Of course, I don't spend a lot of time at the Main Stage area, what with the bands there being truly awful, but there was no doubt I was going to make an exception on Saturday.
This was pretty much the best view I'd ever had at the main stage at V in 8 years - I think I was 3 or 4 people back from the barrier. This probably helped in saying that this was the best performance I'd seen on that stage in that time too.
Probably the 6th or 7th time I have see TDC as well and the first for a few years. They are a fantastic live band and have really hit form now they are back to doing what they do best.
Here's a looked-better-at-the-time video of Something For The Weekend, the song that started many people's love affairs with the band (via Chris Evans on Radio 1) TEN YEARS AGO now.
This was fantastic news, not because I don't like getting wet, but because when it rains, the tents at festivals are full of people sheltering and not watching the band, ignorantly yakking with their back to the stage, while people who actually want to see them end up sitting outside on the grass next to the bins and the people pissing up the walls.
As a result I was able to see the Upper Room, Art Brut (who were the best I'd ever seen them), and for the first time, and equally excellent, the Young Knives.
Here's a video of the new single, WABD(HS), just in case you weren't standing next to me at the front.
Poor old bastard, he didn't look good last night on the telly, did he. I really hope he does pull through, because if there's one thing I hate more than drugs and people acting like arseholes while on drugs, it's our scum of the earth media like the Mirror and the Mail waiting for Pete Doherty to die, and I'd rather we all pissed on their fires on a regular basis.
A relatively new band, not going quite as long as I thought. They are from LA but are gigging quite a lot in the UK - three times in London this week.
The Metro Club show on Wednesday was the first time I saw them and I was really impressed with the quality of the songs, including the current single, Suspicious Character, which you can see here:
Their blog is highly recommend. Just to call it "the insane ramblings of a madman" really doesn't do it justice. For example the Metro Club gig was described thus:
The Metro is pretty fucking great. Like, pour-yourself- a-glass-of-fine-red-wine-rub-satsuma-scented-lotion-all-over-your-body-no-time-for- kissing-no-need-for-protection-take-you-on-as-a-lover-and-your-friend-can- come-too, that kind of great. (The lotion must be checked-in and packed in the hull, it's not allowed in the passenger cabin, okay?) The band was on fire, and people brought me belated birthday presents. I could live in last night's show at the Metro, methinks. I'd have to make sure it had central heating and air-conditioning first, though. Also, a bathtub.
Which must be a polite way of calling it a steaming hot shithole of a sweatbox. Every band I have seen there have been on massive top form though, so I have a grudging respect for the place which obviously brings out the best in people.
Nothing to do with music but there is no way I am going to ignore this story
Bladder alert lost in translation
Safety message in English or health warning in Welsh? Cyclists were left confused by a bilingual road sign telling them they had problems with an inflamed bladder. The "cyclists dismount" sign between Penarth and Cardiff became "llid y bledren dymchwelyd" in Welsh - literally "bladder inflammation upset" (or tip or overturn).
The Vale of Glamorgan Council said new signs were being made.
It is possible that an online translation led to confusion between cyclists and cystisis.
The temporary sign at roadworks is to be replaced.
Welsh-speaking cyclist Matt Lloyd, 27, said: "When I read the sign I thought someone was having a laugh. I've never even had a bladder disease."
Welsh language expert Owain Sgiv told the South Wales Echo: "It certainly does not mean anything like cyclists dismount."
A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council's highways department said: "A mistake has been made and we are investigating.
"Amended signs are being made and will be put up as soon as possible".
