply V, was an annual music festival held in the United Kingdom during the third weekend in August. The "V" represented the Virgin Group, with the event being sponsored by Virgin Media.

The event was held at two parks simultaneously which shared the same bill; artists performed at one location on Saturday and then swapped on Sunday. The sites were located at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in South Staffordshire. In 2017, the final year of this format, the capacity of each site was 90,000.

Richard Branson announced on 30 October 2017 that V Festival would be discontinued but that a new festival would replace it. In 2018, a new festival called "Rize" was held in on the same weekend as the "V Festival" but only at Hylands Park. However, on 5 August 2020, it was announced that the "V Festival" was to return to Hylands Park, without an audience (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), later that month.

It was originally televised by Channel 4 from 1997 to 2013, predominantly on its sister channel 4Music, with the exception of the 2003 event with ITV in charge. It was then televised by MTV from 2014 to 2015, and the 2016 edition of the festival was televised by Channel 5. ITV returned to televising the V Festival upon its return in 2020, with coverage hosted by Joel Dommett and Maya Jama.

History

The idea for V came in 1996 when Pulp's front man Jarvis Cocker said that he would love to play two outdoor venues in two days. Pulp's promoters got together and came up with the idea of putting the gig into Victoria Park Warrington and Hylands Park Chelmsford giving fans in both the North and South a chance to see the band. Then came the idea of adding more bands to the bill, putting on a second stage and letting people camp for the weekend. In the end Victoria Park was just too small for three stages and camping. So in August 1996 there was one day of artists in Victoria Park and two days at Hylands Park with camping. The northern leg of V97 was switched to Temple Newsam, Leeds to provide room for camping and three stages. In 1999 the Northern leg of the festival was moved to Weston Park in Staffordshire, and has remained there since.[citation needed]

Previously it had been held at Temple Newsam in Leeds, before being replaced by Carling's Leeds Festival. Originally, the festival took the name of the current year, with the first festival being named "V96". Since 2003 it has been known as simply the V Festival. Its weekend format, low queuing times and professional organisation have given it a loyal audience. The festival sold out in record time in 2006.[citation needed]

Melanie C, Dido, and N.E.R.D. have all performed at the festival, and both Razorlight and Faithless performed in 2006. V showcases a mix of British and international musicians, from up-and-coming bands such as Coldplay in 2000 and the Kaiser Chiefs in 2003 and 2008, and glam rockers El Presidente in 2005, to veteran crooner Tony Christie. Girls Aloud also performed at the 2006 show, and received rave reviews for their performance. V97 was the first V Festival to be webcast. This was audio-only, and had about 30,000 unique listeners.[citation needed]

Festivals and line-ups by year

V96

The first V festival took place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August 1996, and had two stages and one tent.

V97

This year introduced the NME stage.

V98

V99

V2000

V2001

V2002

V2003

V2004

V2005

The 10th V Festival took place from Saturday 20 August to Sunday 21 August 2005, headlining with Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, and Scissor Sisters. Performing acts included:

Chelmsford Saturday/Staffordshire Sunday:

Chelmsford Sunday/Staffordshire Saturday:

V2006

The 11th V Festival took place on Saturday 19 August and Sunday 20 August.

Tickets for the festival went on sale on Monday 27 February, exclusively to Virgin Mobile customers, and went on general sale on Friday 3 March.

There were complaints from festival-goers in 2006 due to the excessive price of food and merchandise, and lack of prior information about the band schedules, the only timetable available being a programme sold at the festival. Despite knowing the numbers attending, the print run of programmes was sold out.

The "Road To V" competition for 2006 was won by Bombay Bicycle Club and Keith.

V2007

The line-up for V Festival 2007 was revealed on Virgin Radio on Monday 26 February 2007 and tickets went on sale on 1 March.

The line-up was as follows:

Amy Winehouse was supposed to play but cancelled due to admittance into rehab. She was replaced by Happy Mondays. Babyshambles were four hours late for their set at Weston Park after being held up by traffic. Robyn replaced The Bravery.

V2008

DayV Stage4Music StageJJB Champion ArenaVirgin Mobile UnionSessions Stage
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayMuse Stereophonics The Kooks Maxïmo Park Lostprophets Alanis Morissette The Futureheads Michael Franti and SpearheadThe Prodigy The Pigeon Detectives Newton Faulkner The Hoosiers Duffy Amy Macdonald The Hold Steady Shed Seven Air TrafficIan Brown The Pogues Michelle Bateman Jamie T The Twang Sugababes Estelle David Jordan The Script The Presets RoyworldRichard Hawley Sia Siouxsie Sioux Will Young The Long Blondes Roots Manuva The Dykeenies Paul Heaton Tokyo Police Club Beth Rowley The Like Runaway SonsCarbon/Silicon Infadels Bryn Christopher Team Waterpolo One Eskimo Julian Velard Gary Go Iglu & Hartly Sparkadia The Troubadours
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayThe Verve Kings of Leon Amy Winehouse Lenny Kravitz The Feeling Girls Aloud Squeeze The Stranglers Gay DadKaiser Chiefs The Zutons The View Reverend and the Makers Scouting For Girls OneRepublic The Courteeners Delays The Rifles The RebsThe Chemical Brothers The Charlatans Hot Chip Travis Calvin Harris Robyn Sam Sparro Alphabeat Gabriella Cilmi Taio Cruz CaptainThe Guillemots Echo & the Bunnymen The Young Knives Little Man Tate Tom Baxter Drive-By Truckers Goldie Lookin' Chain Jack McManus Passenger Noah and the Whale Sam BeetonSugaRush Beat Company Attic Lights Emmanuel Jal Magistrates The New York Fund The Dodos Das Pop Animal Kingdom Arno Carstens The Rushes Sons of Albion

Tickets went on general sale on 7 March 2008 at 10am, and sold out in 90 minutes.

On 26 June 2008 at 10am, extra tickets for both venues went on sale.[citation needed]

V2009

4music stage

Tickets for V 2009 went on general sale on 6 March 2009. A limited number of tickets went on sale at 10am on 19 August 2008, following the end of the 2008 festival. Weekend tickets were priced at £132.50 (no camping) and £152.50 (with camping) for the weekend. On 2 March 2009 NME confirmed The Killers and Oasis as headliners. However, Oasis did not perform in Chelmsford due to frontman Liam Gallagher having viral laryngitis, as a result Snow Patrol filled in for the band. Oasis split-up as a band just a few days later, making their Staffordshire show their last until their reunion tour more than 16 years later.

The event was held on 22 & 23 August 2009.

DayV Stage4Music StageThe ArenaVirgin Media Union
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayThe Killers Taylor Swift The Specials Lily Allen The Script Vulcan Razorlight Starsailor McFlyFatboy Slim Pendulum The Ting Tings The Wombats Dizzee Rascal The Noisettes Red Light Company Jet Mr Hudson Underline the Sky2ManyDJs Calvin Harris Happy Mondays The Saturdays Will Young Ladyhawke N-Dubz Asher Roth Tinchy Stryder Pixie Lott Carolina Liar Matt TrakkerPete Doherty Alphabeat The Sunshine Underground Howling Bells Pete Murray Goldie Lookin Chain VV Brown Kid British Raygun Wallis Bird Zarif Exit Calm
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayOasis Snow Patrol Elbow James Biffy Clyro James Morrison Ocean Colour Scene Björn AgainKeane The Enemy Paolo Nutini Katy Perry Athlete Alesha Dixon The Proclaimers The Lightning Seeds The King Blues The Last RepublicMGMT Lady Gaga The Streets The Human League Lemar Natalie Imbruglia Daniel Merriweather Sneaky Sound System Ben's Brother The BlizzardsBritish Sea Power The Twang Mystery Jets Gary Go Seth Lakeman Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong Miike Snow Vagabond Iain Archer The Gay Blades One Eskimo

V2010

The 2010 lineup for V Festival was officially announced on 11 March 2010 through the festival's site and on Absolute Radio. The headliners for both days were Kings of Leon and Kasabian. Tickets went on sale on 5 March 2010 at 9am, with Virgin Media customers pre-sale tickets being available on 2 March, and Essex residents tickets being available on 4 March from 9am. General sale tickets became available at 9am on 5 March 2010. Organisers said they sold out in record time, just one and a half hours. Cheryl Cole was supposed to headline the Arena but had to cancel due to Malaria.

DayV Stage4Music StageNissan Juke ArenaVirgin Media Union
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayKings of Leon Stereophonics Paul Weller The Coral Editors The Courteeners Passion Pit FeederDavid Guetta Florence and the Machine White Lies Scouting for Girls The Temper Trap Newton Faulkner Paloma Faith The Divine Comedy (Solo) The Magic Numbers Daisy Dares You The Pretty RecklessGroove Armada Chase & Status Ellie Goulding Robyn Jason Derulo Tinie Tempah The Hoosiers Joshua Radin Hurts Gabriella Cilmi Diagram of the HeartThe Charlatans Tricky Mark Lanegan Paul Heaton Matt and Kim Eli 'Paperboy' Reed The Parlotones Lissie Goldie Lookin Chain Alex Gardner The High Wire Chew Lips White Belt Yellow Tag
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayKasabian(HL) Faithless The Kooks Paolo Nutini Madness Seasick Steve Skunk Anansie Pixie LottThe Prodigy Doves Calvin Harris Jamie T Eels Amy Macdonald Shed Seven Plan B The Saw Doctors Professor Green Matthew PPet Shop Boys Mika Goldfrapp La Roux Sugababes Kate Nash Chipmunk Diana Vickers Example Peter Andre Tiffany PageAir Imogen Heap Frightened Rabbit Cherry Ghost Rox Sarah Blasko Kirsty Almeida Eliza Doolittle Detroit Social Club Jack McManus Joe Brooks The Boy Who Trapped the Sun Joe Brooks Rachel Furner

Line Up according to the official V Festival programme.

V2011

DayVirgin Media Stage4Music StageBig Blue TentVirgin Media Undercover Stage
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayArctic Monkeys Plan B Kaiser Chiefs Lostprophets Bruno Mars KT Tunstall Ziggy Marley Fun Lovin' CriminalsDizzee Rascal Razorlight Tinie Tempah Jessie J Example Olly Murs Cast Kids In Glass Houses Aloe Blacc Big Country KassidyChase & Status Glasvegas Katy B Professor Green Chipmunk Kele Okereke Labrinth Clare Maguire Wretch 32 Twenty Twenty Wiz KhalifaGoldie Lookin' Chain Gomez The Airborne Toxic Event Chromeo Yasmin The Enemy Frankmusik Beardyman Maverick Sabre Alex Winston Parade Alice Gold Morcheeba
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayEminem Rihanna The Script Manic Street Preachers Scouting For Girls Ellie Goulding Squeeze Imelda MayPendulum Primal Scream (*) The Courteeners The Wombats N-Dubz Good Charlotte You Me At Six Ocean Colour Scene Noisettes D12 The KnuxCalvin Harris Mark Ronson & The Business Intl Big Audio Dynamite Hurts The Saturdays Eliza Doolittle The Wanted Dionne Bromfield Chiddy Bang Hanson (band) SlaughterhouseJaguar Skills I Am Kloot Stornoway Bellowhead The Pierces Fenech-Soler Hard Fi The Mummers Kitty Daisy & Lewis Fitz and the Tantrums Morning Parade Emma's Imagination Wolf Gang
  • Pendulum headlined the 4Music stage but Primal Scream closed the stage.

V2012

The final line-up for V Festival 2012 was announced on Tuesday 7 August. In contrast to previous years, some tickets remained on sale until the week of the festival.

Nicki Minaj cancelled her appearance at this weekend's festival because of damage to her vocal cords. LMFAO was moved up to headliner spot whilst DJ Fresh performed in LMFAO's place.

In the week running up to V Festival both Frank Ocean and Dappy were removed from the line up due to undisclosed reasons, they were replaced by The Charlatans and Wiley.

Performers such as Sean Lock and Milton Jones appeared in The Glee Club Comedy Tent.

Pop Artist was appointed Official Artist to the V Festival. The first person to be appointed in 16 years of the Festival.[failed verification]

DayVirgin Media Stage4Music StageThe Arena StageVirgin Media Undercover Stage
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayThe Stone Roses Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Example Keane James Morrison Emeli Sandé Rodrigo Y Gabriela The ProclaimersDavid Guetta Friendly Fires Ben Howard Rizzle Kicks Labrinth Maverick Sabre The Charlatans Reverend and the Makers Inspiral Carpets The TwangEd Sheeran Professor Green Gossip Sub Focus Newton Faulkner The Ting Tings Wretch 32 Childish Gambino Jack Beats Cover Drive AngelPropaganda DJ's Delilah Niki and the Dove Ren Harvieu Tim Minchin Devlin Dot Rotten Marlon Roudette Aiden Grimshaw Gabrielle Aplin Random Impulse Juan Zelada
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayThe Killers Snow Patrol Tinie Tempah Tom Jones Madness Olly Murs Tulisa The StranglersNicki Minaj LMFAO Noah and the Whale Frank Turner The Enemy Miles Kane Shed Seven The Feeling The Rifles DodgyNero Happy Mondays Pixie Lott The Human League Cher Lloyd Frank Ocean Beverley Knight DJ Fresh Rita Ora Stooshe LawsonAustralian Pink Floyd The Milk All The Young Bo Bruce Minus The Bear Gentleman's Dub Club Josh Osho Conor Maynard Mull Historical Society Selah Sue Lonsdale Boys Club Nneka Josh Kumra

V Festival 2013

At the 2013 V Festival, Beyoncé made only her second and third European festival appearances of the calendar year. The other main stage headliner was Kings Of Leon, with headliners on other stages including Jamie Cullum, Basement Jaxx and former Swedish House Mafia DJ Steve Angello.

For the 2013 festival, one stage was renamed: the stage previously known as 'Virgin Media Undercover Tent' now became known as 'Futures Stage'. A poster released by the organisers initially seemed to suggest that the stage previously known as '4Music Stage' had been renamed as 'Stage 2', leading to speculation that Channel 4 had ended their sponsorship of the event, however a revised version of the poster released later reinstated the original name of the stage.

Multiple changes were made to the bill in the days leading up to the festival. Beady Eye were scheduled to headline opposite Beyoncé on the 4Music Stage, however they had to cancel all live shows through August 2013 because of the hospitalisation of member Gem Archer. Thus, their headlining slot on the 4Music Stage was taken over by Steve Angello, whose own previous headlining slot on The Arena Stage was taken over by Ocean Colour Scene. Ocean Colour Scene had themselves previously been scheduled to play an earlier timeslot on the main stage on the opposite day - that slot was taken over by Scouting For Girls, whose previous slot on the 4Music Stage was in turn taken over by previously unannounced act Reverend and The Makers. In unrelated developments, Little Mix were removed from the line-up for undisclosed reasons, and their fellow The X Factor winner James Arthur also cancelled his appearance the very day before the festival, citing a throat infection. Finally, on the official V Festival lanyard offered to festival attendees upon their arrival on site, it was confirmed that four previously unannounced acts had been added to the Futures Stage - these were James Bay, Hero Fisher, Gamu Nhengu and Paul McCartney's son James McCartney.[citation needed]

The majority of the line-up, with day and stage splits, was announced on 30 May 2013. With the Comedy Stage line-up announced later, as well as the changed outlines above, the full bill ended up as follows:

DayVirgin Media Stage4Music StageThe Arena StageFutures StageGlee Club Comedy Tent
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayBeyoncé The Script Jessie J Two Door Cinema Club Paloma Faith James Deacon Blue The FratellisSteve Angello The Courteeners Fun. Labrinth Of Monsters & Men Maverick Sabre Lissie Conor Maynard The Pigeon DetectivesOcean Colour Scene DJ Fresh/Live Travis Mark Owen Katy B Jessie Ware Netsky Live! Gabrielle Aplin Idris Elba Nina Nesbitt K-KokeBenjamin Francis Leftwich Monsta Misha B Hoffmaestro Sam Smith Tori Kelly A*M*E Goldie Lookin' Chain Nell Bryden Ed Drewett Moya Silhouette Vox EmpireEddie Izzard Josh Widdicombe Shappi Korsandi Katherine Ryan Andrew Bird David Fulton Eddy Brimson Danny Slim Gray Suzi Ruffell Andrew Ryan Nathan Caton Justin Moorhouse MC: Mark Olver
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayKings of Leon Stereophonics Emeli Sande The Vaccines Olly Murs Jason Mraz Scouting For Girls The SaturdaysCalvin Harris Rita Ora Kendrick Lamar Maxïmo Park Rudimental Seasick Steve Tom Odell Reverend & The Makers The Heavy LawsonBasement Jaxx Jaguar Skills Ellie Goulding Eels Lianne La Havas McFly Everything Everything Laura Mvula John Newman 5ive The Original RudeboysJamie Cullum Naughty Boy Lewis Watson The Skints Lucy Spraggan Diana Vickers James Skelly & The Intenders Exit Calm James Bay James McCartney Hero Fisher GamuJon Richardson Paul Chowdhry Rob Beckett Andrew O'Neill Ricky Grover Imran Yusuf Joel Dommett Mark Simmons Elis James Fredrik Andersson Peter Johansson Angela Barnes MC: Kevin McCarthy

V Festival 2014

The 2014 V Festival was the first to be staged with the new shareholders Live Nation and new broadcaster and sponsor MTV, took place over the weekend of 16–17 August 2014. The main stage headliners were Justin Timberlake and The Killers, as announced at 8pm on Monday 3 March 2014, with tickets on general release the following Friday morning. Other high-profile bookings included Paolo Nutini and Ed Sheeran, who had between them released the two biggest-selling albums of the year up to the festival, and festival debutants included Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Janelle Monáe and Kodaline.[citation needed]

DayVirgin Media StageMTV StageThe Arena StageFutures StageGlee Club Comedy Tent
Hylands Park Saturday / Weston Park SundayJustin Timberlake Ed Sheeran Example Bastille Kaiser Chiefs Tom Odell Kodaline The StranglersElbow Manic Street Preachers** Blondie Miles Kane The Wailers - performing Legend in full John Newman Pixie Lott George Ezra Starsailor The RiflesAlesso Above & Beyond Janelle Monáe The Human League Sophie Ellis-Bextor James Arthur Foxes Kiesza All Saints Fuse ODGAlex Clare Birdy Hoodie Allan The Strypes Icona Pop Josh Record Neon Trees To Kill A King Dan CrollAlan Carr Paul Chowdhry Dapper Laughs Jimmy McGhie* Andrew Bird* Jarlath Regan Dave Fulton** Ben Hurley John Fothergill Dave Twentyman* Jim Smallman** Boothby Graffoe MC: Kevin McCarthy
Hylands Park Sunday / Weston Park SaturdayThe Killers Paolo Nutini Lily Allen Rudimental Chic feat. Nile Rodgers Train Newton Faulkner M People The SaturdaysAxwell Λ Ingrosso Tinie Tempah Jason Derulo Rizzle Kicks Katy B Childish Gambino Sam Smith Aloe Blacc The Wonder Stuff SheppardChase & Status (DJ Set) Sub Focus Rita Ora Ceelo Green Nina Nesbitt Ella Eyre Jess Glynne Neon JungleEmbrace Howling Bells Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott Vance Joy The Magic Numbers Becky Hill Chloe Howl James BayAdam Hills Rob Beckett Andrew Maxwell Geoff Norcott** Phil Nichol Pat Cahill Matt Reed Peter White Matt Richardson Keith Farnan Andrew Askins Steve Gribbin MC: Charlie Baker

* Hylands Park only

**Weston Park Only

Manic Street Preachers had to cancel their show at Chelmsford due to being delayed in Budapest, Hungary at the airport after the Sziget Festival.

V Festival 2015

Lineup

Saturday 22 August - Hylands Park / Sunday 23 August - Weston ParkSaturday 22 August - Weston Park / Sunday 23 August - Hylands Park
Line-up
Virgin Media Stage
Kasabian Sam Smith Hozier The Courteeners Annie Mac James Bay Marina and the Diamonds Imelda MayCalvin Harris The Script Ellie Goulding George Ezra The Kooks Ella Henderson Gregory Porter The Proclaimers
MTV Stage
Olly Murs Tom Jones Chvrches Labrinth Jess Glynne Mark Ronson Fuse ODG Reverend and the Makers Bleachers The CoronasStereophonics Clean Bandit Kodaline The Charlatans Sigma Maverick Sabre Ella Eyre Echo & the Bunnymen Scouting for Girls Hilltop Hoods
Sure Arena
Nero Andy C Example + DJ Wire Pendulum Tove Lo MNEK Aston Merrygold Sinead Harnett SeafretPaloma Faith Jessie Ware Duke Dumont De La Soul LunchMoney Lewis Nick Jonas Wretch 32 Conor Maynard Lawson Indiana
The Dance Tent
Hannah Wants Alex Adair DJ EZ MistaJam Monki My Nu Leng Sam FeldtOliver Heldens Goldie Marvin Humes presents LuvBug Moxie Philip George Toddla T
The Glee Club Comedy Tent
Frankie Boyle Russell Kane Nick Helm Seann Walsh Shappi Khorsandi Gary Delaney

V Festival 2016

Lineup

Saturday 20 August - Hylands Park / Sunday 21 August - Weston ParkSaturday 20 August - Weston Park / Sunday 21 August - Hylands Park
Line-up
Justin Bieber Sia Zara Larsson Bastille Jess Glynne Troye Sivan DNCE Stormzy Rita Ora Mike Posner John Newman James Morrison Faithless Tinie Tempah Flight Facilities Foxes DJ EZRihanna David Guetta Little Mix Kaiser Chiefs Years & Years Lukas Graham Example Katy B Craig David Travis Big Sean Sigma All Saints Fleur East Jake Bugg Tchami Lethal Bizzle

Most of the line up was released on 22 February 2016.

V Festival 2017

The 2017 V Festival Line Up was announced on 31 March 2017 with more acts added on 2 April 2017 and the full lineup poster on 20 April.

Lineup

Saturday 19 August - Hylands Park / Sunday 20 August - Weston ParkSaturday 19 August - Weston Park / Sunday 20 August - Hylands Park
Line-up
Virgin Media Stage
Pink Craig David Jess Glynne George Ezra Madness James Arthur Ella Eyre BustedJay Z Ellie Goulding Stormzy Emeli Sande Jason Derulo Clean Bandit Jack Savoretti Scouting For Girls
Second Stage
Rudimental Sean Paul Sigma Anne-Marie Jonas Blue The Vamps Calum Scott Hey VioletPete Tong Dizzee Rascal The Wombats Krept and Konan JP Cooper Raye The Wailers Giggs
JBL Dance Arena
Steve Aoki Galantis Don Diablo Sigala Alan Walker Digital Farm Animals Lost KingsGorgon City Hannah Wants Example & DJ Wire Disciples Fred V & Grafix Toddla T Tom Zanetti Jama Supernova
The Glee Comedy Tent
Joel Dommett Lee Nelson Seann Walsh Scott Bennett Inel TomlinsonJoe Lycett The Rubberbandits Dave Hill Michael Fabbri Rob Deering

V Festival 2020

The 2020 V Festival was announced, alongside the headliners, on 5 August 2020. However, this festival went on hiatus caused by COVID-19 pandemic and a virtual one was held in its place, with performances from the festival's sets being broadcast by ITV2.

Lineup

Friday 21 August - Hylands ParkSaturday 22 August - Hylands ParkSunday 23 August - Hylands Park
Line-up
Virgin Media Stage
Olly Murs Izzy BizuDizzee Rascal Maisie PetersAnne-Marie Donel Mae Muller

Criticisms and reputation

The festival was noted for its commercial nature in comparison with other British music festivals. The V Festival received criticism for charging £10 to buy a programme - the only way festival-goers can see what time artists are performing - while others have mentioned the fact burgers cost £7 and water bottles are sometimes confiscated at the entrance, costing up to £2 once inside the grounds.[citation needed] Buying four crates on site would cost a person the same price as a ticket. Some fans have referred to the organisers of the event as 'greedy'.

Despite this, the New Statesman argues that the commercial nature has some advantages: "Yet there are undeniable advantages to the [commercial] environment. V is a remarkably non-threatening festival, with few of the rougher edges prevalent at other large-scale gatherings."

The Evening Standard gave the 2009 festival 3/5 stars after headliners Oasis pulled out of the Hylands Park leg of the festival due to illness. Furthermore, approximately 800 people were injured, mainly due to falls causing sprains and ankle injuries.

In 2012, during Cher Lloyd's performance, the crowd booed and a bottle filled with urine was thrown at her, causing Lloyd to walk off stage. She came back on to finish her set but another bottle was thrown and she ended her set early.

See also

External links