19 August 2001: V2001 Festival, Weston Park - V Stage, Stafford, England
From WikiColdplay
Setlist
- Shiver
- Spies
- Don’t Panic
- In My Place
- Yellow
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
- Everything’s Not Lost
Encore - Idiot
- Trouble
- Lost Highway (cover)
Media Reviews
If one thing makes the V festivals unique, it's the level of corporate sponsorship. Glastonbury may suffer from an unpredictable, near lawless atmosphere, but at least the crowd is not subjected to advertisements on huge screens between acts. But with the money comes the comfort of superb organization, and if you want an effortless festival-going experience in an incredibly safe environment (only three arrests made all weekend), the annual V festival is the one for you.
With more than 50 bands performing to 55,000 people on two separate sites over the course of last weekend (Aug. 18-19), V2001 is undoubtedly one of the year's most significant U.K. festivals. But unlike its rivals in Reading and Glastonbury, there wasn't a controversial artist in sight. With obvious links to Virgin Radio, the weekend's musical menu reads like a who's who of radio-friendly pop and rock with the likes of Texas, David Gray, Toploader, and Wheatus.
Amid Saturday's early afternoon sunshine came a dazzling performance by Nelly Furtado, warming the crowd with her obvious enthusiasm and a joyously haphazard version of Missy Elliott's "Get Your Freak On." She was followed by an equally crowd-pleasing set from Embrace. Although frontman Danny McNamara's vocal ability and stage presence have always been in doubt, the group's talent for anthems is indisputable, and the old single "All You Good Good People" found legions of fans happily singing along.
Tucked away in a tent that proved ridiculously small considering the lineup, London-based dance act Zero 7 delivered what was to be the weekend's most outstanding performance. Throughout a set that consisted mainly of tracks from its superb debut album, "Simple Things" (Ultimate Dilemma), the act showed why its has been hailed as the successor to such esteemed electro/rock outfits such as Air. With three vastly different but equally talented vocalists in Mozez, Sia Fuller, and Sophie Barker in tow, Zero 7's gorgeous, soulful set possessed a diversity and organic feel lacking among much of the other performances.
Coldplay's set provided the pivotal moment of the weekend, with the weather choosing to complement the group's penchant for the morose. The group drew one of the largest crowds of the event, joyously soaking up a stadium-friendly performance and an hour of torrential rain. Next up, the Charlatans had the unenviable task of performing to the much-depleted and incredibly moist and disheveled remnants of Coldplay's audience. But the valiant crowd enjoyed a marvelous set, with classics like "The Only One I Know" and fresh material such as new single "Love is the Key" reminding one and all why the group has remained vital throughout the past decade.
With the relentless rain making a considerable impact on morale, it was no surprise that the promise of glamour and shelter inspired a huge crowd to descend on the JJB tent for antipodean pop princess Kylie Minogue. With her high-energy dance act involving a stage brimming with dancers bedecked in an array of outfits, Minogue provided the perfect distraction from the sodden horrors outside.
As oppressive rain lasted well into Sunday afternoon, the second day kicked off with a sterling set by Turin Brakes. Despite the poor sound quality from the Wembley TV stage, which dispelled any hope of actually hearing the bass, the group's stirring, acoustic-driven performance was highlighted by the single "Under Dog."
Dance act Rae & Christian kept the beat-hungry crowd moving after Red Snapper's second brilliant performance of the weekend, while Starsailor's weak display seemed almost incidental. Gray proved a hugely popular choice, with the artist seeming simultaneously shocked and delighted by the attendance and reception to his perfectly delivered chain of hits, especially "Babylon."
Following a vigorous set by the Foo Fighters, the climax rightly came with the most anticipated act of the weekend. With its blend of funk and hard rock, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have inspired many imitators and a whole (not so) nu-metal movement, but none of the second-wave acts can match their mentors for pure energy and songwriting ability.
Ironically, at the most middle-of-the-road festival in the U.K., it took two U.S acts finishing of the event in style to remind us what the outdoor live experience is really supposed to be about: atmosphere, excitement, and great music; not advertisements, hoards of security guards, and endless corporate logos.
Christopher Barrett
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews/live_review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1020079
