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V Festival 2012 latest news and line-up info

A big chunk of this year’s V festival line-up has been announced. After last year’s smorgasbord of delights for fans of rap, urban and R&B – headliners included Rhianna and Eminem – the bookers went for indie and rock this year for the main acts.

But B&S readers are still spoiled for choice, with a tasty array of R&B and urban acts on offer across four stages at the two sites this year.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August are dates for your diary.

Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Stafford. General tickets went on sale at 10am on Friday 2nd March and sold out the very same day. No Glastonbury this year, so this is gonna be the summer festival to be at.

Well run, fairly low crime rates and pretty reasonable prices for tickets, camping, food and drink make this annual festival a great way to spend a weekend. An eclectic mix of music on offer, and always some surprises. The celebs out in force wandering the site and hob-knobbing in the VIP areas. Last year the weather was kind, with almost no rain at all over the two day extravaganza.

Nicki Minaj will no doubt be in outrageous garb to tantalise fans and photographers at both sites. Ace DJ David Guetta is booked. Tinie Tempah was an absolute triumph last year, and he’s back. Hot property Ed Sheeran gets a gig.

Example returns for a second year running. Soulful chart star James Morrison will be treating fans to tracks from his cracking new CD “The Awakening,” when he hits the stage. Watch out for the track that is sure to get the crowd bopping: “Slave To The Music.” I predict a big hit for him, if he releases that track and in time for the festivals.

Also back again this year is Maverick Sabre, after house full signs last year in the massive marquee he packed. Hopefully on a bigger outdoor stage this time. He will be plugging his debut CD, “Lonely Are The Brave," which peaked at number two in the UK album chart. Professor Green and Labrinth also both make a welcome return.

Flavour of the month Emeli Sande is there. Brighton duo Rizzle Kicks are up for it. Dappy turns up solo. DJ Fresh will get the joint jumpin’.
Frank Ocean is an act worth checking out, and he is sure to become one of the highlights of the weekend. As will Nero.

The newly re-formed Stone Roses and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline Hylands Park on the Saturday and Weston Park on the Sunday. The Killers and Snow Patrol top the bill at Stafford on Saturday and Chelmsford, Sunday. Nostalgia may not be what it used to be, but also recently re-formed, The Happy Mondays, will be Manc-ing it up with their Stone Roses mates, no doubt.

Veteran Welsh crooner Tom Jones will be telling the crowd they can keep their hat on. Stepping back in time again, we have The Stranglers, Inspiral Carpets, Shed Seven, The Proclaimers, The Human League, and Madness.

Pop star Olly Murs gets the invite to come back for a second year. Pixie Lott will be spreading her pop joy. Last year, one of the secret gigs was from The Enemy and they are back, this time on the advertised billing. Noah and the Whale, Keane, Friendly Fires, the fabulous Ting Tings, The Rifles, Ben Howard, Frank Turner, Miles Kane, Lissie and the stunning acoustic guitar Rodrigo Y Gabriela, all early acts announced as part of the 2012 line-up.

There are still more than 40 acts to be announced for the four stages at both sites. There are always surprise guests and a few unannounced “secret” gigs, so it’s gonna get exciting again, no doubt.

We will bring you news of further additions to the line-ups very soon. Blues & Soul Magazine will once again be bringing you full coverage of the relevant acts, with reviews and photographs from the two days of V Festival – on stage and backstage - on this website and in the magazine, same as we did last year.

Each site has a capacity of circa 90,000, and camping on-site.
Words SIMON REDLEY