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Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August, Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire
Way Ahead:
Tickets: from £66, plus £4.40 bkg fee (postage £1.50) [Buy]
First Call:
Tickets: from £66, plus £5 bkg fee (registered postage £4.20) [Buy]
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Now in its fifth year, V2000 continues to offer an all-encompassing crossover package of fine rock and dance stars, with line-ups alternating between Chelmsford and its northern counterpart of Weston Park, Staffordshire. Many acts who’ve played in past years, have returned in mightier guise - like main stage headliners Travis, or pop foursome All Saints (who made their live début at V98).
ATMOSPHERE:
Upbeat young crowds (and a fair few families), who lap up the musical varieties on the outdoor stages, and in the dance tent. This year’s line-up’s especially strong, with less MOR moments than in previous festivals. The facilities are reliably decent - even the food’s pretty good! - and the sites seem well-prepared for different weather conditions. Chart-friendly music is the main attraction here - although there’s the usual market stall/bungee-jump kind of distractions, too. Best of all, the natural slope of Chelmsford’s outdoor arenas means that it’s not too difficult to get a good view of the stage.
DON’T MISS:
V2000 really is one of those festivals where everything seems to be happening at the same time - so you end up catching 20 minutes of each set. Relax, and enjoy what you do get to see. Richard Ashcroft’s solo performance is certainly much-anticipated, and despite Darren Emerson’s recent departure from the band, Underworld are brilliant festival stalwarts. Expect something deliciously quirky from Moloko, something energising from Moby, something flamboyant from soulstress Macy Gray... and if the outdoor stages don’t move you, the beats are always pumping in the dance tent (although you might have to queue to get in when it’s busy) and party bars.
HANDY HINTS:
With the wide open spaces of the Chelmsford site, be prepared for the elements, whatever they are - pack your anorak and sunblock.
TICKETS:
Weekend tickets cost £76 including camping, £66 without.
Day tickets cost £37.50 each (excluding camping).
CC: 0115 912 9115 or 020 7287 0932 (Chelmsford).
INFO:
www.gigsandtours.com
GETTING THERE:
CHELMSFORD:
By train: Fast, frequent services (and late returns)from Liverpool St station to Chelmsford (Rail info: 0345 484950), where a free shuttle bus transports you to and from the site.
By road: Take the M11 east via the North Circular Rd. It’s also accessible from the A12 or M25. On-site parking available.
STAFFORDSHIRE:
By Train: Weekend camping ticket holders for the Weston Park site will be able to travel there free on Virgin trains (info: 0115 912 9198). Services run from Euston to Stafford or Wolverhampton, where shuttlebuses will take you to Weston Park (£4 return).
By Road: Take junction 12 off the M6, and take the A5 towards Telford, then follow signs.
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Sat Chelmsford (Sun Staffordshire):
TRAVIS + MACY GRAY + OCEAN COLOUR SCENE + ALL SAINTS + UNDERWORLD + SUPERGRASS + MOLOKO + SEMISONIC + BLOODHOUND GANG + SAINT ETIENNE + ANDREAS JOHNSON + FLAMING LIPS + BOOTLEG BEATLES + MORCHEEBA + MANSUN + SOULWAX + HEFNER + MANCHILD + SASHA + HYBRID + SANDER KLEINBERG + LEE BURRIDGE + CRAIG RICHARDS
Sun Chelmsford (Sat Staffordshire):
RICHARD ASHCROFT + PAUL WELLER + JAMES + MOBY + KELIS + BARENAKED LADIES + BETH ORTON + DEATH IN VEGAS + GROOVE ARMADA + WEBB BROTHERS + TOPLOADER + MESCALEROS + DAY ONE + LSK + SEB FONTAINE + GUY ORNADEL + PETE BROMLEY
Also: FEEDER + JOE STRUMMER + DAVID GRAY
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